The beneficial effects of cannabidiol on symptoms and pain associated with certain chronic diseases are no longer in doubt. This is certainly true for fibromyalgia, a condition that affects many people, but which is still poorly understood and often misdiagnosed. What is fibromyalgia? What are the effects of CBD on this condition? How should CBD be used for fibromyalgia and what dosage is required? Find all the answers in this article.
What is fibromyalgia?
Also known as " fibromyalgia syndrome ," fibromyalgia is a condition that combines permanent muscle or joint pain, sleep disorders, chronic fatigue, anxiety disorders, and depressive symptoms.
People who suffer from it often complain of constant pain throughout their body for months on end. Stimuli that are usually painless can cause pain, and pain that would normally be tolerable can unfortunately feel intense. In most cases, fibromyalgia affects women between the ages of 30 and 50. The condition also appears more frequently around the time of menopause.
To date, the main cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. However, we do know that many factors can trigger it: microtrauma to the muscles or certain emotional events, infection, and genetic susceptibility.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia
At certain trigger points for fibromyalgia, simple pressure can cause intense pain. These points can affect the chest, back of the head, elbows, knees, shoulders, and hips.
Other known symptoms of fibromyalgia include chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, headaches, and sleep problems. These symptoms perpetuate the pain associated with fibromyalgia and can create a vicious cycle.
The Effects of CBD on Fibromyalgia
CBD, or cannabidiol, is an active ingredient found in cannabis plants. It does not produce psychoactive effects like THC or other molecules found in hemp. This cannabinoid has relaxing properties and offers numerous therapeutic benefits for chronic pain and other symptoms.
CBD does not alter the state of consciousness of its users in any way and does not produce an addictive effect. This is why, in UK example, CBD-concentrated products CBD concentrates are legally sold in CBD shops. Now, let's take a look at the potential effects of CBD on fibromyalgia.
Increases sleep time
As mentioned above, sleep disorders are one of the main symptoms of fibromyalgia. This is mainly due to stress and anxiety. However, it is possible to alleviate this suffering and enjoy more peaceful and restful sleep.
Every human being's body is equipped with an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that secretes molecules similar to cannabidiol or CBD. Thanks to two receptors located in the brain (CB1 and CB2), this system ensures that the body's psychological constants remain normal: cardiovascular tone, temperature, blood composition, etc.
These different sensors take various measurements in the body and adapt their behavior to their environment. In its interaction with the endocannabinoid system, CBD activates the various sensors associated with the nervous system and stimulates the production of molecules that promote the regulation of chronobiological rhythms and help muscle relaxation.
Finally, in patients suffering from fibromyalgia, CBD causes a feeling of relaxation and drowsiness. CBD causes a feeling of relaxation and drowsiness to facilitate falling asleep and prolonged sleep.
Improves memory and concentration
People suffering from fibromyalgia most often report an inability to retain new information and very frequent forgetfulness. When symptoms are not properly treated, it is clear that the patient will fall into depression, which can easily worsen their health.
In patients, low levels of serotonin and norepinephrine have been found to contribute to difficulty concentrating, mental confusion, and memory loss. In these cases, taking high-quality CBD effectively relieves the patient by triggering the production of norepinephrine.
Also known as noradrenaline, norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter similar to adrenaline that causes certain blood vessels to constrict, others to relax, and the heart rate to increase in order to deliver more blood to the brain. Once the brain is well supplied with blood, memory and concentration are boosted, promoting excitement and alertness.
Therefore, anyone suffering from fibromyalgia whose memory loss and concentration problems affect their social and professional life can turn to CBD.
Relieves feelings of fatigue and weakness
CBD appears to be a powerful ally against the feelings of weakness and lack of energy experienced by patients suffering from fibromyalgia. While physical fatigue is the result of a muscle's temporary inability to maintain optimal performance, mental fatigue is the effect of a temporary decrease in cognitive performance.
However, these types of fatigue are the result of prolonged use of the brain and muscles, and can be remedied with rest. For people with fibromyalgia, unfortunately, rest is not the solution. Instead, they need a substance, a molecule that can invigorate the brain and restore tone to all the muscles in the body.
Cannabidiol cannabidiol stimulates the patient's brain to help it produce adrenaline. When this is released, the brain of the affected individual comes out of its torpor and the body's muscles regain their vigor on a daily basis.
Relieves muscle and joint pain
Fibromyalgia is essentially neither a joint disease nor an inflammatory or degenerative condition. It therefore does not cause permanent damage to muscles, bones, or joints. Nevertheless, most patients with this condition complain particularly of joint and muscle pain that affects their daily lives.
Although the effects of cannabidiol on fibromyalgia have not yet been medically confirmed, several people suffering from these pains have reported experiencing relief after using CBD.
