CBD oil is becoming a popular alternative treatment for people suffering with fibromyalgia.
Although there aren’t any studies looking at the benefits of CBD for this condition, there is some evidence that it can help with many of its symptoms, including pain, fatigue, insomnia, and anxiety.
More importantly, researchers believe that fibromyalgia and some other conditions are caused by insufficient endocannabinoid system function, which explains how CBD and cannabis might help.
Read on to learn more about what science says about using CBD for fibromyalgia.
How CBD Can Help
Research suggests that CBD can help with many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia, including chronic pain, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.
There’s also evidence that CBD can help with conditions that often co-exist in fibromyalgia patients, such as depression and anxiety.
CBD mainly works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
This network of cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids, and special enzymes regulates pain, immunity, brain function, and other processes to maintain homeostasis, a healthy state of balance.
There’s mounting evidence that fibromyalgia, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, and other conditions are caused by a dysfunction of the ECS called clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CED).
Since CBD can reduce the breakdown of anandamide, one of your body’s main endocannabinoids, it may help address this deficiency.
What the Studies Say
There isn’t any research looking at CBD in people with fibromyalgia. However, studies of cannabis — where CBD is usually the second-most important ingredient after THC — show promising results.
For example, one 2020 study looked at the benefits of adding medical cannabis to standard pain medication in 102 fibromyalgia patients. Cannabis oil significantly improved fibromyalgia severity (in 33% of patients) and sleep quality (in 44% of patients).
Meanwhile, a 2019 Dutch study compared the effects of vaping three cannabis varieties to placebo in 20 women with fibromyalgia.
The variety with more CBD than THC significantly lowered pain in 90% of the study participants compared to only 50% of those taking placebo.
Finally, a 2019 Israeli study of 367 fibromyalgia patients found that medical cannabis significantly reduced pain and other symptoms, with 81.1% of the participants seeing positive results.
The researchers concluded that “Medical cannabis appears to be a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of fibromyalgia symptoms.”
Additionally, research suggests that CBD can relieve chronic pain and other potential symptoms of fibromyalgia:
- In a 2019 study, CBD reduced opioid medication usage in chronic pain sufferers, suggesting that it’s an effective pain reliever
- In a 2020 study, CBD reduced pain in people with peripheral neuropathy
- Multiple clinical studies have shown that CBD can relieve anxiety
- Small doses of CBD may help promote wakefulness, which could help with fibromyalgia fatigue, while higher doses may improve sleep
- CBD has shown antidepressant properties in animal studies, which could help with mood issues related to fibromylagia
In summary, although further studies of CBD in fibromyalgia are needed, the current findings suggest that it may relieve pain and other symptoms and related conditions.
CBD Safety & Side Effects
Unlike its cousin THC, CBD is non-psychotropic so it won’t get you high.
Although CBD can cause side effects such as sleepiness, dry mouth, and diarrhea, they’re usually minor and were only reported in studies using high doses.
On the whole, research suggests that CBD is quite safe. Even the World Health Organization (WHO) considers CBD to be “generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.”
The Best Way to Use CBD for Fibromyalgia
If you’re going to try CBD for fibromyalgia, it’s best to use a full-spectrum CBD product.
Full-spectrum hemp extract contains all of the plant’s beneficial phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds. These natural substances work in synergy, enhancing the effects of CBD.
In particular, full-spectrum CBD oil is a great option thanks to its efficient absorption and relatively long-lasting effects. You can also use CBD vape oil, which is a better choice if you want immediate pain relief.
To find your ideal dosage, start with a small amount of CBD (10-15 mg), observe the effects over the next two hours, and then gradually raise the dose until you start to feel the desired effects.
Since fibromyalgia is a chronic condition linked to a deficient endocannabinoid system, it’s best to take CBD daily to boost your endocannabinoid levels.
