Using cannabis to treat fibromyalgia

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A new study supports cannabis as an alternative for fibromyalgia relief

Across the globe, between 2-8% of the population suffers from fibromyalgia, an illness that affects how the brain processes pain signals. In addition to the pain itself, it also causes stress, sleep disorders and anxiety and, in many cases, depression. Fortunately, even though lab-based treatments exist, cannabis has now been shown to help reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia and help sufferers return to a fuller life.

Scientists at the Rabin Medical Center and the Cannabis Clinical Research Institute at Soroka University, both in Israel, conducted a study of 367 patients from 2015 to 2017 and have irrefutably concluded that cannabis is “a safe and effective alternative treatment for fibromyalgia symptoms.” The study was conducted mostly on women – 82% – since they are more likely to suffer from fibromyalgia than are men.

At the beginning of the study, patients consumed a low dose of cannabis, gradually increasing the amount until they received a therapeutic effect. Of the group of participants, 239 completed the study and 81.1% of these indicated that they saw “at least moderate improvement in their condition” with no harmful side effects.

Of the study participants, slightly more than half had indicated that they suffered from depression due to the affliction. However, after cannabis treatment, 80.8% revealed that their depression symptoms had faded. Additionally, 92.9% indicated that they had sleep problems when the program began, but this dropped to 73.4% as treatment progressed. Ultimately, 13.2% said that their sleep problems had completely disappeared.

If the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) can approve a cannabis drug to treat epilepsy, and proof exists to indicate that it can cure or relieve other ailments, as well, it’s time to rewrite the book on how cannabis is viewed from a legal standpoint.