How Can You Use CBD to Treat Fibromyalgia?

With the discovery of cannabidiol’s (CBD’s) therapeutic benefits, many people are now using CBD oil for fibromyalgia treatment. Even though fibromyalgia is incurable, CBD oil can help patients manage pain and other symptoms associated with the condition.

Research shows that 900,000 Canadians have fibromyalgia, which is approximately three percent of Canada’s population. The study also reveals that women are 4-9 times more likely to get the disease than men. Thankfully, CBD can alleviate the symptoms.

In this guide, we look at how you can use cannabidiol (CBD) to treat fibromyalgia. But first, we’ll have to look at what fibromyalgia is and its symptoms. Then, we’ll also look at what Cannabidiol (CBD) is before looking at how the compound works for fibromyalgia.

That said, let’s get started!

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal pain often accompanied by exhaustion and fatigue. The pain usually occurs in the soft tissues and muscles around the joints, skin, and other body organs. Notably, the pain can affect one area at the start then spreads.

The onset of fibromyalgia usually happens during early to middle adulthood as cases increase with age. However, fibromyalgia can also develop in children. The good news is that the condition is not life-threatening and cannot damage the muscles or joints.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Any person with fibromyalgia feels pain in their entire bones and muscles, accompanied by fatigue. The symptoms and level of pain vary in intensity, depending on the patient. Some patients may even experience inflammations.

Here are some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia you should know.

• Anxiety Burning sensation
• Chronic waxing and waning patterns 
• Depression 
• Exhaustion and fatigue 
• Headaches and migraines 
• Impaired memory and cognitive functions 
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) 
• Muscle tightness and spasms 
• Sleep problems (insomnia) 
• Tenderness

Causes of Fibromyalgia

Now that you know what fibromyalgia is, you might wonder what causes the condition. Unfortunately, doctors know little about the causes of fibromyalgia, but it could result from trauma or genetic. An individual is more likely to develop fibromyalgia if they:

• Are not physically active
• Suffer from other pain conditions
• Have a mood disorder
• Have been abused physically

Understanding the Basics of CBD (Cannabidiol)

Before we look at how CBD works for fibromyalgia, it’s vital to understand what CBD is. 

So what’s Cannabidiol (CBD)? Well, CBD is a cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp plants. It is among the over 80 cannabinoids in the plants and possesses several health benefits. That’s why many people use CBD products to treat many medical conditions.

Some of the conditions that CBD can treat include chronic pain, stress, and anxiety. Most people who have used CBD for various treatment purposes have reported positive outcomes. However, researches are still ongoing to confirm the claims by the patients.

One good thing about CBD is that it doesn’t have any psychoactive effects like THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). So, when you take CBD, you won’t feel “high.” On the other hand, an individual who consumes marijuana with high THC content will get high.

CBD manufacturers can obtain CBD from hemp or cannabis plants. However, hemp-derived CBD usually contains lower THC levels than cannabis-derived CBD. That’s the reason reputable CBD manufacturers like Zen Bliss use CBD from hemp plants. Check out our catalog today. 

What about CBD’s legality in Canada?

You might wonder if CBD is legal in Canada. CBD got legalized in Canada in 1998 for industrial applications. However, Health Canada’s laws strictly regulate the use of CBD. For example, any CBD product should not contain more than 0.3 percent of THC.

You can take CBD in many ways, including vaping, smoking, sublingual application, and topical application. However, most people prefer ingesting CBD infused in other edibles and as CBD gummies. The most common form of CBD globally is CBD oil. 

How CBD Oil for Fibromyalgia Treats the Condition

Studies show that cannabidiol (CBD) can help to relieve pain. However, researchers are still doing more research to verify CBD’s effectiveness on fibromyalgia. The good news is that some people with fibromyalgia have used CBD to manage the condition.

Generally, it is the CBD’s pain-relieving effect that is likely reducing chronic pain in fibromyalgia patients. That is because CBD acts on the nerve pathways sending pain signals between the brain and other body parts. As a result, it minimizes pain effects.

Other studies have also suggested that CBD helps to reduce glial cell activity. That is because when the cells over-react, they will increase reaction to sensation, which is a symptom of fibromyalgia. So, CBD tends to prevent glial cells from overreacting.

In some cases, CBD has helped some people treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and migraines, fibromyalgia symptoms. For fibromyalgia patients with inflammation, they can also use CBD to alleviate the symptoms. That’s because there is evidence that CBD can help to reduce inflammation of body cells.

In another study in 2011, researchers found that CBD had numerous health benefits for fibromyalgia patients. Fortunately, all the participants in that study felt sleepy, more relaxed, and had less muscle tension and pain after consuming cannabis products.

The good news is that more research is still ongoing to discover more benefits of CBD on fibromyalgia patients. Some studies have already proved the effectiveness of CBD, while others can’t decisively explain how CBD helps alleviate fibromyalgia symptoms.

Unfortunately, the strict laws and regulations around marijuana and CBD make finding the correct CBD dosage for fibromyalgia tricky. As a result, some researchers are having trouble controlling the dosage and potency of CBD. 

Despite the numerous benefits of CBD for fibromyalgia patients, it’s also essential that you know the side effects of CBD. That’s because they work just like other drugs, which also have side effects. However, CBD’s side effects are not as severe as other drugs.

Final Words

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most beneficial compounds in hemp plants since it has transformed medicine. Many people are now using CBD products to treat several health conditions like anxiety, stress, and pain. Besides, CBD has shown potential benefits to fibromyalgia patients. Thankfully, you now know how CBD oil for fibromyalgia works.