Using CBD oil for fibromyalgia

About 2% to 4% of the world's population suffers from fibromyalgia. People with this disease are constantly looking for alternative treatments to manage their symptoms.

The use of CBD oil for fibromyalgia is gaining popularity. According to studies, cannabidiol can relieve chronic pain, depression and sleep disorders. Today we will tell you how and under what conditions this can happen.

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a medical condition characterized by widespread and chronic muscle pain. The term "fibromyalgia" was first used in 1976, although the condition has been known since 1904 as fibrositis.

The constant pain of fibromyalgia can significantly affect patients' quality of life. It can interfere with people's ability to work, carry out daily tasks and maintain normal relationships.

Unfortunately, many people with fibromyalgia go undiagnosed, which makes treating the symptoms even more difficult. Among the most common symptoms are:

widespread pain

muscle weakness and stiffness

chronic fatigue and general exhaustion

poor sleep quality

depression or anxiety

concentration and memory problems

headache

numbness in hands and feet

digestive problems

Although it's a relatively common medical problem, doctors still don't know what causes fibromyalgia. That is why there are no drugs capable of completely curing the symptoms.

Available treatments can provide temporary relief and help manage symptoms during a flare-up. Therefore, alternative ways are being sought, such as the use of CBD oil for fibromyalgia.

What do we know about CBD hemp oil?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the many cannabinoids found naturally in the cannabis plant. CBD extracts are obtained from industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa), a specially grown plant with a low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.

Methods for extracting CBD oil include:

CBD extraction through olive oil – the olive oil is heated to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and the vapors are filtered through the plant. But this process can reduce the potency of the leaves, requiring higher doses to achieve an effect.

CBD solvent extraction using ethanol or butane.

Supercritical CO2 extraction is widely used and considered a clean and cost-effective method for extracting CBD oil.

The extraction method does not have a major impact on the effect of CBD oil on fibromyalgia and other diseases.

THC is a cannabinoid also found in cannabis plants. Unlike CBD, however, THC is the compound in cannabis that causes psychoactive effects when taken in high concentration.

Therefore, the THC content of hemp-derived CBD products is highly controlled.

What else you need to know about CBD and THC hemp oil, read in the article on the subject.

Using CBD oil for fibromyalgia

Currently, no studies can provide conclusive evidence that CBD hemp oil is a reliable treatment for fibromyalgia. Most research looks at the use of medical cannabis for fibromyalgia, not just CBD oil.

Although medical cannabis also contains CBD, it is not readily available to the public due to its high THC content. Commercial and legal hemp-derived CBD contains less than 0.3% THC, while medical marijuana can contain up to 5% THC.

Scientists suggest that the cause of fibromyalgia may be related to the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Research shows that clinical endocannabinoid deficiency or a reduction in endocannabinoid function can lead to higher sensitivity to pain, as well as disturbances in mood, sleep, and digestive system functions.

The therapeutic benefits of CBD oil for fibromyalgia derive precisely from the compound's interaction with the body's endocannabinoid system. It consists of endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors and enzymes.

What are endocannabinoids?

Endocannabinoids are similar to plant cannabinoids, or phytocannabinoids, such as CBD and THC. However, they are produced naturally by the human body. Endocannabinoids interact with cannabinoid receptors to help the body function properly.

What are cannabinoid receptors for?

Cannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body. Studies have noted two main types of cannabinoid receptors in humans, CB1 and CB2. Both CB1 and CB2 receptors are found primarily in the nervous system.

CB1 receptors are largely abundant in the central nervous system and are involved in pain regulation. Research also notes that CB1 receptors play a role in chronic pain and neurodegenerative disorders such as multiple sclerosis and Huntington's disease.

Meanwhile, CB2 receptors are mainly found in immune cells and the peripheral nervous system. These receptors are responsible for helping to regulate the body's immune system and inflammatory response.

Research shows that instead of binding to the receptors, CBD affects and helps prevent their over-activation.

CBD has also been shown to affect CB2 receptors and inhibit immune cell migration, which triggers an anti-inflammatory response. All of this is a plus for using CBD oil for fibromyalgia.

Although widespread pain, inflammation and muscle tenderness are the defining symptoms of fibromyalgia, the condition also greatly affects the brain. This is evident in symptoms such as anxiety, depression or difficulty concentrating and remembering information.

CBD's interactions with CB1 receptors may help reduce anxiety and regulate fear in fibromyalgia.

