Cannabidiol and plant terpenes for easing chronic pain
Cannabidiol and terpenoid interactions in amygdalar regulation of pain states
This project looks at whether CBD combined with common cannabis terpenes can reduce short-term inflammatory pain and long-term nerve (neuropathic) pain for people with chronic pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11259475 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
They will test specific mixes of CBD and terpenes in lab models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain, using mouse experiments and cell-based tests. The team will examine how these compounds act in the basolateral amygdala, a brain region involved in pain control. Experiments include both investigator-administered and voluntary (gelatin) dosing to see if benefits persist without tolerance. Biochemical signaling pathways will be measured to understand how CBD and terpenes produce anti-pain effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with chronic inflammatory pain or neuropathic (nerve) pain who are interested in non-opioid therapeutic approaches are the likely eventual candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with pain unrelated to inflammation or nerve injury, or those needing immediate clinical treatments, may not benefit directly from these preclinical experiments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to non-opioid treatment options that reduce inflammatory and neuropathic pain using CBD and terpene combinations.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies have shown CBD can reduce neuropathic pain in mice, but combining CBD with terpenes and targeting the amygdala is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Land, Benjamin — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Land, Benjamin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.