Fibromyalgia can be pretty debilitating. The widespread chronic pain prevents you from getting enough sleep, and the constant fatigue keeps you from enjoying life. These stressors can exacerbate your condition by continuously triggering flare-ups of the condition. If these fibromyalgia symptoms are not adequately controlled, it could lead to more complications such as depression, anxiety, and other complications.
Dealing with fibromyalgia is never easy.
The widespread pain and chronic fatigue not only affect your physical health but mental and emotional wellbeing as well. Unfortunately, fibromyalgia has no known cure. It is a complicated chronic health problem that needs several medications to control the symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
Today, more and more people find that using CBD to manage fibromyalgia can be very helpful. Although CBD can’t completely eradicate the issue, some report that it can significantly improve their condition.
But can CBD oil for fibromyalgia really help people who are suffering from this medical condition? Or is it just all hype, a fad that will also fade away in time?
What is CBD?
The cannabis plant produces over a hundred different types of cannabinoids, one of which is CBD (cannabidiol). And, according to studies, CBD has countless properties that are beneficial to our health. Not only can CBD control several symptoms caused by chronic diseases, but it can also help maintain a healthy body and mind.
Compared to THC, the primary psychoactive cannabinoid produced by cannabis, CBD does not get people high. It also doesn’t cause any psychoactive effects, making it a popular alternative treatment for many diseases, including fibromyalgia.
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a medical condition that causes chronic and widespread pain all over the body. The pain can be pretty debilitating – so much so that it affects a person’s day-to-day life.
As the condition progresses, other symptoms can begin to appear, causing further deterioration in the patient’s quality of life. Some people diagnosed with fibromyalgia also suffer from neuropathic pain. The disease damages the nerve fibers found in their skin, resulting in painful tingling and burning sensations in the feet.
What Are The Common Symptoms Experienced By Fibromyalgia Patients?
The common symptoms of fibromyalgia include widespread chronic pain and fatigue. The pain is often described as a dull aching pain that’s been going on for more than three months. The fatigue can be pretty severe and leave the patient in a state of constant tiredness.
Other symptoms include headaches and migraine attacks, insomnia, and other sleep problems, including sleep apnea, as well as restless legs syndrome. Depression, memory problems, and anxiety attacks are also common.
The patient may also have other co-existing medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome and painful bladder syndrome.
What Are The Causes Of Fibromyalgia?
There is no known specific cause that triggers the development of fibromyalgia. However, experts believe that genetics plays a role and that the condition tends to be hereditary. So if your parents, for example, have fibromyalgia, then your risk of developing this medical condition is increased.
Other factors that can trigger fibromyalgia include traumatic events, chronic stress, infections, and chronic illnesses.
What Is The Most Common Fibromyalgia Treatment Regimen?
Unfortunately, fibromyalgia has no known cure. There is no specific fibromyalgia medication that can completely treat this disease. The only way to make the condition more tolerable is to reduce pain through painkillers, improve mood through antidepressants, and improve sleep through sleep aids.
Natural remedies for pain relief may also be prescribed. These include acupuncture, relaxation techniques, physical therapy, and yoga, among others. Low-impact aerobic exercises may also be recommended to boost energy, build stamina, and improve overall wellbeing.
Today though, CBD oil is becoming a popular fibromyalgia pain relief option. People find that fibromyalgia treatment with CBD oil works very well in controlling pain and other associated symptoms.
How Does CBD Oil For Fibromyalgia Work?
Research points to the neurogenic origin as one of the leading causes of fibromyalgia. According to experts, there is an imbalance in the neurotransmitters that make the brain’s pain centers more sensitive to pain. So any trigger will heighten the patient’s perception and sensitivity to pain, resulting in feeling it all over the body.
Now, the endocannabinoid system plays a significant role in pain perception and control. When there are many pain-stimulating chemicals in the brain, it produces its own chemicals (known as endocannabinoids) that help reduce and control the issue.
CBD is known to stimulate the endocannabinoid system as well. In a way, it helps the endocannabinoid system function better by controlling pain. In addition to this, CBD also stimulates other biological systems responsible for the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Through these biological systems, CBD helps reduce depression and anxiety. It also helps improve sleep.
Studies also point to low-grade yet widespread brain inflammation as a contributing factor to the worsening of fibromyalgia. According to studies, the brain inflammation damages more neurons and worsens fibromyalgia symptoms. Now, CBD is neuroprotective and has anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to reducing brain inflammation, CBD also protects the brain cells against chronic inflammation’s damaging effects.
Are There CBD Clinical Trials For Fibromyalgia?
There are no long-term studies yet on the effect of pure CBD and fibromyalgia. Most studies used a combination of CBD and THC. However, it is worth noting that this combination significantly helped improve the quality of life of the patients involved.
The study was completed in Israel and involved 26 patients with fibromyalgia. All participants reported improvement after the administration of medical cannabis. Half of the participants have even stopped taking their regular fibromyalgia medications. No severe adverse reactions were noted, except for eight participants who reported very mild side effects on medical cannabis.
In another more extensive study composed of 367 patients with fibromyalgia, most participants reported improvement in their symptoms after six months of being on medical cannabis. Some participants experienced side effects. However, they said that these side effects were tolerable compared to other fibromyalgia drugs and treatment.
Can THC Also Help People With Fibromyalgia?
Yes. THC may produce psychoactive effects, but in small dosage and combined with CBD, these two work together in a phenomenon called the Entourage Effect.
Together, THC and CBD may become an effective treatment for fibromyalgia.
Common Questions On CBD Oil For Fibromyalgia
Pain reduction, mood improvement, and sleep aid – these are just some of the benefits of CBD oil for fibromyalgia. If you’re suffering from fibromyalgia and want to know how to treat fibromyalgia with CBD, then here are the frequently asked questions to help get you started.
How do you use CBD or full-spectrum CBD for fibromyalgia?
The most common way to use CBD for fibromyalgia is sublingual. Just place a few drops under your tongue for two minutes.
You can also rub CBD balm for fibromyalgia on the painful areas. For faster effects, you can try CBD oil in a vape.
How much CBD should I take for fibromyalgia pain?
Finding the fibromyalgia CBD dosage is a bit tricky. CBD is more of a personalized treatment. You can start with one full dropper; then, simply adjust the dosage based on your body’s reactions.
How long does it take for CBD oil to work for fibromyalgia?
Sublingual CBD oil for fibromyalgia typically takes effect anywhere between 15 minutes and an hour. If you feel no improvement in your symptoms after this period, you can increase your dosage the next time you take CBD oil.
Is CBD oil good for fibromyalgia?
CBD is a safe and nontoxic cannabinoid, according to the World Health Organization. It can help control many symptoms – from pain to depression.
According to research studies and anecdotal stories, the beneficial effects of CBD can help with fibromyalgia.
Before using CBD for your fibromyalgia, we recommend that you consult your primary care physician first. Not only can they help you choose the best form of CBD for fibromyalgia., but they can also help you find the best dosage. Moreover, your doctor can also help you monitor your body’s response to CBD and adjust your dosage accordingly.
Final Thoughts – Can CBD Help Fibromyalgia?
CBD has properties that can address several symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. It helps control pain and inflammation, and it can also help improve mood, sleep, and fatigue.
Anecdotal stories showed that many patients with fibromyalgia found pain relief in using CBD products or full-spectrum CBD (with THC) products. Research studies have also shown that medical cannabis benefits people diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
So if you are suffering from fibromyalgia, know that CBD could hold some potential. It can help control your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Author: B. D.
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