Fibromyalgia is one of those diseases that is rarely talked about, but affects a large number of people. According to recent reports, the use of cannabidiol (CBD) products, and especially CBD creams and CBD oils, to treat fibromyalgia has been increasing among fibromyalgia sufferers.
On the occasion of World Fibromyalgia Day, today on the Cannactiva blog we will talk a little more about it and explain the potential of CBD for fibromyalgia.
What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic disease that affects almost 2% of the entire world population, with a higher prevalence in women (1). It is characterized by multiple symptoms such as chronic widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances and cognitive impairment (2).
Fibromyalgia treatment primarily treats symptoms, with therapy consisting of a combination of medications (analgesics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants), physical therapy, exercise, and stress management techniques.
Because many people with fibromyalgia do not find sufficient relief with conventional treatments, or want to avoid the undesirable effects of certain medications, CBD and other cannabinoids have been positioned as possible alternatives for pain relief.
Cannabis for pain
The cannabis plant contains various cannabinoid compounds with therapeutic potential. Of these, the best known are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Both THC and CBD have been investigated for their efficacy in the treatment of chronic pain with highly variable results (3).
Scientific evidence supporting the use and effectiveness of cannabis in chronic pain disorders is abundant, especially in rheumatic diseases (4, 5). However, clinical data on the use of cannabinoids for fibromyalgia are limited (6).
CBD and Fibromyalgia
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from the hemp plant, has shown efficacy in treating some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia as perceived by users, according to a survey conducted in 2021 (11).
Little is known about the mechanisms involved in the pain relief that CBD may cause in individuals with fibromyalgia. However, there is evidence that CBD may help alleviate some of the symptoms related to this disease. Overall, CBD appears to have a great effect on improving the quality of life of people living day to day with the various symptoms associated with fibromyalgia (14).
CBD dosage for fibromyalgia
So far, no effective dose of CBD for fibromyalgia has been established, and scientific reports based on surveys vary widely in terms of reported dosage. Some researchers have even suggested that THC shows more promise than CBD for treating fibromyalgia.
For this reason, it is suggested that, in the case of using CBD oils, those with a minimum percentage of THC would be more effective, which are Full Spectrum CBD oils, rather than pure or broad spectrum CBD. In cannabis, components work best when they are in synergy with other cannabinoids, something that was already discussed when talking about the benefits of full-spectrum CBD oil.
Although some studies have reported that patients experience improvements in chronic pain with CBD treatment (12), one study showed no reduction in pain with a CBD-rich cannabis product (13). However, in the latter study, the authors stated that the result may have been due to the use of a very low dose of CBD.
Safety and tolerability of CBD for fibromyalgia
CBD has a favorable safety profile compared to many traditional fibromyalgia treatments. Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and gastrointestinal upset, which are usually mild and transient. However, potential interactions of CBD with medications should be considered, as CBD may inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the metabolism of various medications.
A physician should be consulted before attempting to use CBD or any cannabinoid for fibromyalgia relief, especially if you are taking other prescription medications.
How long does it take for CBD to work for fibromyalgia symptoms?
The time it takes for CBD to take effect can vary depending on the form of administration (oil, capsules, topical creams, etc.), dosage and individual body response, as well as other factors such as stress reduction and lifestyle. Some users report feeling relief within minutes, while others may need several days or weeks of continuous use to notice significant improvement.
Can CBD cause dependence or serious side effects?
CBD is not addictive and generally has mild and transient side effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness. However, on rare occasions, some people may experience more serious side effects. It is always advisable to start with low doses and increase gradually, under the supervision of a health professional.
Because many people with fibromyalgia do not find complete relief with conventional treatments or want to avoid the undesirable effects of these medications, they have sought alternatives such as CBD and other cannabinoids.
THC and Fibromyalgia
The therapeutic effectiveness of cannabis with marijuana-type THC in treating pain associated with fibromyalgia has been reported by several studies (7, 8). It has also been suggested that THC positively affects appetite and mood (9). However, there are currently no standardized clinical recommendations.
Marijuana is not well accepted by all fibromyalgia patients due to the risk of "high" effects, so many seek other options, such as CBD.
Although THC is known to be an effective analgesic, combining it with CBD, which has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, could enhance its effects, making cannabis a stronger choice for pain relief (10).
What is the difference between CBD and THC in the treatment of fibromyalgia?
CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that can help relieve pain and inflammation without causing the "high" associated with THC, another cannabinoid that does have psychoactive effects. Some people find relief using CBD alone, while others may benefit more from a combination of both compounds.
