It’s True: CBD Oil for Fibromyalgia Has Incredible Benefits

New research studies show promising signs that breaking free from the muscular and skeletal pain of fibromyalgia is possible. Since cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural painkiller, many wonder if using CBD oil for fibromyalgia is a good idea.

To answer this, we explored what this ill-understood condition is, and the studies that show exactly what effects CBD has on patients’ comfort. 

So, let’s not waste any more time to find out if CBD is the answer to the question: what is the best treatment for fibromyalgia?

What Is Fibromyalgia?

By definition, fibromyalgia—officially, fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a condition of a neurological origin that causes widespread pain in the muscles and bones, as well as touch sensitivity. 

Appropriately dubbed the invisible disease, fibromyalgia can also cause fatigue, sleep problems, and cognitive difficulties. Hence the idea for CBD in fibromyalgia treatment.

In the 1800s, fibromyalgia was called “muscular rheumatism”. It was then that doctors finally agreed that the pain the patients feel is real and not imaginary. 

What Happens in Fibromyalgia? 

Well, nobody knows for sure! Scientists “believe” it has something to do with the way our brain interprets pain signals.

And since the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a role in pain sensation, CBD effects on fibromyalgia should be beneficial, soothing the brain’s pain sensory system. 

What Triggers Fibromyalgia?

While the exact mechanisms and the complete list of triggers is yet unknown, these are some of the psychological and physical risk factors for fibromyalgia: 

• A stressful event
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Depression
• Sleep deprivation
• Genetic predisposition 
• Infection
• Other diseases (osteoarthritis, lupus, Lyme disease, ankylosing spondylitis, hypothyroidism, or rheumatoid arthritis) 
• Being female (women are more likely to develop it)
• Lack of physical activity (exercise is one of the best treatments for fibromyalgia).

Children who have suffered emotional or physical abuse are more prone to developing the disorder. CBD for fibromyalgia should be safe enough for children if it’s pure and high-quality.  Middle adulthood is more likely to be the age of onset of the neurological disorder, but not always.

To sum up, there are so many different factors responsible for the pain and tenderness which appear and disappear on their own and move about the body. As a result, a person is often extremely tired and sleep-deprived.

Can CBD Oil Help with Fibromyalgia? 

Fibromyalgia research is quite limited even before you add cannabidiol into the mix. Still, some of the information available shows a positive link between these two, and we’ll happily share it with you. 

So, how can CBD oil help?

• Firstly, CBD has the ability to connect with neurotransmitters in the brain and spread its positive calming effects throughout the body. 
• Next, inflammation is one of the main culprits for fibro pain and brain fog. Apparently, during inflammation, a special type of cells in the brain and spinal cord (the microglia cells) can amplify the transmission of pain signals, leading to fibromyalgia.

So, fibromyalgia and CBD are inevitably connected. Studies show that CB2 receptors, which can be affected by CBD, are in charge of regulating microglial cell function.

• Research on CBD and brain functions also show that it has the ability to repair cells damaged after suffering severe trauma, and we know PTSD is one of the causes of fibromyalgia.
• Next, CBD is anti-oxidative, and very much recommended for neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
• Undeniably so, ECS and pain sensitivity are closely connected. In fact, ECS regulates pain sensations. Since CBD affects ECS, it also affects pain sensations (in a good way). 

Now, let’s see what CBD oil benefits can do for fibromyalgia symptoms and why it could be the best medicine for fibromyalgia. 

CBD and Fibromyalgia Pain

About 2% to 4% of US citizens are estimated to have fibromyalgia (6 to 12 million people). In other words, millions of people are in pain right now, but only a handful of those will get a timely diagnosis, let alone a prompt treatment.

This is why many reach for simple and fast solutions like CBD. But, what do scientists say when it comes to CBD used for fibro? The following studies will offer you a glance.

Study 1

A survey on the consumption of cannabis by fibromyalgia patients was done in Israel. The authors of the study posted a questionnaire in three big fibromyalgia Facebook groups; 383 people responded with their experiences with medical cannabis. 

