Yo doc – what is fibromyalgia?
Since fibromyalgia is a disorder that is characterized by the symptoms it shows in the body, it makes quite difficult for doctors to uncover the early and appropriate diagnosis.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia often start with widespread musculoskeletal pain that is unproportioned, followed by fatigue, sleep and mood issues, and cognitive compromise.
What hurts the most is that the cause of fibromyalgia is still uncovered; however, researchers think fibromyalgia triggers due to repeated nerve stimulation.
This overexcited nerve pulse firing leads to a particular chemical increase in the brain that signals pain. All this could be due to increase of prostaglandins releast, genetics, some infectious illnesses, and physical and emotional trauma.
Complications related to fibromyalgia are perplexed in such a way that pain and lack of sleep interfere with the sufferer’s abilities to function at home or on the job.
The exasperation dealing with an often-misunderstood state also result in depression and health-related anxiety.
Treatment of fibromyalgia
While there is no accurate lab test to confirm the diagnosis of fibromyalgia, treatment revolves around the self-care and medications to control the symptoms.
Furthermore, no one treatment works for all signs. However, with massive medicines come side effects, solution for all that lies in the miracle plant- cannabis sativa.
THC or CBD oil extracted from the robust plant combat all the symptoms related to fibromyalgia with no adverse effects.
According to some researchers, pain management and inflammatory response reduction are two main therapeutic effects of THC or CBD. These cannabis extracts react in the body’s endocannabinoid system- ECS is a naturally built-in complex physiological system in the human body, which take control of standard functions such as sleep, mood, appetite, pain and inflammation, reproduction, and immune response.
The perplexed mechanism of enzymes and receptors in the human body has two primary CB1 and CB2 receptors that are majorly present in CNS and immune system.
The ECS reacts with these receptors in controlling the optimal function of the basic life cycle; it also interacts with an exocannabinoids like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabinoid).
Since THC is the psychoactive element, it produces “high” feeling in its users. Whereas CBD is the non-psychoactive component of cannabis sativa plant, which not only is beneficial but it also shows apparent positive effects with CB1 and 2 receptors.
Not only this, CBD progressively activates 5-HT1A (hydroxytryptamine) serotonin receptor that in return confers an anti-anxiety effect. It also binds toTRPV1 (vanilloid receptor) and mediates pain perception, body temperature, and inflammation.
Can insufficiency of endocannabinoid system interpret fibromyalgia? Not all systems in our body work correctly; similarly, ECS doesn’t always work like a well-oiled machine. It has cons when both depleted and excessive endocannabinoid levels fluctuate in the body mainly when associated with some pathologies.
According to researchers, this theory is called “Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency” which often posit an explanation for many difficulties like fibromyalgia.
Infamous neurologist and psychopharmacology researcher, Dr. Ethan Russo suggests that diseases like Parkinson and Alzheimer show predictable clinical features that too follow a fit pattern which is consistent with an endocannabinoid deficiency, mainly these are bowel symptoms, migraines, and fibromyalgia.
All these are hyperalgesia syndromes, meaning that they seem to manifest pain out of proportion. Doc Russo suggested that boosting a compromised endocannabinoid system should be an optimal choice and option, and for that phytocannabinoids found in CBD and THC helps to cure the condition.
As fibromyalgia is a combination of some dreadful symptoms, these features include unproportioned musculoskeletal pain, compromised cognition, fatigue, and mood and sleep issues.
From CBD the manifestations related to fibromyalgia can be managed with no possible psychoactive adverse effects. While THC therapies are in many states still not mainstream, CBD has become more widely accepted due to its non-psychoactive properties and has been gaining faster acceptance by big pharma.
Depending on several researchers, both anecdotal and scientific observations suggested that phytocannabinoids in cannabis plant have therapeutic effects on symptoms of fibromyalgia.
On a study on fibromyalgia, questionnaires filled by cannabis users documented a significant reduction in fibromyalgia symptoms. There was decreased pain and stiffness, excellent enhancement of relaxation, and optimal feeling of well-being and somnolence.
In a similar survey from the National Pain Foundation done online on March 2014, which interviewed over 1,400 fibromyalgia patients, and established results that at least 60% patients who tried cannabis quoted it was effective at treating their symptoms. The online survey also reported that medical marijuana is much more efficient at managing fibromyalgia symptoms comparatively to any of the three prescription drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to cure the disease.
Another study on treating pain documented that subjects on clinical trials showed well-tolerated cannabinoid analgesics with acceptable adverse event profiles.
