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Goodbye to opioids: Scientists discover THC-free cannabis compound that could revolutionize chronic pain treatment and medicine

A change that can be very significant

Goodbye to opioids: Scientists discover THC-free cannabis compound that could revolutionize chronic pain treatment and medicine
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Cannabis is one of the most widely used products in medicine to combat the effects of pain in humans. Many experts often recommend its use for therapeutic purposes, although it is important to highlight the exponential growth of others such as opioids. However, these generate a dependence that many are wary of.

A group of scientists from the University of Health Sciences in Arizona recently published a study in Pharmacology Reports. They were surprised to find that cannabis terpenes could relieve chronic pain without the psychoactive effects of THC.

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Terpenes: The key to avoiding THC and fighting chronic pain

According to the findings, certain terpenes serve to significantly reduce fibromyalgia and post-surgical pain, although so far this has only been tested in animal studies. If this is confirmed in humans, medicine could experience a real breakthrough.

Goodbye to opioids: Scientists discover THC-free cannabis compound that could revolutionize chronic pain treatment and medicine

"Our research shows that terpenes are not a good option for reducing acute pain caused by injury, such as stubbing a toe or touching a hot stove; however, we are seeing significant reductions in pain when used for chronic or pathological pain," says Streicher, professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the aforementioned institution.

These terpenes are basically natural compounds whose mission is to give the distinctive aroma and flavor of the plant. Now, this terpene could play a crucial role in the development of drugs that relieve chronic pain and do not have the dreaded effects produced by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

"Our findings demonstrate that terpenes could be a viable therapeutic option for fibromyalgia pain, which could have a major impact and make a difference in an undertreated population," says Streicher.

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