Results: 94% of consumers admitted cannabis eases their pain, and 93% said cannabis improved their sleep. 62% of them also praised cannabis for anxiety issues; few adverse effects were noted.

Study 2

An observational study concerned with THC and CBD for fibromyalgia in the form of medical cannabis was conducted in the period between 2015 and 2017 by the SUMC Clinical Cannabis Research Institute. The follow-up period was six months. 

Results: 81.1% of the patients reported overall improvements. Before the treatment, 52.2% of patients (193 people) were struggling with high-intensity pain; 6 months later, only 7.9% (19 people) had the same pain intensity. 

Overall, the pain is said to have declined from a median of 9.0 to 5.0. However, studies that show that taking CBD oil for fibromyalgia pain is as effective as cannabis are still lacking.

Study 3

Neuropathic pain may appear in addition to other types. Results from research confirmed that cannabinoids are decreasing pain levels. The trial included 1,219 patients, out of whom 614 received cannabinoids.

Chronic pain is the most common reason for using medicinal marijuana, with multiple sources claiming that the best THC vs the best CBD ratio for fibromyalgia is 1:1.

Study 4

Another study exploring the question: does CBD oil work for pain? was conducted in 2011. More precisely, this study focused on the effects of cannabis use on the life quality and symptom relief of those with fibromyalgia.

56 patients with fibromyalgia participated in it. Half of them used cannabis in different forms, and the other half didn’t consume cannabis at all.

Results: FM patients that used cannabis felt significantly less pain and stiffness in comparison with non-users. Plus, they had better mental health scores than the rest. Other noticeable advantages were the enjoyment of relaxation and improved sleep. 

CBD Effects on Fibromyalgia Symptoms

CBD Oil Eases IBS Symptoms

Up to 70% of FM patients also suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In fibromyalgia, this condition is also associated with anxiety, depression, or stress, which are bound to occur if you’re feeling chronic, unexplainable pain. 

One study explains the CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects in the bowels of mice and shows its positive effect on human colonic cultures. CBD oil is also used to counteract anxiety, which, in turn, calms the digestive tract.

CBD Works for Anxiety and Depression

Even though the recommendation of CBD oil for the treatment of fibromyalgia is mostly done to counter chronic pain, CBD is also known to ease anxiety and depression. Once again, these mood-lifting and calming effects are due to CBD’s impact on our endocannabinoid system.

Anxiety

Anxiety entails a number of disorders, and CBD provides a helping hand for most of them (GAD, PD, and even PTSD). Studies with human subjects suggest that CBD oil should be used as a regular treatment. 

CBD is recommended because it has negligible sedative effects, anxiogenic effects, and overall, it is regarded as safe.

This is one more advantage when discussing CBD oil for fibromyalgia and anxiety. As children and teenagers can suffer from the disorder, CBD oil (without THC, of course) would prove a natural and efficient medicine.

Depression

Fibromyalgia patients are three times more likely to suffer from depression (at the time they are diagnosed) than healthy individuals.

Indeed, it is easy to become depressed when you are constantly feeling tired, and you’re enduring chronic pain, facing misunderstanding and wrong diagnosis, and a constant loss of energy. Another relation between CBD oil and fibromyalgia is the fact that depression can cause damage to the brain.

Studies acknowledge cannabis’s and with it, CBD oil’s anti-depressant qualities. CBD seems to ameliorate depression by bridging the communication between the brain and serotonin production (the hormone of happiness).

To sum up, fibromyalgia will be much more tolerable if these two symptoms are addressed.

Does CBD Oil Help Fibromyalgia Headaches?

Ask any FM sufferer and they will complain about the frequent headaches or migraines. As many as 76% of them have to deal with chronic headaches! Migraines are the most common ones; they may even act as a trigger!

In 87% of cases, a fibromyalgia flare occurs 12 hours after a migraine attack. Likewise, 84% of respondents clearly state that the combination of fibromyalgia and migraine is detrimental to their health and quality of life. 

Since CBD is one of the natural ways to deal with migraines, the treatment of fibromyalgia and CBD oil become synonymous.

