The medical condition known as fibromyalgia can cause symptoms ranging from widespread musculoskeletal pain and increases in a pain response to pressure. Secondary symptoms include a feeling of exhaustion, problems sleeping and difficulty with memory and cognition. Other less common symptoms include restless leg, sensitivity to light and bowel and bladder issues. Some research would suggest Fibromyalgia can be connected to other conditions like PTSD and Anxiety. While the root cause of Fibromyalgia is not well understood it is thought to be brought on by both genetic and environmental factors. The problem lies in the Central nervous system. The condition is recognized by the NIH. There is not a diagnostic test and the diagnosis is arrived at by elimination of other chronic conditions. This condition disproportionately affects at roughly twice the rate of men.
How can Medical Marijuana Help Patients with Fibromyalgia?
While the benefits of medical cannabis in reducing chronic pain have been researched, studies directly looking at the effectiveness of medical cannabis at reducing symptoms specific to Fibromyalgia have been limited. That was until 2018 when an Israeli based study was published. The study involved patients who were licensed to use Medical cannabis that were also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. The results were hugely positive. What’s even more impressive is that most patients were experiencing significantly less symptoms with as little as one gram a day. So why does it help? Research suggests that the condition of Fibromyalgia results from a deficiency in the endocannabinoid system. The compounds in medical cannabis act on the endocannabinoid system to modulate it and decrease the pain response in both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. That along with medical cannabises known ability to improve sleep result in a big win for Fibromyalgia patients looking for an alternative treatment.