CBD for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition that belongs to the rheumatic spectrum, although this classification is now more than controversial. Above all, it is one of the pain syndromes. In fibromyalgia, one particularly experiences chronic muscle pain and pain in the rest of the musculoskeletal system.

Fatigue, sleep disorders, digestive problems, and hypersensitivity to stimuli can also occur. Two out of a hundred people are affected by fibromyalgia syndrome, with women being six to seven times more likely to develop it than men.

Diagnosing fibromyalgia is difficult. It is suspected that the cause of the disease lies in a dysfunction of the central nervous system, where the body processes pain signals incorrectly. However, the exact causes are still unknown.

However, it is known that certain factors can increase the risk of developing fibromyalgia. These include, for example, stress in work and everyday life, as well as other psychological burdens such as abuse in childhood or adulthood. Too little physical activity, smoking, or obesity can also contribute to the onset of the disease. However, fibromyalgia can also occur as a result of another illness, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

The term "fibromyalgia" stands for fiber-muscle pain and thus describes the central symptom of the disease. The syndrome develops over a long period and is often not diagnosed. This is because the symptoms are diverse and vary in severity among patients. Many sufferers are sent from doctor to doctor until they receive a confirmed diagnosis.

Sufferers often report chronic muscle pain that lasts for months. The pain often starts in the back and then spreads to the arms and legs. So far, the pain cannot be explained by pathological processes. Other main symptoms include sleep problems and exhaustion. Many also react hypersensitively to stimuli or have psychological complaints (inner restlessness, anxiety, depression).

Since the triggers and disease mechanisms are only partially known, therapy does not aim for a cure, but rather to alleviate the symptoms. In this disease, often not just one form of treatment alone leads to an improvement in symptoms, but a combination of different types of therapy.

An important component of fibromyalgia treatment is exercise. Doctors recommend doing endurance training at low to moderate intensity two to three times a week. Suitable sports include: hiking, swimming, cycling, dancing, aquajogging, and walking.

The functions of the joints and muscles (flexibility, strength, and coordination) should also be specifically trained. Physical treatments such as heat therapy can also improve symptoms. Some patients are also helped by whole-body cryotherapy, where they stay in a cold chamber with extremely low temperatures for a few minutes. So-called balneotherapy with medicinal baths can also provide relief.

Psychotherapy and relaxation techniques can also be very effective in combating symptoms. In psychotherapy, the therapist, in cooperation with the patient, uncovers thought and perception patterns that negatively influence the course of the disease. If these are broken, it can significantly change pain perception.

Various relaxation techniques can reduce stress and thus also alleviate the symptoms of people with fibromyalgia. These include, for example, autogenic training, yoga, and meditation.

Medication can be an important component of therapy in severe cases. Although fibromyalgia has been diagnosed for over a century, conventional medicine still has no treatment that cures the disease. Therefore, doctors often prescribe painkillers that only alleviate the symptoms. Since the symptoms of fibromyalgia patients vary greatly, the doctor must tailor the therapy to each patient individually.

Patients who develop co-occurring mental illnesses such as anxiety or depression may benefit from medications like antidepressants in addition to cognitive-behavioral therapy. Another group of medications for fibromyalgia therapy are the so-called anticonvulsants. These are medications developed for the treatment of nerve pain and epilepsy, but they can also relieve pain and improve sleep.

Most common painkillers often remain ineffective. Either they are poorly tolerated or they eventually stop working. As a result, sufferers constantly have to increase the dose, which places an immense strain on the body in the long run. The long-term use of painkillers has always been critically evaluated by doctors, as conventional painkillers often lead to significant side effects. Painkillers such as diclofenac, coxibs, and ibuprofen stress the digestive tract and the circulatory system.

The constant intake of these medications can lead to stomach bleeding and even a heart attack or heart failure. Therefore, doctors prescribe alternative treatments for fibromyalgia patients. In particular, CBD products are said to have therapeutic successes that go beyond pain therapy and are already prescribed by many doctors due to positive experiences.

Many patients are now trying CBD products, as they are very well tolerated as a natural product and can have various positive effects on the organism. Exactly how CBD works has not yet been fully researched, but it is known that the hemp extract can have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. CBD can be used orally, via a vaporizer, or directly on the skin.

Those looking for immediate pain relief should use a CBD liquid. Smoking CBD-containing liquid is the fastest way to alleviate symptoms. Inhaling leads to faster absorption into the bloodstream than sublingual administration.

The pain-relieving effect of CBD probably has two causes. On the one hand, it dampens the nerve impulses that humans perceive as pain; on the other hand, it increases the activation of serotonin receptors. This leads to an effect comparable to an increasing serotonin level, which results in a generally better mood and thus increased self-healing powers of the body.

In 2016, Israeli and American researchers discovered in a study with 176 participants that a lack of endocannabinoids, the body's own cannabinoids, could possibly be the cause of chronic pain, such as migraines and fibromyalgia. This would explain the success of many cannabis therapies in pain patients. CBD can also help to restore the balance of the endocannabinoid system. It is therefore possible that CBD oil can make us more resistant to stress and discomfort.

CBD is not addictive and has low toxicity, which means that an overdose is practically impossible. However, interactions with medications are possible, which is why you should always consult your doctor before taking CBD.

However, several clinical studies are needed to provide a definitive explanation and scientific proof. Such studies cost many millions of euros, take several years, and sometimes involve thousands of patients. Only a few large pharmaceutical companies worldwide can shoulder this effort, which is necessary for the approval of new medications.

However, since these findings are still new and require further review, and fibromyalgia can also have other causes, whether the hemp extract can help in individual cases depends on the personal combination of pain causes. Nevertheless, it is worth a try. Because if it works, affected individuals can achieve side-effect-poor pain relief, through which they can reduce or even completely stop taking conventional painkillers.