HOW CBD CAN HELP WITH FIBROMYALGIA
Fibromyalgia is a long-term, chronic condition that affects human bones and muscles, causing pain and mental distress. It is often misdiagnosed as arthritis or joint inflammation because they have similar symptoms. However, it is quite different because it causes soft tissue pain rather than cause joint or muscle inflammation and damage. Common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Depression
- Muscle tightness or spasms
- Headaches or general aching
- Foggy cognition
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Low pain threshold
- Insomnia
- Tenderness
- Burning sensation
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NAIMS), around 5 million adults aged 18 years or over in the United States suffer from fibromyalgia, and 80-90 percent of fibromyalgia patients are women.
While there is no known cure yet for fibromyalgia, practitioners prescribe painkillers and antidepressants to sufferers to help them manage the symptoms. However, the side effects of these pharmaceutical drugs often outweigh the benefits and may lead to drug abuse. This has led patients and their families to search for safer, alternative treatments like CBD.
Can CBD help with fibromyalgia?
CBD, which stands for cannabidiol, is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. It is one of the over 100 compounds found in the cannabis plant. These compounds are called cannabinoids, and they occur naturally. CBD isn't psychoactive like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of the by products of the plant. In other words, it doesn't cause a mental high or feelings of euphoria.
One of the many questions people ask about CBD is whether it can help treat the symptoms of fibromyalgia. The straightforward answer to that question is "yes." Preliminary studies suggest that CBD may help people with fibromyalgia, and this is why the cannabinoid is getting a lot of attention as a potential treatment.
Although a lot of research on CBD for fibromyalgia is still on, the initial results are promising as they indicate that CBD can help fibromyalgia patients manage pain.
A 2011 study concluded that CBD is effective in the area of pain management for fibromyalgia. The researchers examined 56 people suffering from fibromyalgia, most of whom were women. The participants were divided into two groups. The first group comprised 28 participants who were cannabis users, while the other group of the same population was non-cannabis users.
The cannabis users were then given the substance and placed under close examination. Two hours after using the plant, the cannabis users reported:
- Reduced pain and stiffness
- An increase in sleepiness
Researchers also found out that cannabis users had higher mental health scores than non-users.
Another study published in 2018 in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology supported CBD as a treatment for fibromyalgia due to its effectiveness in reducing pain and sleep disturbances.
How does CBD for fibromyalgia work?
Another question most people often ask is, "how does CBD for fibromyalgia work? Research shows that CBD acts simultaneously on multiple pain targets by interacting with receptors located throughout the peripheral and central nervous system (CNS) - the pathway in which pain signals travel along. When the body experiences negative sensations due to a derangement of functions caused by an illness or injury, the brain registers it as pain.
CBD regulates the perception of pain by affecting the activity of serotonin receptors, numbing them to the pain signals. This, in turn, makes sufferers of Fibromyalgia experience relief from pain since the cannabinoid interacts with the receptors throughout the body.
Although research is still ongoing, CBD for fibromyalgia has continued to soar in popularity due to the solid body of evidence that indicates that CBD may provide alleviation for certain symptoms such as pain, sleep disruptions, anxiety, and depression.
How much CBD oil to dose for fibromyalgia?
There is no established information on how to dose CBD oil, which is no surprise since it is yet to be approved for the treatment of fibromyalgia by the United States' Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If you're looking to use CBD for fibromyalgia, be sure to discuss it with a doctor who is knowledgeable about medical cannabis and CBD.
In our experience the average person will need 50mg of CBD oil per day. Some require less, some require more. That is an average dose based on the people who suffer from fibromyalgia that we've already helped.
We recommend to start with a low dosage so you can observe your body's reaction to it. You can then gradually increase the amount you take until you achieve the amount that provides relief from pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Start at 30mg per day during the first week, then 40mg per day during the second week and then 50mg per day in the third week.
CBD vape for fibromyalgia
There are many ways to consume CBD, such as edibles, orals, and topicals. Most people prefer to vape CBD because the cannabinoid goes straight to the lungs and is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. In other words, the effects of CBD kick in faster when you vape it. Additionally, one of the benefits of vaping CBD in the UK is that it helps people kick all kinds of addictions, including tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
Conclusion
Fibromyalgia is one of the most common chronic pain conditions in the world, affecting an estimated 2 to 4 percent of the U.S. and UK population. With recent studies indicating that CBD may help ease the symptoms of fibromyalgia, many people are now turning to it as an alternative treatment for the condition. You should consider doing the same or recommend it to any of your loved ones suffering from fibromyalgia.