Nápreva is an all organic, plant-based formula. The primary ingredients are pure terpenes isolates extracted from natural plant oils. To the terpene formula, we add a small amount of MCT oil to balance the terpene concentration and organic, plant-based flavorings and pet and human-safe sweetener. Most of all, we incorporate centuries of documented use and decades of modern science to bring you a product designed to help with chronic pain without harmful side effects.

What are terpenes

Terpenes are small hydrocarbon-based molecules produced by nearly all plants. They impart flavor and scent, give plants the ability to attract pollinators or repel predators, protect them from disease and control an array of functions that define a plant’s unique characteristics. 

A terpene called limonene provides the fresh, lemony scent associated with lemons and other citrus. Humulene imparts the sharp and bitter taste and earthy scent characteristic of hops. Linalool is the primary terpenoid giving plants in the lavender family their soothing scent. At least 30,000 unique terpenes have been found in nature to date. Some research indicates that number may be as high as 80,000.

Although terpene-rich plants have been an vital part of the human diet have been used as medicine for thousands of years, we’re only now learning how our bodies interact with terpenes in a wide range of essential body functions. Scientific research has proven that terpene interaction plays an important role in moderating human immune, neurological, nervous, cognitive and respiratory systems, and more. 

It’s also been found that the human body produces isporene, the building blocks of terpenes, which have been observed to moderate endogenous systems. Fun fact? Coral, mollusks, termites, aphids and certain frogs, all animals, produce numerous terpenes and use them in the same ways as plants. Whether animals produce terpenes inherently, or have evolved isoprene and terpene production to ensure against shortages of dietary terpenes is unclear. What is certain is that terpenes play such a vital role in the complex mechanism of animals and humans, we make them. 

Terpene safety

Β-Caryophyllene (beta caryophyllene or BCP) and humulene (also called alpha caryophyllene), the primary active ingredients in Nápreva, are FDA- approved for use in food and beverages. Studies contained in the FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) application indicated that, with regular consumption of amounts greater than the suggested serving of Nápreva, there were no toxicities or adverse effects to humans.

While FDA GRAS status doesn’t replace clinical testing and FDA drug approval, it does help to ensure that products are safe.

An extensive body of scientific and clinical research now indicates that β-Caryophyllene can relieve different types of chronic pain. They also show that it can relieve neuropathic pain to roughly the same extent as THC or morphine with no addictive side effects, strongly suggesting it could be a powerful approach to treating pain without the dangerous, negative side effects associated with commonly-used medications.

Other natural ingredients

There are no synthetic chemicals like coloring, flavoring or preservatives used in Nápreva.

All flavorings are plant-based, organically grown and processed using organic methods like steam, pressure, dehydration and filtration. Even flavorings used in animal products are made from natural plant sources. The beef flavoring in our dog products, for example, is a combination of amino acids, caramelized vegetables and yeast extracts that mimic the taste of beef without actually using harming a cow.

A small amount of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) from coconut is used to correct terpene concentration. 

We also use a natural sweetener, pet-safe stevia or cane sugar. It’s used sparingly since it isn’t to make the product taste sweet but serves primarily to block the bitter aftertaste of the pure terpene isolates which can be bitter or musky. In many formulations, it’s simply called a bitter blocker.

Finally, only NáprevaPlus products contain 7 mg/ml of CBD isolate from industrial hemp. Our isolate is chosen to comply with federal law, specifically, P.L. 115-334 - The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, also known as The Farm Bill.

Quality and Safety Standards

While cGMP and 21 CFR Part 111 dietary supplement manufacturing standards define regulations for ensuring product quality, the FDA is woefully understaffed to enforce those standards.

Just 18,000 FDA employees monitor nearly 20,000 FDA-approved drugs, 6,000 medical devices and 270,000 FDA-registered facilities. Another 24,000 Investigational New Drug applications must be reviewed and vetted each year, while an average of 55 New Drug Applications (NDAs) are filed annually. Each of those NDAs can be accompanied by thousands of pages of documentation on drug ingredients, manufacturing processes, clinical trials, field data and more.

The FDA also investigates thousands of consumer, product maker and supplier reports into potentially dangerous, contaminated or non-compliant food, cosmetic, and over-the-counter healthcare products for people and animals. They supervise product introductions and recalls and publish hundreds of consumer advisories to facilitate public safety. The agency is so overburdened, consumers must be increasingly responsible for making thoughtful choices.

That burden on the FDA allows all too many makers of dietary supplements to fall through the cracks, allowing them to permit variations as high as 20% from label claims and to conduct no real testing of shelf life claims. Many products make claims based on no real science, failing to consider the risks of potential toxicity and drug interactions even for seemingly harmless supplements like caffeine, turmeric, ginseng and more.

Our customers deserve the best

Whether standards are enforced or not, we believe they exist for a purpose. They are designed to set a high bar for quality, safety and consistency to ensure consumer safety. These characteristics are vital for people using a supplement to help with conditions as serious as chronic pain. We spare no expense to source the highest quality ingredients from suppliers around the world. And we take no prisoners when it comes to rigorous testing from raw materials to finished products.

Simply stated, we owe it to our customers.

Learn More:

Biochemistry of Terpenes and Recent Advances in Plant Protection https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8199371/

Therapeutic Applications of Terpenes on Inflammatory Diseases https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8414653/#:~:text=In%20the%20last%20decades%2C%20the,%2Dof%2Dthe%2Dart.

Unraveling the Origin of Isoprene in the Human Body https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38663377/

FEMA: 2252 Beta Caryophyllene https://www.femaflavor.org/flavor-library/beta-caryophyllene

Cannabis terpenes offer potential new way to treat fibromyalgia pain https://healthsciences.arizona.edu/news/releases/cannabis-terpenes-offer-potential-new-way-treat-fibromyalgia-pain