Fibromyalgia is a central nervous system disorder that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, memory problems, and mood swings. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it can be triggered by emotional or physical trauma. Recent studies, however, have pointed to deficiencies in the endocannabinoid system as a possible cause. This makes medical cannabis a potential direct supplement to alleviate root causes of symptoms in fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is not fatal in itself, but it often keeps people from living their life to the fullest potential. Many people with fibromyalgia are unable to work or participate in activities that they enjoy due to their condition.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Although symptoms vary from person to person, some symptoms of fibromyalgia are:
- Widespread pain and stiffness over the body
- Chronic fatigue and tiredness
- Headaches, often in the front of the head
- Sleeping problems
- Depression and anxiety
- Irritable bowel syndrome and bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Problems with memory, thinking, and concentration
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
Fibromyalgia Treatment
There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but there are certain treatments that can help ease the pain. Typically, fibromyalgia is treated with medications like prescription drugs and over-the-counter pain relievers. However, these drugs can cause internal bleeding if taken too frequently or in large doses.
One form of treatment that eliminates the risk of harmful side effects, and has been proven to be more effective than opiates in some cases, is medical cannabis.
What is Medical Cannabis?
Medical cannabis, or medical marijuana, uses the chemicals in a marijuana plant to treat diseases and conditions. The marijuana plant contains over one hundred different chemicals called cannabinoids, with each one having a different reaction on your body’s endocannabinoid system. The two most common cannabinoids in marijuana are:
- Tetrahydrocannabinol: Commonly known as THC, this cannabinoid is most famously known for its psychoactive properties, resulting in a high and euphoric sensation.
- Cannabidiol: Commonly known as CBD, this compound is non-psychoactive, meaning that you do not experience a high sensation upon consumption. CBD is recognized for its promising health benefits.
Medical Marijuana for Fibromyalgia Treatment
The effects of THC have been known to combat:
- Acute and chronic pain
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Low appetite
- Insomnia
- Glaucoma
- Muscle spasms
Similarly, CBD has become popular for treating various conditions such as:
- Seizures
- Inflammation
- Psychosis or mental disorders
- Migraines
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Acute and chronic pain
- Crohn’s disease
- Diabetes
- Multiple sclerosis
- Insomnia
- Skin health
- Arthritis
As patients who are affected by fibromyalgia have many of these symptoms, medical marijuana has been utilized to successfully treat the disorder on multiple occasions. As fibromyalgia is typically treated with prescribed medications, medical marijuana offers a treatment plan that eliminates the need for painkillers such as opiates, which are highly addictive and can be fatal if taken in too large a quantity. In some cases, medical marijuana has even proven to be more effective at treating pain than opiates.
Interested in Medical Marijuana for Fibromyalgia?
If you suffer from fibromyalgia and are currently living in Florida, the Medical Marijuana Treatment Clinics of Florida (MMTCFL) can find out if you are eligible to use medical marijuana in your treatment plan. With MMTCFL, you can see if you qualify for a medical marijuana registration card. To take the first step, take our online eligibility survey.
Share the Article
