CBD and Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a medical condition mainly characterised by widespread chronic pain and heightened pain response to pressure. The condition that affects about 2 million people in the UK manifests itself with symptoms like memory troubles, tiredness that affects normal activities, and sleep problems.
In some patients, there are also issues like bowel or bladder problems, restless legs syndrome, numbness and tingling as well as sensitivity to temperature, noise or lights. This condition is frequently associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) depression and anxiety, as well as other types of chronic pain.
Currently, there’s no cure for fibromyalgia and specialists prescribe anti-depressants and painkillers to manage the condition’s symptoms. Usually, with these medications for pain and psychiatric disorders, side effects usually outweigh the benefits of the drugs. This is possibly why experts and those affected directly or indirectly by fibromyalgia are looking for alternatives like Cannabidiol (CBD) which is considered safer.
While CBD was discovered in 1940, its popularity recently surged with experts researching and finding it can help with a range of health conditions, including fibromyalgia. Many experts also have come out to dispute that CBD can actually help with fibromyalgia, something that leaves the patients with a big unanswered question of whether CBD helps with the management of fibromyalgia?
Does CBD Help With Fibromyalgia?
Cannabidiol possesses anti-inflammatory properties that aid in reducing heat as well as swelling that fibromyalgia patients experience which in turn causes pain. So CBD helps reduce such pain.
On top of that, Cannabidiol acts simultaneously on multiple pain targets by interacting with the peripheral and central nervous system (CNS). This way, CBD influences the receptors in the CNS, which is the path for signals throughout the body which fibromyalgia affects in patients. The release of serotonin influenced by CBD helps in pain relief in patients. Still, on pain, CBD stimulates endorphin which also helps with pain relief.
When one is depressed, the body produces its own anti-depressant known as anandamide or the “bliss molecule” which doesn’t last long because of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). With the intake of CBD, FAAH is inhibited, enabling anandamide to last long. This aids in reducing depression in fibromyalgia patients. Anandamide has also been seen to relief pain, providing more advantages.
Generally, by affecting secretion and working of serotonin, anandamides and opioids levels in the body, CBD helps to reduce pain experienced by people with fibromyalgia. This is very helpful, considering fibromyalgia patients experience a lot of pain because of the confusion that the body’s system experiences.
A research in 2017 concluded that Cannabidiol might counteract the hypersensitivity of cells surrounding nerves, therefore helps with fibromyalgia. Studies and reviews conducted have shown that CBD in fibromyalgia treatment helps to reduce pain, minimise refractory pain in patients and improve sleep. CBD has been proven to reduce psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorders, therefore, helps patients manage their condition.
These are some of the issues fibromyalgia patients suffer from. In Dutch research done in 2019, it was found that a combination of CBD and the other cannabinoid THC helps reduce pain in more people than placebo does.
Are There Any Concerns With CBD For Fibromyalgia?
Specialists think that more research needs to be done for some claims of the benefits of CBD. There is also the concern whether CBD for fibromyalgia works better alone or as medical marijuana which involves a combination with other compounds. Experts believe that a combination of CBD and other compounds may intensify Cannabidiol’s positive benefits, therefore offer more benefits.
One study in 2006 that needs more research found that CBD works better with THC in managing fibromyalgia symptoms. Of course, people are worried about the psychoactive properties of THC, especially when experts recommend a combination of both CBD and THC. Nevertheless, you can always find products with trace amounts of THC, which won’t give you a high effect.
Should One Be Worried About CBD Side Effects When Using It To Manage Fibromyalgia?
Cannabidiol enjoys the reputation of a safe product, especially due to its extremely fewer and temporary side effects. You might experience tiredness, diarrhoea or appetite changes, most of which are typical side effects of many medications.
Considering that medications for fibromyalgia have more serious side effects, it is worth trying CBD for your condition.
Can I Get CBD For Fibromyalgia In The UK?
Even if NHS doctors do not prescribe Cannabidiol, its sale and use in the UK is allowed as CBD is considered a supplement. The substance is legal, and anyone can purchase it to get its benefits which include helping with fibromyalgia symptoms.
Talk to a trusted CBD supplier who will not only offer quality products but also guide on the right Cannabidiol dosage for fibromyalgia.