CBD for Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. Along with the pain people suffering with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) can also experience increased sensitivity to pain, extreme tiredness (fatigue) muscle stiffness difficulty sleeping problems with mental processes (known as "fibro-fog"), such as problems with memory and concentration headaches irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a digestive condition that causes stomach pain and bloating.
Present treatments
Unfortunately, there is no definitive cure for Fibromyalgia. Medicines such as anti-depressants and painkillers are often prescribed which may have multiple side effects for the gastrointestinal tissues. Long term lifestyle changes may be helpful they do not provide any immediate relief
Causes For the condition
The exact cause for this condition is still unknown but there are a few chemical and hormonal imbalances which lead to changes in the central nervous system, and it can be also caused by fibromyalgia genes that are inherited the condition appears to be triggered by a physically or emotionally stressful event, such as an injury or infection giving birth, Having an operation etc.
CBD in treatment of Fibromyalgia
Although there is no FDA approval for CBD as a drug recent research shows a lot of promise for CBD being the alternate medicinal treatment in the place of opioids. A 2019 Dutch study showed CBD and THC dosage cured spontaneous pain in 18 out of 20 patients While the THC high drug (Bediol) showed a significant improvement in quick span.
A randomized CBD drug review of 28 cannabinoid drugs conducted in 2015 by Dr. Kevin P Hill from Harvard Medical School suggested that CBD has great effects in treating chronic pain issues and thinks more research should be done on some particular conditions like Fibromyalgia and Arthritis.
How to take cannabinoids
Smoking or vaping CBD
If you want to relieve immediate pain, smoking CBD-rich cannabis is the quickest way to reduce symptoms. Effects can last up to 3 hours. Smoking or vaping allows you to directly inhale CBD from the cannabis plant, absorbing the chemical into your bloodstream and lungs.
CBD Edibles
Edibles are CBD infused foods such as CBD drinks and CBD chewing gums and many other new products which are provided by many brands provided in the recreational market, but these tend to have irregular dosage and they are only mildly effective. The effect may be immediate, but it may not last long.
CBD Oil extracts
Oils can be applied topically, taken orally, or dissolved under the tongue and absorbed in mouth tissues and they have a proven pharmacokinetic effect after 1-2 hours of application, but the effect only lasts as long it is in absorbing phase. These dosage form may sometimes lead to excessive usage and may be addictive at times.
Topical CBD products
CBD oils can be infused into topical creams, balms and patches applied directly to the skin. These CBD products can be an effective option for reducing inflammation and helping with external pain while giving the body a continuous drug flux and more regulated dosage when compared to other dosage forms.
CBD grades and Vitamin mixtures for pain relief
There are many CBD grades available in the market such as isolate, full, Broad spectrum, and full spectrum along with the mixture of terpenes. These grades are generally obtained after different stages of distillation with isolate being the purest form containing 99% CBD. Experts believe that broad and full spectrum may have natural pinenes and trace amount of THC (<0.3%) which has more health benefits and entourage effect when compared to THC.
While most CBD oils and topical forms come along with broad spectrum and terpenes like limonene, Myrcene, Alpha-pinene, Myrcene, Camphene, Linalool and Caryophyllene. Most of the topical forms may contain more than one pinenes based on their activity. Linalool, Alpha Pinene and Myrcene combination yields better results for reducing pain and boosting energy levels due to the analgesic effects of Myrcene and Linalool while Alpha pinene acts as energy enhancer.
CBD can be also used and combined along with other vitamins like Vitamin K, B12 and D which can enhance bone and muscle functions.
Dosage per day
There is no fixed dosage according to any regulator but the threshold for CBD can be anywhere in between in 20 -1000 mg per day, but the optimum dosage will be anywhere in between 30 -300 mg per day, and it is better to start the dosage from minimum and increase it gradually to find the best suited dose and avoid addiction. Long term dosage can yield better results
CBD Side effects
Majority of the people will not have any side effect. There are some mild side-effects such as dizziness, Nausea, and dry mouth in some cases. If you are using CBD along with any other prescription medicines it is better to take doctors’ advice.