Regarding the medicinal properties and therapeutic properties of Cannabis sativaThe unsolved mystery is whether there is a “encouragement effect” that relieves the pain of the whole plant more than any of its individual parts. A new study of the University of Arizona Health Sciences supports the theory of aide effects and is promising for pain treatments that require lower doses and lower doses of cannabis terpenes, which are part of the plant that provide flavor and aroma. We have found evidence to position it as a new target for side effects.

“Many people take cannabis and cannabinoids for pain,” said Dr. John Streicher, a senior researcher at the UArizona Health Sciences Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center and an associate professor of pharmacology at Tucson School of Medicine. I am. “We are interested in the concept of aide effect, with the idea that it may be possible to increase the moderate pain-relieving effect of THC rather than increasing the side effects of psychotropic drugs. You can have a good cure. “

Terpenes Aromatic compounds Found in many plants, it is a basic ingredient in essential oils. For example, terpene linalool gives lavender a unique floral scent. In addition to terpenes Cannabis sativa Contains naturally occurring compounds known as cannabinoids. The most well-known of these are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.

Researchers have found that cannabis terpenes alone mimic the effects of cannabinoids, including reduced sensation of pain. When combined with cannabinoids, the pain-relieving effect was amplified without increasing negative side effects. Paper, “Cannabis sativa Terpenes are cannabidioletic and selectively augment Cannabinoid Published in “Activities” Science report..

“In a way, it was unexpected,” said Dr. Strycher. “It was our first hypothesis, but we didn’t necessarily expect terpenes, these simple compounds found in multiple plants, to produce cannabinoid-like effects.”

The research team, including Dr. Stricher, former graduate student and lead author Dr. Justin Laving, former undergraduate researcher Ryan Hexel, and former postdoctoral fellow Dr. Atila Kereststes, focused on four cannabis terpenes. Geraniol, linalool, beta pinen. They evaluated each terpene alone and in combination with WIN55,212-2, a synthetic cannabinoid agonist that stimulates the body’s natural cannabinoid receptors.

When cannabinoids such as THC enter the body, they bind to one of the two cannabinoid receptors, the most abundant CB1R or CB2R. Receptors then activate neurons that affect physiological processes and behavior. In laboratory experiments, researchers found that, like THC, all four terpenes activate CB1R.

In a mouse model behavioral study, administration of all four terpenes individually reduced pain sensitivity, and at least three of the four classic cannabinoid side effects were decreased sensation of pain, decreased body temperature, exercise and catalepsy. It became clear that it was a freezing behavior related to catalepsy and psychotropic drugs. The effect of cannabinoids. When terpenes were combined with WIN55,212-2, researchers found that the sensation of pain was significantly reduced compared to terpenes or WIN55,212-2 alone. Terpenes/ Cannabinoid interactions in pain control.

Dr. Stricher’s ongoing research focuses on the use of terpenes in combination with opioids and certain types of cancer-related pain. His long-term goal is to use terpenes (generally recognized as safe by the US Food and Drug Administration) in combination with cannabinoids or opioids to develop dose reduction strategies that achieve the same level of dose. .. pain Relief with low dose medication and fewer side effects.