A study published in Pain Practice delves into the potential of cannabis as a means of pain relief and improved sleep quality for individuals with fibromyalgia. Additionally, it explores the plant’s therapeutic effects on both psychological and physical levels.

The study’s findings indicate that cannabis provides short-term benefits for women with treatment-resistant fibromyalgia.

While women are disproportionately affected by fibromyalgia compared to men, the research suggests that men may also experience positive effects from cannabis-based treatments.

“With the increasing global use of cannabis, researchers are examining its role in treating fibromyalgia, which is one of the most prevalent pain syndromes today. Throughout history, various cultures have utilized cannabis for pain relief. Modern medicine has identified the endocannabinoid system’s involvement in the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain,” the investigators pointed out. “Previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of cannabis in promoting sleep, as well as enhancing its depth and duration. Other benefits of cannabis treatment include significant pain relief without notable side effects.”

In England and Wales, an estimated 1.76 million while in Ireland there are almost 2000,000 adults living with fibromyalgia, impacting 1 in 20 people globally. Another study titled “Severe forms of fibromyalgia with acute exacerbation of pain: costs, comorbidities, and length of stay in inpatient care” revealed that the average cost of hospital care for patients with fibromyalgia experiencing acute pain episodes in Germany was 3,725.84 euros, underscoring the burden this condition places on healthcare systems.

Understanding fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a complex, chronic condition characterized by debilitating symptoms like “musculoskeletal pain, muscle stiffness, cognitive fog, sleep disturbances, and depression.”

Researchers believe that fibromyalgia may heighten painful sensations by influencing how the brain and spinal cord process both painful and non-painful signals.

Presently, there is no known cure for this condition, which is notoriously challenging to treat. Doctors often prescribe medications like opioids (which can be addictive and, in many cases, fatal) and antidepressants to address symptoms rather than targeting the underlying issue.

Fortunately, with the emergence of medical cannabis in many countries around the world, more patients are discovering its effectiveness in managing symptoms while it cannot be legally purchased within the UK and Ireland.

Early research by renowned cannabis scientist Dr. Ethan Russo suggested that fibromyalgia could be linked to a deficiency in the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Study overview.

The study utilized the World Health Organization Quality of Life Bref questionnaire (WhoQoL-bref) to assess patient-reported quality of life in 30 females aged 18-70 with treatment-resistant fibromyalgia.

Each participant had previously exhausted pharmacological fibromyalgia treatments.

The questionnaire focused on four domains: psychological, physical health, social relationships, and environment. It was completed both before the administration of cannabis and at the one-month follow-up.

Patients were given the choice of their preferred administration method, be it ingestion, smoking, or vaporizing.

Those under 18 or over 70, pregnant individuals, those with cognitive impairments, or those already using cannabis treatment were excluded from the study.

The average age of the participants was 46. They experienced pain and discomfort, reliance on medication, poor quality of life, restricted daily activities, and general health issues before intervention.

Environmental factors, such as access to healthcare and social support, financial resources, transportation, and physical surroundings, scored high. This suggests that fibromyalgia-related morbidity is more influential than environmental constraints.

Cannabis’s positive impact on psychological and physical health in fibromyalgia patients.

The follow-up revealed that treatment was associated with improvements in overall quality of life, daily activities, psychological well-being, general health, pain reduction, and fatigue.

Sub-domain fields within the psychological domain, including self-esteem, recreation and leisure, memory and concentration, positive feelings, and sexual well-being, also demonstrated improvement. The home environment and financial resources remained unaffected by cannabis treatment.

In summary, the results suggest a potentially significant role for cannabis in treating women with treatment-resistant fibromyalgia.

Early cannabis intervention may lead to a positive short-term effect on the quality of life, impacting pain, sleep, and physical, and psychological domains.

Further research is warranted to comprehensively understand this potential and its long-term benefits.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any cannabis product.