Pros and cons of using CBD oil for fibromyalgia

Now that you know how CBD oil can help you with fibromyalgia, we'll break down the pros and cons of treating it so you can make an informed decision if you're considering trying this alternative.

Advantages:

CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. It does not cause hallucinations like marijuana.

CBD oil from industrial hemp and other CBD products contain only trace amounts of THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis plants.

The therapeutic benefits of CBD oil for fibromyalgia may help reduce chronic pain levels and alleviate inflammation, based on the studies mentioned earlier.

CBD can help with co-morbidities or overlapping conditions with fibromyalgia, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Using CBD oil for fibromyalgia can improve sleep quality, relieve anxiety and depression, and reduce stress.

Long-term use of CBD in high doses (up to 1500 mg per day) is well tolerated and does not cause serious adverse effects.

Disadvantages:

Using CBD for fibromyalgia is considered safe, although you may still experience side effects, such as loss of appetite or sleepiness.

CBD can have potential adverse interactions with other medications, which can make existing symptoms worse. Using CBD oil for fibromyalgia along with anti-anxiety medications may also increase the risk of drowsiness and sedation.

There are still countries where CBD oil is considered an illegal product or have specific restrictions on the use of CBD products.

CBD oil for fibromyalgia in combination with other treatments

Unfortunately, the medications available to relieve fibromyalgia come with many side effects. For example, duloxetine and milnacipran, two drugs approved to treat fibromyalgia, can cause high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and tremors.

CBD oil, despite possible side effects, still has a good safety profile, according to the WHO.

Many fibromyalgia patients are turning to CBD and other alternative and natural treatments to avoid the serious side effects of traditional medications.

Exercise can help manage fibromyalgia symptoms, such as stiffness and pain. Yoga can also provide therapeutic benefits and meditation opportunities for a better state of mind. It is good that you can combine them with taking CBD oil for fibromyalgia.

Experts note that a combination of different treatments often provides the best results for patients with the disease.

Dietary supplements are also a popular alternative treatment for fibromyalgia. For example, melatonin supplements are often used to improve sleep quality.

CBD oil products containing ingredients such as melatonin and curcumin are now available in the market to provide better therapeutic health benefits.

Curcumin is a compound derived from turmeric that offers anti-inflammatory benefits and can help manage arthritis, muscle soreness and anxiety.

CBD oil for fibromyalgia - choosing the right product, dosage and intake

Which product to choose?

CBD oil products come in three main types: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and pure CBD isolates. While all three strains offer therapeutic benefits, only full-spectrum CBD contains THC, which may provide additional analgesic effects.

In full-spectrum CBD products, the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds enhance each other's therapeutic benefits.

A few more tips for choosing a quality product:

Look for CBD oil made from non-genetically modified (non-GMO) hemp plants. It is also recommended to choose hemp oil extracted from whole plants.

The best CBD oils are also often from brands that have transparency about the sourcing, cultivation and extraction of the oil.

High-quality and safe CBD products must be tested in independent laboratories and have a certificate.

How Much CBD Oil Should I Take for Fibromyalgia?

Beginners are always advised to start with a low dose and slowly increase it if needed. There is no official recommended dose of CBD oil for fibromyalgia, although there are recommended doses for specific symptoms of the disease. Here's a few examples:

Chronic pain – 2.5-20 mg CBD per day

Insomnia or sleep disorders – 40-160 mg CBD per day

Anxiety disorder - 6.7-10 mg. CBD per kilogram of body weight per day (or an average of at least 400 mg CBD per day)

However, talking to a health professional familiar with CBD is one of the safest ways to determine the right dose of CBD oil for fibromyalgia.

How to take CBD oil for fibromyalgia?

The speed at which CBD oil takes effect for fibromyalgia patients depends largely on the method of administration chosen. For example, inhalation or steaming with CBD has a bioavailability (absorption rate) of 34% to 46% within 10 minutes.

A popular method of consuming CBD oil is to take it sublingually – holding CBD oil or tincture under the tongue for up to one minute before swallowing. CBD oils and tinctures usually have labeled droppers for easier dosage measurement.

For topical CBD options, fibromyalgia patients can choose from creams, lotions, ointments, balms, gels, or transdermal patches. They may be more suitable for people who want targeted pain relief.

This is from us! If with this article we have managed to convince you of the beneficial effects of CBD oil in fibromyalgia, you can consult a specialist about whether it is appropriate to try it as an alternative treatment.

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