For those who suffer from fibromyalgia - a painful, incurable condition that robs the affected of their quality of life - studies show that cannabis offers potential symptom-management solutions. With legalization taking place in more and more states, the murkiness of prohibition has been dissipating. 

As some states have moved to legalize medical and even recreational cannabis, this has opened the doors for better studies into the matter. The good news is that signals have continued to point towards cannabis as a tool for symptom management that could help patients in their fight to reclaim a good quality of life. Let’s take a closer look. 

What Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia Like?

The symptoms of fibromyalgia can offer a bleak outlook to those who are affected by them. This incurable condition is developed, rather than caught. It is characterized by widespread pain throughout the musculoskeletal system, chronic fatigue, as well as cognitive disruption which is commonly referred to as ‘fibro fog’. If only the effects stopped there. 

Fibromyalgia is also often associated with comorbidities - other conditions that work in tandem to disrupt the life of the patient. Sleeping problems, health-related anxiety and depression, IBS, tension headaches and more are all common accompaniments to this chronic condition.

This presents complexities for both researchers and people suffering from the ailment/s, and they aren’t the only ones having a hard time understanding it - employers and society are often less than understanding.

The condition is believed to be caused by changes to the brain and spinal cords of those affected. These changes can be brought about by different triggers such as prolonged psychological stress or nerve stimulation. 

This causes chemical changes in the brain and a subsequent uptick in pain signalling. In other words, the brain is sending pain signals all over the body - an agonizing feature of this condition.

It’s hard to imagine how difficult this must make it to participate in society - between pain, fog, lack of sleep and any other residing conditions fibromyalgia has the potential to smother one’s will for life. But there is hope.

With no cure in sight, the battle for a better quality of life takes place on the frontlines of symptom management. It happens that cannabis has shown promise as an effective tool for managing some of the dominant symptoms of fibromyalgia, which brings us to the next big question:

How Can Cannabis Help to Treat Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

Firstly, it is always better to use cannabis in tandem with other treatments, so do not forgo any advice given by your doctor. In fact, it is best to talk with your doctor before starting any treatment, so having a conversation about using cannabis is always advisable.

Before delving into the specific symptoms of the condition it will be helpful to understand some of the different ways that different kinds of cannabis interact with the body. We’re going to run through some of the basics of cannabinoids, terpenes and different strains. So, here is cannabis 101 for those living with fibromyalgia:

THC vs CBD (and Terpenes) Explained

The first and biggest thing to understand is that there are about 80- 10 cannabinoids in the plant. The two main variations of these are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is commonly known as the part of the plant that gets users ‘stoned’ or the psychoactive element, which is true.

It isn’t as commonly associated with its therapeutic properties as CBD, which has been garnering more and more attention for its medicinal properties. That said, THC can be therapeutic for depression, anxiety, pain and appetite stimulation.

CBD, unlike THC, does not get the user stoned, however, it can make them groggy. CBD is often used to treat pain, anxiety, depression, sleeping disorders and more. Hm, where have we seen some of those symptoms before?

While it has become a fairly common practice to extract these into isolates (more on different forms of cannabis below), it can be beneficial to take what is known as ‘full spectrum’ CBD. 

Full-spectrum CBD has a minuscule amount of THC present that won’t get the user ‘stoned’ but does help the cannabidiol to work more effectively in the body. These cannabinoids aren’t the only therapeutic properties of the plant either - terpenes work in numerous ways from aromatherapy to antiviral. Terpenes and THC/CBD content are varied in different strains and products and work in different ways to alleviate certain symptoms.

Treating Symptoms

This next section is intended as helpful suggestions but is by no means a definitive guide to using cannabis for treating symptoms. Cannabis interacts with each individual’s body chemistry in different ways, which means there is no substitute for cautiously trying different things. With that in mind, be sure to always start low and go slow to make sure your experience is a positive one.

Fibromyalgia Pain Management and Cannabis

Strains and products that are commonly taken for pain include not just cannabis flower but tinctures and topicals. Strains that fall under the indica plant or hybrids with a heavy indica presence are often taken for pain, however, these are often high in THC, so it may be advisable to use a full-spectrum CBD tincture or oil if wanting to avoid THC.

Fibromyalgia Sleep Management and Cannabis

Potent Indicas are a great strain source for helping with sleep. Again, these are high in THC, so just like with pain management, it is advisable to either start low and go slow, or use a CBD-based alternative.

Many people find THC to be a totally helpful - even fun - part of the experience. It is really up to the individual which way they wish to go about this as well as being honest about what feels like the best treatment for them.

Indica strains are associated with more of a heavy feeling in the body and this can be great for appetite stimulation as well as sleep management.

Cannabis for Anxiety and Depression

When it comes to anxiety, steering clear of THC can be a better bet. While THC can be very helpful for alleviating feelings of depression, it is advisable to stick with CBD-based products as too much THC can trigger anxiety, though again, every person is different, and some find it helpful for anxiety too.

In Which States is Medicinal Cannabis Accessible?

Medicinal cannabis is not legal in every state unfortunately as federal decriminalization has lagged. Here is a map of cannabis legality in the US, in case you are not sure. 

Cannabis continues to show therapeutic promise for those suffering from many ailments including fibromyalgia. As legalization continues to gain momentum and open the doors to study more thoroughly, more treatment options may open to those fighting to improve their quality of life across the country.