Mankind has forever been plagued by diseases, which have kept science and medicine on their toes for as long as we have existed. Of the perpetrators, fibromyalgia has gained notoriety as being an intractable condition that is defined by widespread, chronic pain that leaves the patient feeling debilitated.
However, a recent study that was published in Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology demonstrated that CBD could be used as an effective remedy in treating the symptoms related to fibromyalgia, at least in some patients.
Cannabis and CBD research has been stifled with unnecessary roadblocks and methodological resistance, kudos to the archaic and anachronistic regulations that deem cannabis as being more dangerous than the likes of oxycontin or fentanyl- a surprise how deep-pocketed pharma companies are able to ‘bribe’ or lobby senators in Congress to perpetuate their cause.
This study by Italian scientists rises from the crowd as the research is applicable to those who are trying to adopt a safer, natural alternative to treating fibromyalgia. CBD against fibromyalgia is a possibility.
The Study
The study involved over a hundred patients at the Luigi Sacco University Hospital in Milan, Italy. Of the group that included 100 people, 66 of them were interviewed over 6 months of treatment. The average participant age was 52 years, and close to 90% of the group were women- Women make up a vast majority of the people who are affected by fibromyalgia.
The study was focusing on the patients who were stably taking medication but were unable to find relief, also called refractory patients. Half of the group were taking 2 other drugs, while 1/3rd of the remaining took at least 3 different prescription medications for their fibromyalgia and its related symptoms. Most of these prescriptive drugs were potent central sedatives that include nerve blockers, anti-depressants, anti-convulsant and opioids.
The intensity of the drugs that people were taking was high, and a jaw-dropping 47% of the test group reported that they got enough relief from CBD and cannabinoid products so as to reduce or entirely cease the use of painkillers.
Close to 1/3rd of the patients experienced benefits with respect to better sleep, reduced signs of depression, lowered anxiety and pain symptoms. A large chunk of the test group comprised of obese and overweight people, and it was found to be more effective for those who were heavy set.
Dosing Can Be Tricky
In the study, the Italian researchers used a strategy of using 2 pharmaceutical-grade flowers- balanced and THC-rich. The balanced flower had a higher concentration of CBD than THC.
Both of the resulting CBD oils were made using olive oil tinctures and a dropper was used for dosing. The participants were advised to take 2 doses on a daily basis, with the balanced dose in the morning and the THC-rich dose in the evening. THC can help to promote sleep and acts as a better painkiller than CBD. However, THC’s intoxicating effects are one of the negative sides to the cannabinoid that people aren’t willing to face.
There was no set dosing regimen- the medical research had not settled on a single dose, as in the case of CBD and cannabinoids, one ideal dose never exists. The researchers recommended that participants try 10-30 drops in the morning and evening. The titration was done slowly based on their comfort; some participants took even 120 drops a day.
Treating The Underlying Issue
Over 1/3rd of the participants had a significant improvement in their fibromyalgia and sleep symptoms. Half of the patients had moderate benefits in depression and anxiety when CBD and cannabinoids were added to their treatment plan.
There is a common theme set in place here-is full-spectrum CBD treating depression only or is it treating insomnia alone? When these problems are secondary to other conditions like fibromyalgia or chronic pain, then the cannabinoids can be effective in controlling the symptoms. But that would be undermining CBD- it does seem as though the underlying issues are being solved and not just the symptoms.
Many of the experts believe that fibromyalgia is an expression of the Clinical Endocannabinoid deficiency Syndrome. This theory proposes that certain diseases manifest when the endocannabinoid system is weakened and is unable to properly regulate the physiological systems that are under its control. If the endocannabinoid system deficits, then many of the bodily functions under it ranging from the immune system to the cardiovascular system end up defaulting, and certain diseases start to show up.
With the help of CBD and THC, among other cannabinoids that make up full-spectrum CBD products, you could address the root cause of the disease rather than control the symptoms.
The conclusion that half of the patients in the study were able to reduce their symptoms considerably and get better, goes to show that the potential of CBD is yet to be completely uncovered…