CBD Oil for Fibromyalgia
If you have fibromyalgia, you’ve likely tried all kinds of treatment to no avail. This is where CBD oil may come into play – it’s been gaining attention as a potential treatment for fibromyalgia pain, and for a good reason.
Research has shown that it can play an integral role in controlling chronic pain symptoms, which may help to increase your quality of life.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is one of the many cannabinoids that make up the cannabis plant. But unlike the known tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which gives marijuana its characteristic psychoactive sensation, CBD oil cannot get you “high.”
The nourishing oil extract can be applied topically or be taken orally, as CBD oil can be dissolved under the tongue.
Most CBD oil is made from the least processed plant known as hemp. Hemp and marijuana both come from cannabis sativa but are entirely different. Unlike marijuana farmers, hemp farmers have not modified the plant – not even the smell, let alone the effect it causes when it binds to specific receptors in the body.
CBD oil has entered the world as a miraculous pain reliever and is considered to be a safe alternative to addictive opioids. Although the FDA has not approved CBD oil for the treatment of fibromyalgia, studies have found that it an effective treatment option for neuropathic pain.
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that is characterized by musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and mood issues. Fibromyalgia can even cause headaches, diminished concentration and can lead to depressive symptoms.
The cause of fibromyalgia remains unknown, but in many cases, it is believed to be triggered by:
- Injury.
- Virus.
- Surgery.
- Emotionally stressful events.
Fibromyalgia is a relatively common condition, affecting women more often than men. It is difficult to diagnose as its symptoms are commonly experienced in a variety of other conditions; therefore it is often a diagnosis of exclusion.
Many turn to the use of pharmaceutical drugs for relief, yet these medicines often don’t work, stop working over longer periods of time, or come with nasty side effects.
Benefits of CBD Oil for Fibromyalgia
CBD oil makes fibromyalgia pain bearable. Also, it can help with fatigue as it boosts energy levels, which is often a symptom of fibromyalgia.
Simply by applying it as a cream, gel, tincture or oil, on the affected area, the following outcomes are achieved:
- Natural pain relief (no medication side effects).
- Pain becomes bearable, and stiffness is reduced.
- The frequency of painful episodes is reduced.
- Pain becomes less noticeable as a state of relaxation is achieved.
How Does CBD Oil Work?
CBD oil interacts with naturally occurring systems by activating the endocannabinoid system within the body, which is made of specialized receptors in the nervous system.
Receptors are nothing more than tiny proteins that receive different kinds of information, in the form of chemical signals. They then transport this information to the cells, triggering them to respond appropriately.
When these receptors are stimulated, they begin to coordinate action for disturbances in the body. By interacting with these receptors in the brain and immune system, a pain-killing effect is achieved.
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CBD oil is also believed to activate serotonin receptors, which affect pain perception. Further, CBD oil is also able to reduce inflammation within the body.
Interestingly, your body produces certain cannabinoids, and has two receptors:
- CB1 which are located all over the body, but mostly in the brain.
- CB2 which are found in the immune system and deal with inflammation and pain.
Previously, it was thought that CBD oil stimulates these two receptors, but research has shown that it does not deal with them directly at all. Instead, scientists have concluded that CBD oil stimulates the body to produce more of its very own cannabinoids.
How Long Does it Take for Pain Relief?
The amount of time that it takes to experience pain relief varies among individuals. In some cases, it may take as little as 20 minutes, and in other, more chronic cases, longer-term applications may be required to experience pain relief.
Side Effects of CBD Oil
Studies have concluded that CBD does not pose a significant risk to your health. Possible adverse effects of CBD oil include:
- Lower blood pressure.
- Nausea.
- Sleeping disorders.
- Irritability.
- Possible allergic reaction.
Care should be taken when using CBD oil with children as the use of CBD oil in children may slow down their brain development. This is due to the fact that their bodies do not need a push in becoming more relaxed to release any stress related spasms that are found in adults suffering from fibromyalgia symptoms.
Another benefit of CBD oil is that there are no withdrawal symptoms; the only possibility is the return of the discomfort that was present before treatment.
When purchasing CBD oil, you should choose carefully as an FDA report showed that some hemp oils contained very little CBD and therefore not surprisingly, some patients reported it to be ineffective; therefore quality is crucial.
CBD Oil Dosage for Fibromyalgia
When taking CBD oil in oral form for chronic pain, a suggested dosage between 2.5 and 20 mg, for no more than 25 days is recommended.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
Although CBD oil is not mind-altering like marijuana that contains both CBD and the psychoactive THC, it is still not legal in some countries. Therefore, before attempting to purchase CBD oil, you should check with your local regulations.
The Takeaway
There is no conclusive data to confirm CBD oil’s effects as a pain management technique, but numerous cases have shown that it could offer relief to chronic pain sufferers, all without intoxication and addiction caused by pharmaceutical painkillers that are traditionally used.
Although fibromyalgia cannot be cured, CBD oil can help in making its symptoms bearable with its remarkable powers to bring relief.
In addition to using CBD oil for symptom relief, if you have fibromyalgia, you should also engage in regular exercise that includes plenty of stretching, as well as alternative therapies such as acupuncture, physical therapy, and massage.
Together, these therapies, when combined with CBD oil, can offer you optimal relief of symptoms.
