New Cannabis Discovery Could Ease Pain—Without the High

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted April 21, 2025

A few years ago, everywhere you turned, someone was talking about CBD.

The cannabis extract had exploded in popularity for everything from anxiety to inflammation to joint pain.

And while the CBD conversation continues, another cannabis compound is quietly making headlines. One that could—believe it or not—provide relief from all kinds of pain. Without the high. And without the devastating risks of opioids.

That compound? Terpenes—the aromatic oils that give cannabis (and many other plants) its signature scent.

But we’re not just talking fragrance here. According to new research, some of these terpenes may hold real pain-relieving power—the kind that could disrupt the opioid market and transform how we treat chronic pain.

Let’s take a closer look.

Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences tested four naturally occurring terpenes found in Cannabis sativa:

• Geraniol
• Linalool
• Beta-caryophyllene
• Alpha-humulene

Each one showed pain-relieving effects in lab models—and importantly, none produced a high or carried the serious risks associated with opioids.

These compounds activate different parts of the body’s endocannabinoid system, providing relief without interfering with the brain’s respiratory center (the reason opioids can cause deadly breathing problems).

In other words, these plant compounds may provide powerful relief without the risk of addiction or overdose.

It’s no secret that we’re facing a full-blown opioid epidemic.

According to the CDC, over 80,000 people died from opioid overdoses in 2022 alone. That’s more than the entire population of many small towns—gone, mostly from legally prescribed drugs that were supposed to help.

The truth is, we desperately need safer pain relief options. And as it turns out, some of the answers may have been hiding in plain sight—in plants we’ve known (and in some cases feared) for decades.

That’s part of what makes terpenes so exciting.

Unlike THC (the psychoactive compound in marijuana), these compounds aren’t mind-altering. And unlike opioids, they don’t suppress breathing or hook you into a cycle of dependency.

Even better? These compounds are found in more than just cannabis.

• Linalool also gives lavender its calming scent.
• Beta-caryophyllene is found in black pepper, oregano, and cloves.
• Alpha-humulene? You’ll find it in hops, sage, and ginseng.

That means we’re not just looking at one plant’s potential—we’re opening the door to a whole new class of natural, therapeutic options.

To be clear, human clinical trials are still needed. We’re in the early stages of research. But these findings are promising—and they point toward a safer, plant-based path forward.

Imagine a future where pain relief doesn’t come with a warning label. Where we no longer have to choose between suffering and side effects. Where chronic pain can be managed naturally, effectively—and without fear.

It’s a future that may not be as far off as we once thought.

And in Wednesday’s issue, I’ll dig even deeper—exploring how you can find safe, natural relief from chronic pain right now.

We’ll cover the most effective non-drug therapies and supplements already available… and the growing science behind them.

Stay tuned.

P.S. Your CBD questions answered here.

Source:
Seekins CA, Welborn AM, Schwarz AM, Streicher JM. Select terpenes from Cannabis sativa are antinociceptive in mouse models of post-operative pain and fibromyalgia via adenosine A2a receptors. Pharmacol Rep. 2025 Feb;77(1):172-181. doi: 10.1007/s43440-024-00687-1. Epub 2024 Dec 12. PMID: 39663308.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More By Dr. Scott Olson, ND