CBD manages migraine headaches quite effectively. Migraine statistics data show that one of CBD’s best pain-reduction scores is linked to migraines and other headaches. 

In a 2016 study where participants were taking CBD-rich cannabis for migraines, it had the desired effect in about half of the cases. 

Similarly, CBD is excellent in reducing nausea, which often accompanies the worst of migraines.

Insomnia, Fibromyalgia and CBD

It isn’t hard to imagine that falling asleep while in pain can be a problem, no matter how exhausted you’re feeling.

In fact, Insomnia is so common in fibromyalgia that some even wonder whether this is actually a sleep disorder. Indeed, one study found 99% of fibromyalgia patients had sleep problems.

Fortunately, sleep statistics on CBD tell us CBD oil is beneficial in many ways. This is extremely important since daytime fatigue is caused by a lack of sleep, making it a vicious circle.

First of all, once the pain is reduced, it’s much easier to fall asleep. Secondly, by taking your CBD oil for fibromyalgia you are also going to end your nightmares too because it minimizes the time spent in the REM phase, which means fewer possibilities to dream.

CBD Oil Clears Fibro Fog

You’re in pain, and you keep forgetting things? Yes, that has fibromyalgia written all over it.

Forgetfulness, mental sluggishness, and difficulty concentrating can be detrimental to both your profession and your family life. What’s more, the so-called “fibro fog” is present in 50% of FM patients.

Caannabinidiol can bring focus into your fibromyalgia-ridden brain. Indeed, CBD helps focus in contrast to the ”bad boy” THC, which is constantly criticized for memory and cognitive impairment.

As a matter of fact, CBD is so efficient in helping us regain concentration that it is even advised to be used by people and kids struggling with ADHD. CBD trials including adults show promising results, and hemp-derived CBD oil is suggested as an excellent alternative for kids dealing with ADHD.

All-in-all the answer to: can CBD oil help with fibromyalgia confusion is a resounding yes! 

CBD Oil Helps With Painful Periods

Women are ten times more likely to suffer from fibromyalgia than men; They make a whopping 80–90% of FM patients. Plus, they report pain of higher intensity than that of male patients. 

But what’s the link between a painful period and fibromyalgia?

It is observed that fibromyalgia symptoms increase before and during menstruation. So, women with fibromyalgia have more painful periods. Fortunately, research shows that taking CBD oil for fibromyalgia should resolve this.

Namely, anecdotal evidence shows that CBD oil suppositories and CBD oil per se are the best methods for getting rid of debilitating cramps. Even better, they work almost instantly. You’ll be pain-free in a couple of minutes, with the effects persisting for hours.

Scientific research states that CBD has a big impact on prostaglandins. These are the hormone-resembling compounds within us, which make for heavy and painful periods. 

Prostaglandins are inflammatory molecules, and — surprise, surprise — people use CBD for inflammation! In fact, one of the reasons why CBD oil for fibromyalgia pain is so effective is that this cannabinoid directly reduces the production and impact of prostaglandins. 

Speaking of periods (or the lack of them), CBD oil is especially recommended for women who are postmenopausal or in the middle of their menopause; they seem to have the worst symptoms.

Finally, if Queen Victoria was using cannabis for the same purpose, don’t you deserve royal treatment as well?

CBD Oil for Stiff Fibro Mornings

Waking up tired, joint-stiff, and puffy-eyed is a regular problem for fibromyalgia patients. Consequently, the “invisible disease” is often mistaken for arthritis. If CBD oil is helpful for painful morning joint-rigidity seen in arthritis, then it should work for fibromyalgia relief too, right?

Indeed! Joint stiffness usually happens due to inflammation or pain and as we explained above, CBD fights off inflammation. 

There are different products with CBD oil in the fibromyalgia treatment.  It could be a tincture or topical oil, and even, the so-called marijuana patch for treating painful spots. 

So joint stiffness can be treated both topically and from within with CBD oil. In the case of arthritis, CBD reduces both joint inflammation and pain — two birds with one stone!

CBD Dosage for Fibromyalgia: How to Get it Right 

As with any medicine, getting the right CBD dose makes the difference between successful and failed treatment. Speaking of CBD dosing, the general rule of thumb applies. 