Conclusion
The legalization of cannabis products, coupled with scientific and empirical evidence on the effectiveness of THC and CBD in treating fibromyalgia, continues to evolve. CBD appears to be adequate in relieving some of the symptoms of this disease. On the other hand, pain relief with THC has been documented to a greater extent. However, there is a theory that cannabis products that include both THC and CBD may be of greater benefit for conditions involving chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia.
For the time being, it is important to consider that the use of CBD seems to improve the overall quality of life and, therefore, in the future it could represent a viable complementary therapy for those suffering from fibromyalgia, always under professional advice and supervision.
Note: This is an informational article and is not intended to prevent, diagnose or treat any disease. Its content can complement, but should never replace, the diagnosis or treatment of any disease or symptom. Cannactiva products are not medicines and are intended for external use. There may be new relevant scientific evidence since the date of publication. Consult with your physician before using CBD. The therapeutic approach must always be personalized and depends on the professional assessment.
References
- Heidari, F., Afshari, M., & Moosazadeh, M. (2017). Prevalence of fibromyalgia in general population and patients, a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rheumatology international, 37(9), 1527-1539. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-017-3725-2
- Clauw D. J. (2009). Fibromyalgia: an overview. The American journal of medicine, 122(12 Suppl), S3-S13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.09.006
- Fitzcharles, MA., Baerwald, C., Ablin, J. et al. Efficacy, tolerability and safety of cannabinoids in chronic pain associated with rheumatic diseases (fibromyalgia syndrome, back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis). Schmerz 30, 47-61 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00482-015-0084-3
- Gonen, T., & Amital, H. (2020). Cannabis and Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Rheumatic Diseases. Rambam Maimonides medical journal, 11(1), e0007. https://doi.org/10.5041/RMMJ.10389
- Katz-Talmor, D., Katz, I., Porat-Katz, B. S., & Shoenfeld, Y. (2018). Cannabinoids for the treatment of rheumatic diseases - where do we stand?. Nature reviews. Rheumatology, 14(8), 488-498. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41584-018-0025-5.
- Skrabek, R. Q., Galimova, L., Ethans, K., & Perry, D. (2008). Nabilone for the treatment of pain in fibromyalgia. The journal of pain, 9(2), 164-173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2007.09.002
- Habib, G., & Avisar, I. (2018). The Consumption of Cannabis by Fibromyalgia Patients in Israel. Pain research and treatment, 2018, 7829427. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/7829427
- Sagy, I., Bar-Lev Schleider, L., Abu-Shakra, M., & Novack, V. (2019). Safety and Efficacy of Medical Cannabis in Fibromyalgia. Journal of clinical medicine, 8(6), 807. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8060807
- Kogan, N. M., & Mechoulam, R. (2007). Cannabinoids in health and disease. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 9(4), 413-430. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2007.9.4/nkogan
- Vučković, S., Srebro, D., Vujović, K. S., Vučetić, Č., & Prostran, M. (2018). Cannabinoids and Pain: New Insights From Old Molecules. Frontiers in pharmacology, 9, 1259. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.01259.
- Boehnke, K. F., Gagnier, J. J., Matallana, L., & Williams, D. A. (2021). Cannabidiol Use for Fibromyalgia: Prevalence of Use and Perceptions of Effectiveness in a Large Online Survey. The journal of pain, 22(5), 556-566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2020.12.001
- Schilling, J. M., Hughes, C. G., Wallace, M. S., Sexton, M., Backonja, M., & Moeller-Bertram, T. (2021). Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Survey of Patients' Perspectives and Attitudes. Journal of pain research, 14, 1241-1250. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S278718
- van de Donk, T., Niesters, M., Kowal, M. A., Olofsen, E., Dahan, A., & van Velzen, M. (2019). An experimental randomized study on the analgesic effects of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis in chronic pain patients with fibromyalgia. Pain, 160(4), 860-869. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001464
- Berger, A. A., Keefe, J., Winnick, A., Gilbert, E., Eskander, J. P., Yazdi, C., Kaye, A. D., Viswanath, O., & Urits, I. (2020). Cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Best practice & research. Clinical anaesthesiology, 34(3), 617-631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpa.2020.08.010
- Sexton, M., Cuttler, C., Finnell, J. S., & Mischley, L. K. (2016). A Cross-Sectional Survey of Medical Cannabis Users: Patterns of Use and Perceived Efficacy. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 1(1), 131-138. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0007
