CBD oil for fibromyalgia, what do we know?
What is fibromyalgia?
Medically, “fibro” means connective tissue and “itis” means inflammation. fibromyalgia: “fibro” meaning connective tissues, “my” meaning muscle, and “algia” meaning pain
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that many of you may be familiar with. While musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain are the most prevalent symptoms of fibromyalgia, people also often report feelings of stiffness, fatigue, hypersensitivity, anxiety and insomnia.
Roughly 2% of the population will receive a diagnosis of fibromyalgia in their life-time. There’s no cure for fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is more common in women than men and those who have fibromyalgia often have other diagnoses such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), anxiety and depression.
The pain that results from fibromyalgia, treatment options and their effectiveness will vary from person to person.
Common symptoms of fibromyalgia are:
Research on CBD oil for Fibromyalgia
A 2009 review found that CBD can be used to relieve neuropathic pain. The researchers concluded that cannabinoids such as CBD might be a useful adjunct to other pain medications. A 2011 study looked at 56 people with fibromyalgia. Most of the participants were women. Members of the study comprised two groups:
One group was comprised of 28 study participants who weren’t cannabis users. The second group was comprised of 28 study participants who were CBD users. Two hours after using cannabis, the cannabis users experienced benefits such as: reduced pain and stiffness and an increase in sleepiness. They also had slightly higher mental health scores than the non-users.
Medical cannabis has been linked to a reduction in pain and other symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia, according to new data published in the Journal of Cannabis Research. An Italian researcher explored the long-term use of various types of cannabis preparations in 38 patients with treatment-resistant fibromyalgia. Participants in the study consumed cannabis for up to twelve months in combination with their prescribed medications.
The author reported that “significant improvements were observed” following the initiation of cannabis therapy in most patients. Medical cannabis therapy was found to “significantly reduce pain intensity”, with approximately half of the patients reporting a reduction in pain.
Fibromyalgia and The Endocannabinoid System
The Endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a cell signalling system (think of a traffic controller) in your body which regulates numerous bodily functions helping you remain balanced.
Research has linked the endocannabinoid system to the following bodily functions & feelings:
- Chronic pain
- Inflammation and other immune system responses
- Learning and memory
- Sleep
- Stress and anxiety and more
The ECS is made up of endocannabinoids – molecules that send messages; and cannabinoid receptors – the receiver of the messages. One of these types of receptors, the CB1 receptors, are found in your central nervous system. The central nervous system is responsible for regulating pain.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterised by musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain. Common symptoms include stiffness, fatigue, hypersensitivity, anxiety, and insomnia. The condition is more prevalent in women and often occurs alongside other diagnoses such as irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and depression. There is currently no cure for fibromyalgia.
How might CBD oil be relevant for fibromyalgia?
Research has indicated that cannabinoids like CBD may help relieve neuropathic pain and could serve as an adjunct to other pain medications. Studies have shown that cannabis users with fibromyalgia reported reduced pain and stiffness, improved sleepiness, and slightly better mental health scores compared to non-users. Medical cannabis therapy has also been linked to significant reductions in pain intensity for some patients.
What symptoms of fibromyalgia could CBD oil potentially address?
CBD oil has been associated with relief from symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and sleep disturbances in people with fibromyalgia. Some users have also experienced improvements in mental health scores after using CBD products. However, the effectiveness can vary from person to person.
What does research say about long-term cannabis use for fibromyalgia?
Studies involving long-term use of various cannabis preparations in patients with treatment-resistant fibromyalgia have reported significant improvements after starting cannabis therapy. Many participants experienced a notable reduction in pain intensity when using cannabis alongside their prescribed medications.
How is the endocannabinoid system related to fibromyalgia?
The endocannabinoid system is a cell signalling system that helps regulate bodily functions such as chronic pain, inflammation, sleep, stress, and anxiety. CB1 receptors within this system are found in the central nervous system, which is responsible for regulating pain—a key symptom in fibromyalgia.
Reviewed by Miracle Leaf Editorial Team
Our editorial team researches CBD, cannabinoid education, product quality and UK compliance standards to ensure content is accurate, transparent and easy to understand. Articles are reviewed for clarity and responsible consumer education before publication.
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