The addition of cannabinoid to the pharmacological armamentarium specifically for treatment of pain reveals excellent promise.
Best form of CBD Intake for fibromyalgia
CBD has brought light into a dark room since its prevalence outshined most of the pharmacological medications to treat fibromyalgia, CBD for fibromyalgia has been recommended by certified physicians lately.
For decades, fibromyalgia sufferers have been searching for appropriate interventions to deal with their dreadful symptoms. Medications which are given to patients are mainly painkillers, NSAIDs, or sleep medicines; however, these drugs result in a bunch of adverse effects that our body repent.
Now, with the nourishing aid of the miracle plant, the extraction of CBD reveals massive relief and recovery from symptoms of fibromyalgia, all while keeping the body free from chemicals and dangerous combinations of pharmaceuticals.
For the reason that fibromyalgia patients are sensitive to pain, CBD and THC helps immensely in pain management, because both marijuana and hemp possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic characteristics in their terpenes profiles.
Fibromyalgia also gives anti-anxiety effects which patients often feel due to immense musculoskeletal pain and discomfort.
Coming to the typical forms of remedies, there are mainly three types through which you can benefit yourself according to the condition you are suffering with.
CBD & THC tincture drops
CBD and THC can be diluted with carrier oils to make tincture drops, which comes in a small glass bottle. Tinctures can be flavored or raw readily available in the market.
Tincture drops are mostly used via sublingual region (under the tongue) through which it reaches into the bloodstream within 60 to 90 seconds while bypassing the digestive system.
So far, this technique of using CBD and THC for fibromyalgia has been commended by most users due to its quick delivery into the system. Tincture drops not only benefits immediately but also stays in the body for the more extended period while giving relief and reducing joint pain immensely.
Many fibromyalgia patients who are also struggling with digestion problems claimed that oil tinctures help them get rid of the anxiety of swallowing the capsules, giving quick calmness, body relaxation and meanwhile inducing sleep as well.
Pros:
– Quick delivery into the bloodstream.
– Stays in the body system for longer period of time.
– Better for patients suffering from digestive issues.
Cons:
– People sensitive to taste wouldn’t like the taste of fresh tincture drops.
CBD and THC vape
Vaping is one of the easiest ways to let the tiny molecules sink into the body. Vaping has very high efficacy, meaning through the inhaling E-liquid you are going to absorb a very high percentage of the product.
It makes 90% of the CBD or THC to go directly into the bloodstream with less than a minute of time. Vaping is powerful and potent but quickly done with the help of refillable vape pens or vape shots.
E-liquid for vaping comes in flavors that are not artificial and prove to be essential for smokers but they can also come blended with oils not easily tolerated by some individuals. Theck the carrier ingredients in vape cartridges before you commit.
Due to the active vaping, the active molecules immediately relaxes the fatigued muscles and give solace to the tired mind and body of fibromyalgia patients.
Even though vaping does not take a lot of time to reach the stream but neither it stays in shape for the more extended period. An individual need to vape several times a day for favorable results.
Pros:
– Easy and immediate delivery into the bloodstream.
– Through vaping, a high percentage of CBD or THC absorbs into the body.
Cons:
– CBD molecules only stay in the body for a few hours due to the inhalation pathway. Hence, lasting effects are shorter than any other CBD oil pathways. Fibromyalgia patients need to vape several times in a day.
– Vaping is not always convenient with the pen, its charging and filling stuff.
CBD and THC oil concentrates
CBD and THC oil concentrates do not contain any carrier oil or added flavors. The concentrates are 100% pure with earthy, grassy taste to it along with a high level of potency and terpene profiles depend on the plant sources.
Pure oil concentrate are very much close to the natural form of plant with no additives at all.
Similar to tincture drops, concentrates could be taken sublingually, the efficacy rate is just like drops; however, it does not last long in the bodily systems. You can also use concentrate paste or gel mixed with food.
Pros:
– Good for users who need 100% pure medications with no added flavors to it.
– It can be mixed with edibles to swallow with ease.
Cons:
– The efficacy of a topical form of CBD oil does not last for longer period of time.
Final verdict
Through many types of research and finding out fibromyalgia sufferers’ choice, we have contemplated that the best option is in tincture form.
For the treatment of symptoms of fibromyalgia, the optimal way is to take oil via sublingual region (under the tongue)from where the oil reaches the bloodstream within a few minutes without passing through the digestive system.
