In this episode, Catherine M. Cahill, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA Brain Research Institute, delves into the fascinating world of terpenes—natural aromatic compounds found in cannabis and other plants—and their potential therapeutic effects, especially for pain relief. Join us as Dr. Cahill shares her expertise on the mechanisms, research findings, and regulatory status of these promising molecules.es.

Key Topics Covered:

• The basic chemistry and role of terpenes andterpenoids in plants
• How terpenes differ from cannabinoids like THCand CBD
• The most studied terpenes in pain relief:myrcene and beta-caryophyllene
• Preclinical evidence for terpene analgesiceffects in nerve and inflammatory pain
• The endogenous cannabinoid system and howterpenes may modulate it
• Evidence for sex differences in terpene responseand receptor distribution
• The regulatory status of terpenes as foodadditives and their availability
• Emerging research on terpene interactions withother cannabinoids
• Potential for opioid-sparing effects andreducing adverse outcomes

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to cannabisterpenes and their therapeutic promise

02:30 – Basic chemistry: what areterpenes and terpenoids?

06:00 – The role of terpenes inattracting pollinators and plant defense

09:30 – Key terpenes studied:myrcene and beta-caryophyllene

13:00 – How terpenes influence theendogenous cannabinoid system

15:45 – Differences betweenterpenes and cannabinoids

17:30 – Conditions potentiallybenefitting from terpene treatment and current research

21:00 – Preclinical findings:analgesic effects in nerve and inflammatory pain models

26:00 – Modulation of emotionalaspects of pain through the cannabinoid system

27:30 – The entourage effect: doterpenes enhance THC and CBD efficacy?

31:00 – Regulatory status andsafety of terpenes

34:00 – Sex differences andhormonal influences on terpene receptor expression

36:00 – Future directions:combination therapies and opioid-sparing potentials

38:00 – Final thoughts