TUCSON — Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences identified compounds from the Cannabis sativa plant that may offer a new way to treat fibromyalgia and post-surgical pain. The findings were published in Pharmacological Reports.

The study examined four terpenes: geraniol, linalool, beta-caryophyllene, and alpha-humulene. All four compounds produced substantial pain-relieving effects in mouse models of fibromyalgia and post-operative pain. Geraniol delivered the strongest results, followed by linalool, beta-caryophyllene, and alpha-humulene. Terpenes do not produce psychoactive effects, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.

John Streicher, a professor in the University of Arizona College of Medicine -- Tucson's Department of Pharmacology, said, "Our research is showing that terpenes are not a good option for reducing acute pain resulting from an injury, such as stubbing your toe or touching a hot stove; however, we are seeing significant reductions in pain when terpenes are used for chronic or pathological pain." He added, "This study was the first to investigate the impact of terpenes in preclinical models of fibromyalgia and post-operative pain and expand the scope of potential pain-relieving treatments using terpenes."

Fibromyalgia is estimated to affect up to 5% of the global population, according to research published in Healthcare (Basel) in 2023. Approximately 4 million adults in the United States have fibromyalgia, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health. "With fibromyalgia, there isn't much understanding of what the pain state is, and there are not a lot of great options for treating it," Streicher said.

Roughly 310 million major surgical procedures are performed worldwide each year, according to research published in the International Journal of Surgery in 2020. "Opioids do a good job controlling post-surgical pain, but they can cause constipation that can increase the chances of post-surgical complications such as adhesions," Streicher said. "We are always looking for better options, and this study suggests that terpenes could be a novel therapeutic for post-operative pain."

Todd Vanderah, director of the Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction at University of Arizona Health Sciences, said, "The research that is being done by Dr. Streicher's lab on terpenes and their potential to help those who suffer from chronic pain demonstrates the importance of basic research." He explained, "There are hundreds of unique chemicals that plants make, including the Cannabis plant, that are undiscovered." Vanderah added, "Nature is incredible at making unique chemical structures, and many of these chemicals are unknowns when it comes to their abilities to aid in human health, diseases and disorders." He cited semaglutide, sold under the brand name Ozempic, as an example: "A great current example is medication semaglutide, sold under the brand name Ozempic, which has a chemical structure that was isolated not from a plant, but from an animal that is prevalent in the Southwest, the Gila monster." He concluded, "These discoveries from natural products through research such as Dr. Streicher's can result in very useful medications."

The study's co-authors included Caleb Seekins, Alyssa Welborn, and Abigail Schwarz. Caleb Seekins is a former undergraduate biochemistry student now pursuing a medical degree at the College of Medicine -- Tucson. Alyssa Welborn earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2024. Abigail Schwarz completed her doctorate in Streicher's lab in 2024. Funding for the research was provided by the National Institutes of Health under award no. R01AT011517.

No independent assessment was available for this report.