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Can CBD Oil help people suffering from Fibromyalgia?

BY READERS DIGEST

18th Dec 2020 Health Conditions

Can CBD Oil help people suffering from Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes unbearable pain, suffering, and distress to a patient. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown. Still, scientists and researchers believe that it is caused by either rheumatoid arthritis, traumatic injury, genetic factors and autoimmune disorders such as lupus, or a combination of more than one of these conditions.

Many people confuse Fibromyalgia with arthritis or joint inflammation as these conditions share several symptoms with Fibromyalgia. Although, there is a clear distinction between Fibromyalgia and arthritis as the former affects the soft tissue while the latter is primarily a condition that affects bones and joints. 

There is no known cure for Fibromyalgia, although medications, lifestyle changes, and diet can help soothe the pain and distress caused by it. In this article, we will discuss how people who have Fibromyalgia can benefit when they buy CBD oil.

What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of more than 100 phytocannabinoids found in hemp or cannabis. CBD, unlike its more famous cousin THC is not a psychoactive substance - it will not make you feel high, as is the case with THC. Most jurisdictions stipulate that the total THC content of any CBD product such as CBD oil, CBD capsules, or CBD tablets must not exceed 0.3%. This limit is stringently enforced to ensure that CBD products are used only for therapeutic or medicinal purposes. 

CBD has been used for treating various ailments for centuries. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties and is a proven pain reliever. CBD has also been approved by FDA and drug regulators in the UK, and EU for use as a drug against epileptic seizures. 

How CBD Works?

CBD interacts with our endocannabinoid system by attaching with CB2 receptors that are found throughout our body. The endocannabinoid system is an integral part of our nervous system. It plays an important although not fully understood role in several physiological and cognitive functions such as appetite, mood, fertility, memory, pain-sensation etc. 

How can CBD help with Fibromyalgia?

Researchers cannot pinpoint the exact cause of Fibromyalgia, and this poses a question when it comes to finding treatment as a disease that is not fully understood is quite challenging to treat. CBD oil offers some hope with Fibromyalgia as there is some evidence to suggest that CBD can help treat Fibromyalgia or at least relieve the symptoms associated with it. 

CBD oil has a pain-relieving effect when it interacts with our brain through CB2 receptors that are found in the endocannabinoid system. CBD is also supposed to induce production of natural cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) in our body, and a study conducted in 2016 suggested that endocannabinoid deficiency may be the root cause of several painful chronic conditions such as Fibromyalgia, and Migraine. 

What research says

The scientific community has only recently started to consider CBD oil as a treatment for a wide range of ailments, and thus research is in the preliminary stage. Still, several studies have proved the effectiveness of CBD for relieving pain and reducing inflammation. Inflammation is often among the primary reasons for chronic pain disorders such as arthritis, and some consider it to be among the leading causes of Fibromyalgia. 

A recent review concluded that CBD oil could indeed help relieve chronic pain, reduce inflammation, and may also improve the quality and duration of sleep. Researchers in this review concluded that there is evidence that CBD can help people suffering from Fibromyalgia. However, further evidence is needed as the current amount of data is not enough to arrive at a conclusion. 

A randomized study conducted in 2019 looked into the analgesic effects of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis in chronic pain patients with Fibromyalgia. Researchers used Bediol, a drug containing both THC and CBD and found that patients administered Bediol reported a 30% decrease in pain compared with those who were given a placebo. Some other results in this study were inconclusive, and it was also unclear as if this reduction in pain was a result of THC, CBD or both. 

Another study conducted in 2017 analysed the effect of CBD oil on hypersensitive of cells surrounding nerves in people suffering from chronic pain, including those who have Fibromyalgia. This study concluded that CBD oil might counteract the hypersensitivity of cells surrounding nerves, or in other words, CBD can reduce the pain. Although, researchers conducting this study also emphasized the need for further research to know the exact effect of CBD on chronic pain. 

A 2015 systematic review of randomized controlled trials also concluded that CBD oil relieves pain. Another 2015 review of 28 randomized, clinically controlled medical trials of medical cannabis for the treatment of chronic pain also concluded that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that CBD oil can relieve chronic pain. Both these reviews were based on trails that investigated the effects of CBD on chronic pain, and these reviews did not include many trials that were focused solely on the impact of CBD on Fibromyalgia. 

Almost all the researchers who investigated the effects of CBD on Fibromyalgia reported some positive evidence of its effectiveness in relieving the chronic pain associated with Fibromyalgia. Although, many studies suggested that there is a need for further research as not many studies have been conducted in the past that specifically examined the role of CBD as a treatment for Fibromyalgia. Still, results of almost all these studies are positive, and there is hope that in future, more evidence will be uncovered that will confirm that CBD can help treat Fibromyalgia.  

Conclusion

CBD is already administered for relieving chronic pain caused by several diseases and ailments. Past studies have shown that CBD has quite strong analgesic properties and is used by millions to reduce the pain caused by arthritis, injuries, and other conditions. 

Medical community have only recently awakened to the fact that CBD oil can help those suffering from Fibromyalgia and there are studies underway looking into the therapeutic properties of CBD that will hopefully find a way to treat Fibromyalgia with CBD oil. Preliminary evidence suggests that CBD can help relieve the chronic pain caused by Fibromyalgia and may also possibly become an essential tool in the fight against Fibromyalgia. 

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