Research shows that cannabis is a powerful enemy of the pain disorder
In the U.S. alone, fibromyalgia affects as many as 12 million people, most of whom are women. It is the most common pain disorder and also results in what is known as “fibro fog,” a symptom that refers to psychological distress due to the pain. While there are medicines on the market to offer relief, fibromyalgia is not known to have a cure. However, research is showing that cannabis is a better, all-natural alternative to treating the disorder than any of the lab-based chemical options.
Studies into fibromyalgia have revealed that it could be caused by an underlying issue with the patient’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Cannabis has been proven to interact positively with the ECS, affecting receptors that allow the system to function properly. In 2016, researchers pointed out, “If endocannabinoid function were decreased, it follows that a lowered pain threshold would be operative, along with derangements of digestion, mood, and sleep among the almost universal physiological systems subserved by the endocannabinoid system.”
Another study, conducted in 2018, surveyed 26 fibromyalgia patients who participated in a medical cannabis study for 11 months. 50% of the patients had stopped taking prescription medicine in favor of the cannabis, leading to the study’s leaders to assert, “Medical cannabis treatment had a significant favorable effect on patients with fibromyalgia, with few adverse effects.”
Yet another study, which was also conducted in 2018, involved 383 patients. 84% of these used cannabis to treat the disorder and 94% acknowledged that they experienced decreases in pain relief, as well as anxiety and depression. The researchers concluded, “Only 12 percent of all cannabis users in our study reported adverse effects, compared to 94 percent reporting adverse effects from other pain meds prior to cannabis use. Most cannabis-related adverse effects were mild and transient such as eye or throat irritation. … Nearly 85 percent of the patients either completely stopped taking any other pain medications or reduced the dosage of other meds. This reflects the advantage of cannabis over other meds in alleviating pain in addition to its favorable effects on sleep and mood.”
If you or someone you know suffers from fibromyalgia, perhaps it’s time to seek an alternative treatment to what big pharma offers.