Indeed, as mentioned above, CBD interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system, whose main role is to control the functioning of the central nervous system and peripheral organs.
By activating these receptors, it helps them modulate the body's response to inflammation and pain. This promotes relief from inflammation and pain. It is also possible that cannabidiol-based products available in CBD stores in the UK CBD shops in UK may provide relief from rheumatism, arthritis, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc.
Inhibits irritability and mood swings
Patients suffering from fibromyalgia are sometimes very irritable, with frequent mood swings and symptoms that can affect their ability to cope with change and their enjoyment of life.
To control themselves, many people use medications whose side effects have a greater impact on their health. It is therefore necessary to find a natural alternative that can relieve mood swings and symptoms of irritability.
The results obtained with CBD prove that cannabidiol stimulates the nervous system via the endocannabinoid system and its receptors. These stimulate the brain to release dopamine, which inhibits abnormal brain activity, irritability, anxiety, and other similar symptoms.
Relieves headaches and migraines
CBD may have a positive effect on migraines and headaches caused by fibromyalgia. In the journal " Experimental Neurologist ," an article informs us that the endocannabinoid system plays a key role in processing pain signals.
The article also argues that the endocannabinoid system could be considered a potential therapeutic tool in reducing the physiological and inflammatory components of migraine-related pain. Endocannabinoids are similar to cannabidiol. Thus, taking CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system and triggers pain inhibition in the brain (headaches and migraines).
Relieves gastrointestinal disorders
Some patients with fibromyalgia may experience symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (bloating, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, etc.).
Fortunately, CBD can relieve these symptoms. The small intestine and large intestine actually have a significant number of cannabinoid receptors, whose activity prevents the secretion of gastrointestinal juices. The presence of cannabidiol in the nervous system can therefore inhibit gastrointestinal mechanisms, reduce cramps, reduce gastroesophageal reflux, control intestinal functions, etc.
Although these results have not yet been scientifically validated, people suffering from fibromyalgia have given positive reviews after using high-quality CBD.
Relieves depression
As part of the treatment for fibromyalgia, doctors are trying antidepressants, but their effectiveness is not necessarily encouraging. Administering CBD to patients can trigger the production of serotonin (the happiness hormone) and dopamine.
These neurotransmitters influence the functioning of the central nervous system and interact with the appropriate receptors. This allows them to rapidly increase resistance to stress and depression. Taking premium CBD can therefore help you to better protect yourself against depression.
Reduces hypersensitivity to smells, fruits, and light
Sensory hypersensitivity is one of the common symptoms of fibromyalgia. To treat it, experts have tried therapies based on chemicals to which patients have also been found to be hypersensitive.
Unlike these therapies, the use of CBD as a natural and organic remedy for hypersensitivity has no side effects. Although it is extracted from hemp, CBD has proven to be very effective, as it facilitates a drastic reduction in hypersensitivity. Thanks to CBD, it is therefore unlikely that a person suffering from fibromyalgia will react inappropriately to ordinary stimuli (noise, bright light, perfumes, etc.).
How to use CBD for fibromyalgia?
Now that you know the benefits of high-quality high-quality CBD can bring to fibromyalgia patients, it's time to learn which product to choose and how to use it to achieve satisfaction. There are actually different ways to use CBD to relieve the tension and pain associated with fibromyalgia.
- CBD oil : CBD oils can be taken orally, applied topically, or dissolved under the tongue and absorbed into the oral tissues. These cannabidiol products act more quickly and can be taken throughout the day.
- CBD cosmetics : CBD can be added to cosmetics for topical application, directly on the skin. These CBD products may also be a better alternative for reducing inflammation and relieving external pain caused by fibromyalgia.
- CBD capsules : these products contain CBD oil and are easier to consume than CBD oil for people who dislike its taste.
- CBD herbal tea : to enjoy the benefits of CBD for fibromyalgia, you can also opt for CBD herbal teas or teas. Cannabidiol infusions can be consumed at any time of day.
Among all these products, CBD oils have the advantage of being able to be used in a variety of ways (orally, sublingually, or even applied to the skin).
CBD dosage required for fibromyalgia
Although the benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) are real, in UK it is not considered a medicine. Therefore, there is no official recommended daily dose. It should be noted, however, that the health effects of CBD depend on:
- The concentration of the CBD product;
- The physiology of the individual who wants to consume it;
- Its weight;
- And his therapeutic needs.
It is therefore not easy to recommend a specific dosage. For this reason, it is recommended that novice users start with low doses. Depending on the desired effects and after a few days of use, it is possible to increase the CBD dose by re-evaluating the results of the "treatment."
