What Can CBD Oil Do for people with Fibromyalgia?

The demand for CBD products has been on the rise lately due to their various health possibilities. Studies have shown that CBD might just be used to ease the symptoms of Fibromyalgia, a condition that causes pain all over the body. This article looks at the possibility of CBD being used to treat Fibromyalgia and the legality of CBD products.

It is hard for an individual not to have heard about CBD products; it has been all over the television, radio, and social media, with many people confessing to its claimed health properties. With CBD being claimed to help those suffering from acne and arthritis, and some cancer symptoms, much more is still being researched about CBD. Many might ask themselves, could CBD's anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties help those with Fibromyalgia? Let’s take a dive and take a look at how CBD might help you.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain all over the body; it might sometimes be referred to as widespread pain and can cause emotional distress, sleeping problems, and fatigue. Although there is no specific cause of this condition, it is thought to be caused by a physical or emotionally stressful event. However, it can also be caused by an injury or a viral infection, although age is thought to play a big role.

The symptoms of Fibromyalgia might vary from person to person, although they might include fatigue, sleeping problems, problems focusing/thinking, and headaches. There are several ways this condition can be treated, including several medications and self-management strategies; however, there have been many claims that CBD might help those suffering from this condition. Learn more about does cbd oil make you sleepy?

What is CBD?

CBD is one of the hundreds of compounds in the cannabis plant, including THC, flavonoids, and terpenes. Failing et al. (2021) explained that, although there are many compounds in the cannabis plant, what makes CBD unique is its claimed medical properties and how it might just be able to help with some health conditions. Unlike THC, CBD has no toxic properties and doesn't cause addiction. One can find CBD products all over the market; they are mostly extracted from industrial hemp and are made to have a low level of THC, lower than 0.03%. CBD is then made into many products such as CBD oil, edibles, and topicals. These products are thought to help those with chronic pain, inflammation, epilepsy, depression, and anxiety. CBD's pain-relieving properties have led many people to opt for it, helping those with Fibromyalgia.

How CBD Works for Fibromyalgia

The body is full of complex processes working together, and one such is the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid is an extensive connection of receptors normally responsible for mood and perceiving pain in the brain. Uberall (2020) stated that this system is responsible for the communication of pain and might result in the release of different hormones to numb the pain. CBD is thought to interact with receptors in the brain to cause the different effects felt in the body.

CBD reacts with two main receptors, CB1 and CB2, to have a calming effect on an individual body. Although there is still a lot of research, it is thought that the CBDs' property to intercept neurotransmissions of pain causes the reduction of pain when CBD is consumed. It has made researchers believe that CBD might help those with Fibromyalgia. Kuhathasan et al. (2019)  explained that CBD helps in reducing chronic pain and, in turn, better sleep in patients who have Insomnia caused by pain. The good news is that much research is still being done to know how CBD might effectively fight Fibromyalgia. However, even so, more people seem to opt for CBD as a natural way of dealing with their pain.

In addition, many of those using CBD products have confessed to helping them with their Fibromyalgia. Although this anecdotal research can sometimes not be counted because they are not scientific, considering that many of these patients might have tried pharmaceutical drugs is certainly something to note.

Is CBD Oil Legal?

CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant, and because there are some controversies concerning its legality, CBD users might be concerned. The marijuana plant has a high percentage of THC, a compound responsible for the 'high' effect most people feel when they smoke or vape it. However, CBD doesn't have any psychoactive effects and is considered legal, and because of this, most CBD products in the market today are required to have a regulated amount of THC. The legally accepted amount of CBD is 0.03%, as this s considered untraceable; this means that even athletes can use CBD products without worrying about testing positive in the next drug test.

Safety Concerns; What You Need To Know About CBD

CBD products are considered safe for ingestion and have been generally known for their health benefits. However, some users claim to have side effects from using CBD products. Although these side effects might vary from person to person, they might include fatigue, diarrhea, and a change in appetite. Meissner & Cascella (2021) explained that there is still little known about CBD products and their side effects, but most of these are tolerable and might depend on the concentration taken and the user's body mass. Therefore, one must consider talking to your doctor or health advisor before trying CBD products because it has been found to react with some pharmaceutical drugs. The FDA has not approved any dosage for CBD products; therefore, if you are new to CBD, you might want to start with a lower dosage as they advance on to more until you find the right one.

Conclusion

There is still a lot that is not known about CBD products; however, the existing research has shown promising evidence that might prove CBD can help with Fibromyalgia. The FDA has not yet accepted CBD as a remedy for Fibromyalgia. Therefore, it's important to note that it should not be used as a supplement drug. However, as more and more people are opting to use CBD products for their pain and inflammation, you must take safety precautions if you decide to join this large group of CBD enthusiasts. It might be best to seek advice from your trusted health advisor before trying out any CBD products. Learn more about does cbd oil help with sunburn?

References

Failing, C. J., Boehnke, K. F., & Riebschleger, M. (2021). Cannabidiol (CBD) Use among children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Pediatric Rheumatology, 19(1), 1-8.

Kuhathasan, N., Dufort, A., MacKillop, J., Gottschalk, R., Minuzzi, L., & Frey, B. N. (2019). The use of cannabinoids for sleep: A critical review on clinical trials. Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology, 27(4), 383.         

Meissner, H., & Cascella, M. (2021). Cannabidiol (CBD). In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.

Überall, M. A. (2020). A review of scientific evidence for THC: CBD oromucosal spray (nabiximols) in chronic pain management. Journal of pain research, 13, 399.