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As there is currently no cure for fibromyalgia, those suffering from it feel like they are forced to learn to live with the pain. Although fibromyalgia treatments, such as nerve and pain medications and antidepressants, do work to some degree, the pain can feel relentless and leave patients seeking alternatives to manage their symptoms.
One of these alternatives is taking CBD for fibromyalgia pain and symptom relief. Specifically, taking CBD oil for fibromyalgia has shown promising results in recent studies.
Before we get to that, let’s start off with the basics.
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia (FM) or fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex disorder that is characterised by musculoskeletal pain in the whole body, which is usually accompanied by memory, sleep, and mood issues. Painful sensations are amplified, which affects the processing of painful and nonpainful signals by the brain and spinal cord.
Although fibromyalgia is experienced by men, it is more common in women. It’s thought that 2-4% of the population experience the condition overall.
The symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Wide Spread Pain: Constant dull ache can be felt across the body consistently for at least 3 months.
- Fatigue: Patients usually wake up tired even if they have slept for a long time. They also report disturbed sleep due to pain and discomfort.
- Cognitive issues: These issues are usually termed as ‘fibro fog.’ The capability to concentrate and pay attention is reduced significantly.
Fibromyalgia symptoms commonly begin after an infection, surgery, trauma, and severe psychological stress. Sometimes there are no triggering events, and the symptoms gradually accumulate over time and show at once.
Fibromyalgia usually co-exists with other health conditions, including:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Migraines and other types of headaches
- Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome
- Temporomandibular joint disorders
- Anxiety and depression
- Postural tachycardia syndrome
Patients often have an uphill battle when receiving a fibromyalgia diagnosis. They are commonly sent home from their doctor’s office with prescriptions that help address fibromyalgia symptoms but not the root causes, and more often than not, it can be a ‘trial and error’ method to find the right medications.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD as it’s more commonly known, is one of many compounds derived from the hemp plant, which is part of the cannabis family and known for its multitude of health benefits. However, unlike traditional cannabis, it contains less than 0.2% Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which provides you the “high,” which is why it is rising in popularity along with being perceived as a natural alternative to common medications prescribed by medical professionals and those available over the counter at pharmacies and health stores.
How Does CBD Work?
ECS, or the endocannabinoid system, is a complex cell signalling mechanism that was discovered in the 90s when scientists were trying to explore the properties of THC and its effect on the human body. Research is still being carried out to know the exact functions of ECS, but it helps in regulating numerous physiological functions like sleep, appetite, memory, mood, and fertility. The Endocannabinoid system is made up of three main components; endocannabinoids, receptors and enzymes.
Endocannabinoids are chemical compounds produced by the cells of the human body and interact with certain receptors to help the brain carry out numerous functions. CBD and THC have similar structures to that of the endocannabinoids, which is why they can also interact with ECS.
Endocannabinoid receptors are found all across the body and offer binding sites to the endocannabinoids. The two most popular endocannabinoid receptors are the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are uncovered in the central nervous system, whereas CB2 receptors are densely concentrated in the peripheral nervous system, including the immune cells.
Enzymes work to break down the endocannabinoids which have carried out their function and are ready to be dissolved.
These receptors carry out numerous functions, including:
- Appetite and digestion
- Metabolism
- Chronic pain
- Sleep
- Cardiovascular system function
- Muscle formation
- Liver function
- Reproductive system function
- Bone remodeling and growth
- Inflammation and other immune system responses
- Mood
- Learning and memory
- Motor control
- Stress
The chemical structure of CBD resembles anandamide, one of the endocannabinoids produced by the cells of the human body. CBD does not directly hook to the CB2 receptors like anandamide but allows the reuptake of the endocannabinoid by restricting the activity of enzymes that allows the endocannabinoid to function for a limited time.
As CBD helps in the functioning of ECS, it can promote overall stability and balance by controlling pain, inflammation, and infection.
Fibromyalgia and Endocannabinoids
There is no solid evidence on how fibromyalgia and the endocannabinoid system are connected. However, since we know that ECS plays a key role in pain and inflammation management, its dysfunction or restricted working may cause fibromyalgia.
