Fibromyalgia patients often find it difficult to manage their condition and reduce their symptoms. This may be due to the extreme complexity of the disease and the wide variety of possible symptoms. However, scientists now believe that plant-based cannabinoids, such as CBD, could help combat the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. While clinical research remains scarce, this is what we now know about CBD products and fibromyalgia:
What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread, constant pain and an increased reaction to pain from pressure. However, other symptoms may also be involved. Considering that most patients also experience muscle stiffness, severe fatigue, sleep problems and memory problems. Other common symptoms of fibromyalgia may include digestive problems, cognitive disturbances, depression, anxiety, restless leg syndrome, numbness or tingling; and even sensitivity to light, sound and temperature in some cases.
Thus, fibromyalgia is not just like any other (chronic) pain disorder. Mainly because of the large number of possible symptoms. But also because of the actual cause of the condition. In fact, for a long time it remained unclear what the real cause of fibromyalgia was. Which has led to extreme frustration for people living with the condition. Fortunately, scientists are now beginning to understand more and more about the causes and progression of fibromyalgia.
Endocannabinoid deficiency as a possible cause
While the actual cause of the condition remains a little unclear. It is believed to be a combination of factors, both genetic and environmental. So, in addition to the fact that it “may be hereditary”, it could potentially be caused by environmental factors such as psychological stress, trauma and infections. Whatever the cause, however, generally speaking the symptoms are the result of (distorted) processes in the central nervous system. This is our body’s communication network, known as the endocannabinoid system(ECS).
Consequently, there are now several scientists who believe that fibromyalgia is mainly caused by a clinical deficiency of endocannabinoids. One of these scientists is renowned neurologist and cannabis researcher Dr Ethan Russo. Who discovered that dysregulation of the body’s own neurotransmitters – endocannabinoids – may be the cause of the symptoms of fibromyalgia. As well as the cause of migraine, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other treatment-resistant conditions.
Admittedly, this sounds quite reasonable. Because, in general, our body should produce enough of these signalling substances and ‘landing points’ – endocannabinoid receptors – to be able to balance all the basic processes for our survival. This balance is called “homeostasis”; it includes bodily processes such as pain, hunger, temperature, mobility and emotional responses. So when this system is distorted and the balance is lost, your health will rapidly decline in a number of ways. This can be seen in lack of sleep, increased levels of anxiety and stress or (chronic) pain, for example. All symptoms are associated with fibromyalgia – which supports Dr. Russo’s theory about what may be causing the condition in the first place.
CBD against fibromyalgia;
This theory is further supported by a review of Dr. Russo’s study – conducted by two other scientists ten years after Dr. Russo’s publication. As Steel Clarke Smith and Mark S. Wagner conclude, “Subsequent research has confirmed that underlying endocannabinoid deficiencies do indeed play a role in migraine, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and a growing list of other medical conditions. Clinical experience confirms this.” In addition, Dr. Ethan has already presented evidence suggesting that cannabinoids may block certain mechanisms (spinal, peripheral and gastrointestinal) that promote pain in fibromyalgia – alongside the other conditions mentioned above.
This also suggests that supplementing your body with plant cannabinoids from cannabis – such as cannabidiol (CBD) – could have a positive impact on the symptoms and cause of fibromyalgia. While clinical research on this topic is still lacking; a large study from the US National Pain Foundation shows that cannabinoids may be more effective against fibromyalgia than pharmaceuticals. With 62% of all participants stating that treatment of fibromyalgia with cannabinoids is “very effective” and 33% stating that it is “somewhat effective”. Which makes fibromyalgia one of the diseases that could potentially be better treated with cannabinoids – rather than pharmaceuticals.
Cannabis products for use in fibromyalgia
So if you suffer from fibromyalgia, there is a chance that cannabinoid-rich cannabis supplements can help alleviate your symptoms. However, in no way do we guarantee that our high quality CBD products will help your situation. But from our experience and customer feedback, there are two CBD products that we would recommend using- when trying to reduce the symptoms associated with cannabis-related fibromyalgia:
CBDactive+ PURE for fibromyalgia
Do not think that you will have success in treating the symptoms of fibromyalgia using any CBD oil; as we have experience that it is not an easy condition to treat. Consequently, we often recommend trying our most effective products right away, including our CBDactive+ PURE syringe. This full-spectrum, water-soluble CBD product is often used for serious problems; including severe chronic pain from nerve damage or injury, for example.
Considering that this product is created so that the active ingredients are better absorbed by the body. Its effectiveness is about 10 times higher compared to that of regular CBD oils with hemp oil. CBDactive+ PURE could potentially help to better balance your endocannabinoid system; and therefore could help to alleviate the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Including symptoms such as unsteady limbs, depression, anxiety and digestive problems. Although this product may not always be enough to combat the large amount of pain, muscle stiffness and sleep problems that most patients suffer from.
CBD Patches for pain and sleep
For this, you may get better results with our topical CBD patches. As customers with symptoms of fibromyalgia (and similar) give us the best feedback on this product. Note, however, that in no way do we believe that CBD will cure fibromyalgia. Although our topical CBD patches could potentially help reduce the muscle stiffness, pain and insomnia that patients often experience. And by helping to reduce these symptoms, patients could welcome back a certain level of rest and “joy of life”.
Source: dutchnaturalhealing.com