Fibromyalgia is a common pain syndrome that affects about 10 million people in the US. This syndrome occurs when the central nervous system misinterprets the pain sensation for different body parts, thereby affecting the soft tissue and muscles. Many patients have been resorting to CBD oil for fibromyalgia as a potential treatment.
Fibromyalgia could be due to genetics or a result of physical traumas like injury. According to the US government statistics, this condition affects more women than men. Symptoms include:
- Widespread muscle pain
- Tenderness
- Burning sensation
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Headache
- Oversensitive to light
- Severe neck pain
CBD For Fibromyalgia
According to researchers, endocannabinoid deficiency could be a cause for fibromyalgia since the endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating pain, sensation, mood, and appetite.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is derived from marijuana, and it helps activate the endocannabinoid system and enhance the body’s response to pain. CBD does not contain that psychoactive effect which is responsible for causing a high among users. For this reason, the best CBD oil has been found to be a safe and effective alternative for treating fibromyalgia compared to opioids.
Traditionally, fibromyalgia patients used FDA-approved drugs to treat the condition. However, they have reported that these drugs offer little relief and can come with significant side effects like pain.
Since it became FDA-approved in 2018, CBD has continued to attract attention as an alternative treatment for fibromyalgia. Although research for the effectiveness of CBD oil to manage fibromyalgia is still scant, people with fibromyalgia symptoms are still using it to get some relief.
Research Overview of CBD Oil & Fibromyalgia
Since CBD is still in its infancy stage, there is still not much research on CBD for fibromyalgia. However, for the few studies done, researchers have concluded that CBD could potentially alleviate fibromyalgia symptoms.
One of the symptoms that CBD oil has been found to alleviate is pain and inflammation. According to a 2016 article published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, fibromyalgia is partially caused by the deficiency of endocannabinoids which bind to the cannabinoid receptors. When CBD oil enters the body, it works by increasing these endocannabinoids.
Another study on CBD oil for pain was done in 2012 and published on the Journal of Experimental Medicine. This study established that CBD could reduce inflammation and pain without the need for increasing dosages as is the case with opioid medications.
Several studies have shown that CBD boosts energy and reduces fatigue that is usually associated with fibromyalgia. In a 2014 study, CBD was found to promote wakefulness, focus, and mental clarity. Experts believe that CBD does this by strengthening the cells responsible for causing sleepiness and sluggishness.
Oftentimes, most fibromyalgia patients report anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that the best CBD oil products has anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties that make them a natural alternative to anti-anxiety drugs. CBD can be found in a wide variety of products, from oils and tinctures, to gummies, to CBD hemp flowers for rolling and smoking that can be found at places like Pure Hemp Farms.
A review of Neurotherapeutics on CBD oil for anxiety shows that it could actually help with anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and more. In two separate reviews of various studies, it was concluded that CBD is an effective antidepressant for animals with depression.
There is also evidence that it can treat migraines and irritable bowel syndrome as well as give relief for muscle tension and insomnia. These are all symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.
Important Facts About CBD Oil & Fibromyalgia
There is a lot of misinformation on the internet about CBD oil and its effectiveness in treating fibromyalgia. Here are some important facts about CBD oil and fibromyalgia.
1. Member of the Cannabinoid family
CBD or cannabidiol is among the hundreds of cannabinoids that make up the cannabis plant. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is a close family member of CBD that gives a psychoactive high to users when smoked.
2. CBD Won’t Get You High
CBD does not give a psychoactive high or an anxious feeling like THC. In fact, studies have shown that CBD counteracts the feeling of paranoia or anxiety that is caused by THC.
3. Different forms
CBD products are available in different forms such as drops (tinctures), vape oils, capsules, topical creams, and gummies.
4. There are Two Sources of CBD Oil for Fibromyalgia
CBD oil for fibromyalgia comes in two varieties: CBD from industrial hemp and CBD-rich marijuana strains. These two varieties are different in that industrial hemp CBD oil for fibromyalgia is usually sold in stores and online without any government agency regulation. On the other hand, CBD-rich marijuana strains are only sold by regulated dispensaries in marijuana legalized states.
Also, industrial CBD hemp oil has less than 0.3% THC, making them 100% legal. CBD-rich marijuana strains, on the other hand, may not be 100% legal since marijuana is still a Schedule I drug that is considered illegal for all applications.
5. Need for more research and scientific studies
Using CBD oil as a safe and effective option for treating medical conditions has not yet been scientifically proven. Additionally, these products have not been regulated by the FDA and more research is still needed in the future.
CBD Oil Dosage Guide for Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia patients can be hypersensitive to several things; hence, it is highly recommended to start small and progress gradually. Patients who are suffering from severe fibromyalgia are recommended to start with dosage of 50 mg per day.
If there is still no relief, it is suggested that you increase the dosage with 20mg twice a day after four days. Generally, most patients report getting relief for fibromyalgia after taking a dosage of between 50 mg and 100 mg without significant side effects.
You should experiment with different levels of CBD dosage for fibromyalgia until you find one that you can tolerate without negative side effects. When taken alone, the toxicity level of CBD is considered low and one will need to take an extremely high dose to overdose.
Also, it is advisable to choose full-spectrum hemp oil if you prefer CBD oil as your delivery method. This is because full spectrum hemp oil contains other cannabinoids like 0.3% THC which adds to the effectiveness of the oil.
What Additional Benefits Does CBD Oil Posses?
Other than providing relief for fibromyalgia patients, CBD can be used to treat other conditions. Here is a list of the several benefits of CBD oil:
- Insomnia
- Chronic pain and inflammation
- Glaucoma pain
- Social anxiety disorder
- Parkinson’s disease
- Epilepsy in children
- Multiple sclerosis
- Preventing growth of cancerous tumors
- Bipolar disorder
Will CBD Oil Cause any Side Effects?
Just like any other drug, CBD works differently for users, and most people have reported no possible side effects. Even so, research into whether CBD oil is an effective and safe treatment option for fibromyalgia is ongoing. However, some users have reported mild CBD oil side effects like:
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Low blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Changes in appetite
The World Health Organization has also said that CBD could cause side effects like alteration of hormonal levels, immune stimulation at low levels, and immune suppression when taken at high levels. However, WHO has said that more study is required to prove these possible side effects.
Is it Legal to Use CBD Oil?
Truth be told, the legality of CBD is more than a simple yes or no. The legality of CBD oil varies from one state and country to another.
According to The Hemp Farming Act of 2018, CBD derived from hemp is considered legal on the federal level. However, not all 50 states have held this claim. Some states have specific CBD laws that ban the use of hemp products.
Although the federal law approves the use of CBD products, these states press charges on people using these products. This has caused a clash between the federal and state law, causing a challenge to people who want to take CBD oil medicinally.
For instance, Epidiolex is an FDA-approved CBD medicine that can be effective for children with epilepsy. Nonetheless, this drug cannot be legally obtained unless one lives in a cannabis legalized state.
Key Takeaway
There is still inadequate clinical evidence to show that CBD is an effective fibromyalgia treatment option. However, studies done have shown that it can reduce inflammation and pain as well as improve mood and sleep in fibromyalgia patients.
Pure CBD oil is regarded as safe. Nonetheless, you may experience side effects which should result from the actual CBD component.
To ensure appropriate potency and quality, it is best to buy CBD oil online and reputable companies. Additionally, CBD works best by combining with other treatments.
