How to Relieve Pain with Terpenes
If you’re looking for a natural alternative for pain relief, consider using terpenes. Terpenes are the aromatic molecules that give cannabis and other plants their distinctive smells. However, they have far more to offer than simply their scent. Terpenes also have potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects that can help to relieve pain.
Every year, 10% of the world’s population suffers from chronic pain. Depending on the person, symptoms of pain can fluctuate from mild and irritating to debilitating and life-threatening.
In this article, we will discuss how to use terpenes for pain relief and some of the most popular terpenes for this purpose.
How Can Terpenes Help?
There are many different ways that terpenes can help to relieve pain. One way is by working synergistically with cannabis to provide what is known as the Entourage Effect. This is when the various compounds in cannabis work together to produce a more significant impact than any one of them could on their own.
Cannabis contains hundreds of compounds, including terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids. These compounds all interact with each other to produce a wide range of effects, the entourage effect is one of the most well-known examples of this interaction.
However, isolated terpenes have potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on their own, and do not need to be combined with cannabis to be effective.
Which Terpenes Work?
There are a variety of terpenes that can provide pain relief. Some of the most popular ones include:
Beta Caryophyllene
This is a top choice for chronic pain sufferers because it can synergize with cannabis to provide the entourage effect. It can also work independently and still offers anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, through binding to cannabinoid receptors. During this process, beta caryophyllene has been shown to stimulate our own body’s release of endorphins, which act as natural painkillers within our bodies.
Myrcene
This terpene is often used for its analgesic effects and can provide feelings of sedation. It can help to relieve both acute and chronic pain. Myrcene is also a popular choice for those who suffer from insomnia because it can help promote restfulness and decrease discomfort.
Considered by many to be the “couch-lock” terpene, myrcene is commonly recommended for evening use to help ease muscle and joint pain before bed.
Linalool
This calming terpene is found in many different plants, including lavender. It has a strong floral scent and is known for its relaxation properties. In addition, linalool can help to relieve pain by reducing inflammation.
Its anti-anxiety properties also make it a popular choice for people who suffer from conditions such as chronic pain, which can lead to anxiety and stress.
Alpha Pinene / Beta Pinene
Pinene is the most common and abundant natural terpene found in the entire world. These terpenes are found in pine needles and herbs such as dill and rosemary. Pinene has a fresh pine and herbaceous scent. Popular for daytime use, this terpene helps to boost focus while relieving inflammation. Pinene is also an analgesic, making it a good choice for people suffering from pain.
Terpenes for Pain Relief During the Day
If you want to use terpenes during the day for pain relief, a terpene blend using pinene can allow for focus while still providing anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. This can be helpful for those who want to stay active while managing their pain. Include limonene and beta caryophyllene in your blend for additional pain relief. We suggest trying our custom Pain Relief terpene blend, which contains beta pinene, limonene, beta caryophyllene and eucalyptol. This invigorating blend smells fresh and clarifying. It contains a carefully selected blend of terpenes to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
Terpenes for Pain Relief at Night
If you want to use terpenes at night for pain relief, a blend including linalool and myrcene can help you to relax while still providing analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. This can be helpful for those who need relief from pain before bed and throughout the night. We suggest trying our custom Dream terpene blend, which contains both linalool and myrcene, along with other sedating/pain relieving terpenes: terpinolene, nerolidol and gamma terpinene. This soothing blend has a sedating floral and slightly spicy scent. It contains a carefully selected blend of terpenes to help promote sleep and relieve nighttime pain.
Since these terpenes can have strong sedating effects, try not to use them during the day as they can cause drowsiness.
How to Incorporate Terpenes for Pain Relief
Now that we’ve discussed some common terpenes for pain relief, let’s talk about how to use them.
There are many ways to use terpenes, including:
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is one of the most popular ways to use terpenes. You can add a few drops of terpenes to an oil diffuser, add to a shower steamer or to bathwater and inhale the vapor. This allows the terpenes to enter your lungs and bloodstream, providing relief throughout your body.
Massage Oils
Another popular way to use terpenes is by adding them to massage oils. This method allows you to inhale the vapor while also getting the benefits of a massage. The massaging action can help to increase blood flow and reduce inflammation in the muscles and joints.
Infuse Your Cannabis with Terpenes
When consuming cannabis, many people want to get the most out of their experience. One way to do this is by infusing your cannabis with terpenes. You can infuse your desired blend of terpenes into dried cannabis flower before smoking or vaporizing it. CannTerp has a unique, patent pending product which allows to you infuse your buds and tailor your cannabis experience. Try adding a BudBooster terpene infusion pearl in a sealed container with 3.5 grams of dried cannabis, infusion begins after just 1 hour and full infusion within 24 hours. The pearl is reusable, so it can then be stored in its airtight container for next use or added to a new batch of cannabis for infusion.
You can also add CannTerp terpenes to other cannabis products such as: beverages, edibles, oils, salves and topicals.
Boost Your Existing Oils
If you already have a favorite essential oil or carrier oil, you can add a few drops of terpenes to it. This can help enhance the effects of your existing oil while still providing pain relief. Food-grade terpenes can blend seamlessly in carrier oils with your favorite recipes.
Furthermore, terpenes can be a great way to customize your own pain relief mixture. By testing out different terpene blends, you can create a blend tailored to your specific needs.
Diluting Terpene Products
CannTerp terpenes are pure and never diluted, so they may cause irritation if used directly on the skin or inhaled in large amounts. Remember to dilute terpenes before using them, down to around 1-5% depending on the use.
When diluting terpenes, you can use a carrier oil such as coconut oil, olive oil or cannabis oil. Add a few drops of the desired terpenes to the carrier oil and then take as usual, use in your favourite recipes or even apply it to your skin.
Start with a low concentration and increase slowly as needed. It is also essential to test any new products on a small area of skin before using them over your entire body.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to pain relief, there are many different options available. Using terpenes can be a great natural option that provides many additional benefits.
If you decide to use terpenes, ensure to purchase high quality, natural terpenes from a reputable source, such as CannTerp. It is important to dilute your terpenes before using them and to start with a low concentration. By doing this, you can customize your own pain relief mixture and get the most out of your experience.
At CannTerp, we are a Canadian company dedicated to providing you with the highest quality terpene products for sale. If you’re looking for a great way to relieve pain, check out and buy our terpene selection today! We offer terpene isolates, terpene therapy blends and easy-to-use terpene infusion pearls.