A 2016 study suggested that lack of endocannabinoids in the body could also be a root cause of chronic health issues like fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome as there is no other visible cause of the diseases. Using external sources of cannabinoids, such as CBD, may help reduce the symptoms or even cure the disease. However, we don’t have enough studies in place to prove that just yet!
Taking CBD for Fibromyalgia
Despite there being strong pieces of evidence that CBD is extremely helpful in relieving pain and inflammation and is one of the safest solutions, there are limited studies to show how it could be helpful for fibromyalgia.
A study conducted in 2020 suggests that cannabis may have a positive effect on fibromyalgia, but we need research to be carried out on a larger population for more accurate results. CBD is not regulated to be used as a medicine for fibromyalgia in the UK and Europe; however, it is still a popular choice for seeking relief from pain and inflammation because of its incredible properties.
It is hard to tell the exact mechanism of how CBD may help with fibromyalgia. Still, theories suggest that the pain-relieving effect of CBD can help in seeking temporary relief from fibromyalgia symptoms.
The CBD industry offers innovative delivery methods that can be utilised differently for fibromyalgia. We’ll share our favourites below.
CBD Oil for Fibromyalgia
The most common method of CBD consumption is by mouth or sublingually. Oral CBD consumption has a lower absorption rate, as it has to pass through the digestive system, however, it is popular due to ease of use.
Of all the oral CBD products available, CBD oil is fast becoming a favourite natural alternative to traditional medications. You can take CBD oil directly under your tongue, or add it to drinks if you prefer to dilute the taste, making it easy to take discreetly.
At Prym Health, our premium CBD oil comes in two strengths, 600mg and 1200mg. Both come with a handy dropper so you can trial various doses to find the best for your needs. We recommend you start with 600mg before moving on to 1200mg if you find 600mg doesn’t provide the relief you need.
Topical CBD for Fibromyalgia
CBD topicals can be used directly on the skin and are best for providing localised pain relief. If you find specific areas of your body are inflamed or ache, using topical CBD for fibromyalgia pain relief could be an effective choice for you.
Topical CBD products typically come as creams, lotions, gels and salves to make them easy to apply. At Prym Health, we also have CBD patches, which can easily be applied to various hair-free areas of the body for a slow release of CBD over a period of 24 hours.
Tips For Taking CBD For Fibromyalgia
With CBD being a powerful, plant-based, anti-inflammatory, therapeutic resource, it’s easy to see why those suffering from fibromyalgia are drawn to it.
However, it is important to note that it is not a magical cure that will immediately take away all your fibromyalgia symptoms.
Here are some things to consider if you would like to try CBD for fibromyalgia pain relief:
CBD takes time
As with most herbal medicines, using them once will limit the benefits. Most studies show that consistent use of CBD is required to see a systemic, long-term benefit. Based on feedback from our customers, a trial and error approach over a period of two weeks, in the morning and night, will help you find the right dosage and delivery method. However, once you find what works for you, use it consistently to reap the benefits.
Using high-quality CBD products
As with most health products, the quality and purity can vary drastically. Therefore, effectiveness for fibromyalgia pain or other symptoms, can be affected by poor plant nutrition, the use of pesticides and other chemical exposure. This means that it’s vital to consider the quality of CBD products before purchasing.
Consult your GP or pharmacist
If you’re unsure of the best dose to take, or whether taking CBD is right for you, we recommend that you consult your GP or pharmacist before taking CBD oil for fibromyalgia pain relief.
Natural alternatives such as CBD should not be used in place of traditional pain medications.
The Best CBD for Fibromyalgia
For its ease of use and varied strengths available, taking CBD oil for fibromyalgia has proven popular for all the right reasons. We recommend starting out with 600mg CBD Oil Drops and trialing the dose to find the best one to help manage your symptoms.
At Prym Health, we’re passionate about providing the highest quality health and wellness CBD products. Using premium and laboratory-tested CBD, we’ve created a wide range of CBD products, including CBD Oil Drops, CBD Topicals, CBD Suppositories and CBD Bundles.
For a limited time, we are offering readers 20% off this supplement with code FIBRO20.