Since there is no official study that has determined the exact dosage application of CBD in patients with fibromyalgia (and even if there was, you would still need to consult with your doctor), the regular CBD dosage instructions apply.

How many milligrams of CBD you need for fibromyalgia symptoms depends on a multitude of factors so it takes some self-observance and discipline.

What is the best strength of CBD oil for fibromyalgia in the UK, Canada, Australia, or any other country? Essentially, the dosage requirements are the same and highly individual regardless of the country.

What is the Best Form of CBD for Fibromyalgia?

The type of CBD you need to treat fibro pain largely depends on the type of pain. If it’s one sore spot, a patch could work just fine. If it’s a migraine, CBD oil drops are recommended. That said, chronic pain calls for CBD pills or CBD-infused edibles. Period pain can be resolved with suppositories. 

To sum up, the CBD oil dose for fibromyalgia and form is something you’ll have to discover on your own as we are all unique. Also, we can’t ignore the beneficial effects that THC has on pain as well. 

To this end, we could conclude that full-spectrum CBD oil would be the most beneficial, generally.   

Side Effects of CBD for Fibromyalgia

Just like any other potent medication, CBD has several side effects. Some of these are mostly related to over-sensitivity or overdosing (dry mouth, diarrhea, sleepiness, dizziness). 

Otherwise, the most common CBD side-effects include:

• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Increased appetite
• Diarrhea
• Losing or gaining a few pounds

What’s more, some people don’t like the CBD effects on blood pressure, since this cannabidiol lowers it. Plus, CBD can interact with some medications or non-medical treatments. Therefore, consulting our GP before taking CBD oil or fibromyalgia medicine or supplements is always a good idea.

CBD Oil for Fibromyalgia Across the World

Given all the above study results, CBD oil is quite popular fibro treatment in Western countries.

Australia 

Since 2016, CBD oil in Australia is a Schedule 4 substance, so, it can only be obtained only by a doctor’s prescription.

That said, patients can be subjected to long waits of even a year before their GP is able to prescribe them any CBD products. All this is because doctors need to apply via the Special Access Scheme (SAS) for each patient.

That said, their doctor’s official guide for using cannabis for patients with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) mentions the use of cannabis and a 30% pain reduction, which are promising results for approving CBD oil for fibromyalgia in Australia. 

Canada

All hemp-derived products, like CBD, and recreational marijuana are legal in Canada. So, you won’t need a physician’s prescription to use cannabis for fibromyalgia, though we certainly recommend consulting with one.

The only thing you need to be careful about is purchasing it from licensed producers or outlets, and avoid convenience stores, supermarkets, or health-food stores. 

If you want the best CBD for fibromyalgia in Canada, simply check the reviews of trusted Canadian CBD brands.

The UK 

Hemp-derived CBD is completely legal in the UK if it doesn’t contain THC (with the exception of Sativex), and an estimated 1.3 million people are using it.

That said, the UK’s medicinal cannabis rules are quite strict and the NHS doesn’t allow the prescription of medicinal marijuana for fibromyalgia. Instead, the prescription of CBD or medicinal cannabis is reserved for more severe conditions, and only as a last resort. 

So, the answer to what is the best CBD oil for fibromyalgia in the UK  is quite tricky. The best we can conclude is similar to the US advice: find the quality CBD oil, call your doctor, and see if it works for you.

A Break-Free Card From Fibromyalgia’s Grip

Fibromyalgia sufferers are truly challenged. Not only is the disease “invisible” to professionals and laymen alike, but any existing fibromyalgia medication is always combined with supplements and lifestyle changes.

CBD oil is by no means a cure for the disease, nor will it replace the prescribed medication for fibromyalgia. Still, evidence shows that it is extremely helpful on several levels, improving prognosis and quality of life for patients. 

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About the Author

Bojana Petkovic

A cannabis enthusiast, fascinated by the plant’s healing powers and the ever-changing world of the marijuana industry, trying to work out what is going on and let you know all the fun details — that’s my mission here. Keeping you high and healthy!

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