Cannabidiol Oil For Fibromyalgia: Is It Effective, Safe, Or Legal?

What Is CBD Oil?

CBD stands for “cannabidiol,” which is obtained from the cannabis plant. Marijuana is also derived from this plant. However, CBD oil doesn’t have any psychoactive properties.

Cannabis that’s grown for hemp is generally rich in CBD and that’s where CBD is derived from.

People are using CBD oil for a lot of different medical purposes, including Chronic pain and inflammation,Social anxiety disorder, Insomnia, Bipolar disorder etc.

How Does CBD for Fibromyalgia Work?

A woman with sound sleep, Credits: pexels

Over the years a few studies have looked at the effectiveness of CBD in treating fibromyalgia.

CBD interrupts the nerve pathways that send signals of pain between the brain and the body.

CBD also has an anti-inflammatory action that decreases heat and swelling around injury or disease and eventually pain.

Insufficient endocannabinoids — neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors, might be the root cause of of chronic pain syndromes like migraines and fibromyalgia, a study concluded in 2016. This could be corrected by consumingCBD , proving it’s efficacy as a pain relieving substance.

What Does the Research Say?

Use of CBD oil, Credits: pexels

Dr. George Habib in 2018 investigated medical cannabis as a treatment for fibromyalgia, and he believed it is of help to fibromyalgia patients. He said,”In general, the impression (from the study) was that this type of medication is more effective than pregabalin and duloxetine.”

Dr. Ginevra Liptan, author of “The FibroManual: A Complete Fibromyalgia Treatment Guide For You…And Your Doctor,” concluded that many of her patients were relieved from symptoms such as muscle tension, pain, anxiety, and insomnia when CBD oil was combined with their mainstream medications.

A study conducted by Sagy et al in 2019, studies the efficacy of medical cannabis in fibromyalgia ad concluded that it is safe ad effective alternative treatment for the treatment of fibromyalgia symptoms.

A study conducted by Adrian Devitt- Lee in 2020 in Italy concluded that half of patients (47%) got relief from cannabis to reduce or cease their painkiller consumption.“Adjunctive Medical Cannabis Treatment] may therefore be considered, especially in the fibromyalgia sub-population suffering from significant sleep disturbances and mild anxio-depressive symptoms.

Any Side Effects of CBD ?

women experiencing fatigue, Credits: pexels

The research into whether CBD oil is a safe and effective treatment for fibromyalgia is still being carried out.

Cannabidiol is thought to be safe and to have minimal side effects. However, some people have experienced the following side effects after using CBD:

Fatigue
Appetite changes
Dizziness
Nausea
Dry mouth

CBD might affect the drug metabolism. Hence, If you’re currently on other supplements or medications, then beware about the drug interactions that are possible with CBD.

What are the Various Ways in Which You Can Take CBD ?

CBD topical application, Credits: pexels

Smoking or vaping. Smoking CBD-rich cannabis is the fastest way to alleviate symptoms and can be inhaled directlyfrom the cannabis plant. It’seffects last up to 3 hours and is directly absorbed into your bloodstream and lungs.
Edibles. Food like chocolate, coffee etc. can be cooked with the cannabis plant, or cannabis-infused oil or butter. The effect can last up to 6 hours, but takes longer for pain or inflammation to subside.
Oil extracts. Oils can be taken orally, can be applied topically, or dissolved under the tongue and absorbed in mouth tissues.
Topicals. CBD oils can be mixed with topical creams or balms and applied directly to the skin on the target area.

Is CBD Legal?

Cannabis plant, Credits: pexels

Cannabis plants can be divided into two main categories, marijuana and hemp. Marijuana has more than 0.3% THC and Hemp has less than 0.3% THC. For CBD oil to be legal in most nations around the globe, it must be extracted from hemp.

The he 2018 Farm Billre-classified hemp as a legal agricultural product, which makes CBD products legal at the federal level.

The FDA has not yet approved any non-prescription products.Each country has its own laws that are ever changing regarding cannabis.

As more states allow CBD and medical marijuana, the consumer should be abreast with the new information and rules.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

CBD oil has helpful in alleviating the symptoms of pain and inflammation associated with fibromyalgia. However, further research in this area should be conducted.