What's happening with Fibromyalgia & CBD?
Fibromyalgia and CBD:
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of more than 100 chemical compounds derived from cannabis. A small body of research suggests that cannabidiol may help people with fibromyalgia.
A review from 2013(1) states that cannabidiol (CBD) can help to relieve pain caused by fibromyalgia and other conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis (MS).
Marijuana and CBD:
In a nutshell, CBD is not the same as marijuana.
CBD is one of many cannabinoids that come from the cannabis plant, which is also known as hemp or marijuana.
More concentrated forms of CBD, such as cannabidiol oil, could offer greater benefits with fewer risks than using medical marijuana.
The compound in marijuana that gets users high is called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). No evidence suggests that CBD can get a person high. This may make it a good option for people who:
· want to abstain from marijuana use
· have a history of bad reactions to marijuana
· are uncomfortable using mind-altering substances
· do not want to experience a high but still want to experience the health benefits
In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in administering CBD to children with epilepsy, because it is effective in reducing seizures that do not respond well to other medications.
CBD’s function:
To date, only a few studies have looked at the effectiveness of CBD in treating fibromyalgia.
Researchers cannot decisively say why the compound appears to reduce some fibromyalgia symptoms, but there are some strong theories that are still being tested in research.
The pain-relieving effects of CBD may be explained by (Borgelt, Franson and Wang, 2013) the ways that this substance affects the brain. It may interrupt the nerve pathways that send signals of pain between the brain and the body.
There is also an anti-inflammatory action of CBD that would reduce heat and swelling around injury or disease. This, in turn. would reduce pain.
A 2016 study (Russo, 2016) suggested that a lack of endocannabinoids — neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors — may be at the root of chronic pain syndromes, including migraines and fibromyalgia. Consumption of CBD may correct this deficiency, explaining the compound's success in alleviating chronic pain.
Of course, Research is ongoing, and the understanding of CBD will continue to be explored and published in time.
CBD’s efficacy:
CBD can effectively reduce pain, improve sleep, and diminish refractory pain for people with fibromyalgia.
Anecdotal data suggests that taking CBD oil may alleviate symptoms of fibromyalgia in some people. It may change the way that they process pain, with beneficial effects.
Quality research is now being conducted on this treatment method. New studies are finding benefits linked to this compound.
CBD has been found (ibid) to effectively reduce pain, improve sleep, and diminish refractory pain in patients with fibromyalgia, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, and similar conditions involving chronic pain.
CBD studies:
A 2015 review (Lynch and Ware, 2015) analysed research on CBD usage for chronic pain, though not specifically pain linked to fibromyalgia. Seven of the 11 studies included in the review demonstrated that CBD relieved pain.
A 2017 study (Njis, Loggia, Polli, Moens, Huysmans, Goudman, Meeus, Vanderweeen, Ickmans and Clauw, 2017) concluded that CBD might counteract the hypersensitivity of cells surrounding nerves in people with chronic pain, including those with fibromyalgia
.
Synthetic cannabis:
A 2016 Cochrane review (Walitt, Klose, Fitzcharles, Phillips and Hauser, 2016)) assessed the effects of a synthetic form of cannabis, called Nabilone, on fibromyalgia. Researchers found that it was poorly tolerated and had no significant benefits, compared to a placebo.
The future: Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness, and CBD will not cure it. Symptoms vary with time and from person to person. However, many with the condition find that experimenting with CBD oil and/or combinations of CBD applications can help to manage or eliminate symptoms. #CBD #gummybears #cbdoil #cbdheals #cbdhealth #cannabidiol #cannabidiolforhealth #cannabidiollife #hemp #hempoil #hemplife #cbdvape #chronicillness #chronicpain #chronic #chronicfatigue #chronicallyill #chronicpainwarrior #autoimmunedisease #disease #crohnsdisease #celiacdisease #coeliacdisease #lymedisease #heartdisease
