Article by Justin L Scharton, Independent Researcher
Article written on April 8, 2025
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Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. Always consult a licensed medical professional before making changes to your healthcare regimen.
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Exploring Cannabinoid and Terpene Therapies for
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic genetic disorder affecting the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. The main issues include recurrent lung infections, pancreatic insufficiency, sinusitis, and potential infertility. Over time, severe lung disease often leads to a shortened lifespan, making cystic fibrosis a serious and life-limiting condition. (4F)
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Pharmacological receptors and cell signals involved
TRPA1, TRPV1, TRPV4, TRPM7, NFkB, β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) (7G)
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Terpenes to potentially avoid
terpineol, and possibly linalool
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Terpenes that may help
a-pinene, humulene
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Terpenes that need research
thymol and carvacrol (possibly needs to be avoided)
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TRPA1 agonists include
CBC, CBD, CBG, CBN, THC, CBDV, THCV, CBGV, THCA, CBDA, CBGA, THCVA. (2A,3A,4A)
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TRPV1 agonists include
Capsaicin, CBC, CBG, CBD, CBN, CBDA, CBGA, CBGV, CBDV, THCV, THCVA (3A,13A 19A 20A 21A)
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TRPV4 agonists include
CBDV, CBG, THCV, CBN, CBGV, CBGA (3A,54A)
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This definitely needs some clinical trial research. A combination of cannabinoid TRPV1 and TRPV4 agonists has a good possibility to help with CF. CBD, CBG, CBN, and THCV are relatively easy to get, and there are CBD, CBG and THCV strains that can be grown. Combining those would help reduce the side effects of only taking 1 of those cannabinoids.
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Cannabinoids and receptor action
TRPV1
TRPV1 activation potentially improves (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) CFTR function and cough effectiveness. (5G)
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TRPV4
TRPV4 has been identified in CF, and activating that receptor could help regulate ion transport and reduce pathologic mucus changes. (6G)
Beta-2
β2AR stimulation increases mucociliary clearance and supports bronchodilation, enhancing airway function. (5G)
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TRPA1
TRPA1 in CF should be inhibited. Activating TRPA1 could increase inflammation. (7G) Cannabinoids are agonists of TRPA1, but do not act like typical TRPA1 agonists like acrolein. This could be from other TRP receptors modulating TRPA1, or that cannabinoids act more like a modulator than a typical agonist. TRPA1 activation with cannabinoids would probably not cause a problem in CF, but clinical trials would be needed to verify that.
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TRPM7
TRPM7 activation can be beneficial in some mutations of CF like G551D-CFTR by improving CFTR function, while it reduces CFTR function in WT-CFTR and F508del-CFTR cells. (7G)
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Terpenes
Carvacrol
Carvacrol is a TRPM7 inhibitor,(18E) and an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit inhibitor.(17E) So far, carvacrol could cause some problems with its anticholinergic property and with TRPM7 inhibition. Some mutations would be okay with that TRPM7 inhibition. Overall, carvacrol sounds like it could potentially make some aspects of CF worse. Targeted research will need to be done to fully understand these effects.
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Linalool
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Linalool stops acetylcholine release,(55C) but isn’t known as an anticholinergic with the side effects of terpineol. It is not known if linalool could affect CF.
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Thymol
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Thymol has several properties, and one is a benefit to CF, like activating β2AR (24E) and supporting mucus clearance. Another property of thymol is α7 nAChR inhibition,(17E) which could dry mucus like typical anticholinergics.
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Alpha-Pinene
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Alpha-Pinene reduces NFkb, and increases glutathione.(12C) (See below) NF-kB is overactive in CF, releasing IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α cytokines. (8G) This could help with inflammation control and oxidative balance in CF.
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Terpineol
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Terpineol is an anticholinergic. (11D) anticholinergics can make mucus more dry and thick
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Humulene
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Humulene is an anti-inflammatory and reduces NFkB. (6D 10D)
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Glutathione
Decreased levels of Glutathione (GSH), or in the ratio of GSH/glutathione disulfide, often occurs from an increased susceptibility to oxidative stress. That damage is involved in many disorders including cancer, diseases of aging, cystic fibrosis, cardiovascular, inflammation, immune disorders, metabolic problems, and neurodegenerative diseases. High levels of GSH can make some cancer cells more resistant to chemotherapy treatment. (15C)
Sources
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