10 Positive Effects of CBD on Fibromyalgia

What is fibromyalgia?

Symptoms

Difficult to diagnose, define, and treat, fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by intense pain, often of muscular and bone origin. Other symptoms may include severe fatigue , sleep disturbances , anxiety , and sometimes depression .

The areas of the body most affected by fibromyalgia are: shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, back of the head and chest.

The causes

To date, the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. However, certain factors appear to predispose some people to suffer from it. These include genetics, infections, muscle trauma, and emotional and affective shocks .

Treatments

Unfortunately, there is no definitive cure for fibromyalgia. Doctors prescribe medications based on the most significant symptoms. The goal is to help patients manage the condition and learn to live with it.

When fibromyalgia appears to be psychological in origin (anxiety or depression), it is not uncommon to resort to antidepressants. For pain, only analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed.

The problem is that drug treatments sometimes cause unwanted side effects, which is why many people are looking for natural alternatives like CBD to relieve their daily ailments.

What are the benefits of CBD on the body?

CBD increases sleep quality

Disturbed sleep is one of the main symptoms of fibromyalgia. This is mainly due to stress and anxiety, which are some of the symptoms experienced by individuals with fibromyalgia . However, it is possible to alleviate this suffering and enjoy more peaceful sleep with fewer interruptions.

Our body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that secretes molecules similar to cannabidiol (CBD), an active ingredient found in hemp plants and which, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), does not make you "high."

Coming back to the SEC, it ensures that the body's physiological constants (temperature, blood composition, cardiovascular tone, etc.) are maintained at normal levels, thanks to two types of sensors located in the brain: CB1 sensors, associated with the nervous system, and CB2 sensors, linked to the immune system.

These sensors take various measurements in the body and adapt their behavior to their environment. In its interaction with the ECS, CBD activates the sensors associated with the nervous system and thus stimulates the production in the blood of molecules - such as melatonin - which promotes the regulation of chronobiological rhythms and aids in muscle relaxation.

Ultimately, it causes a feeling of relaxation and drowsiness, and the patient can sleep better.

CBD soothes feelings of fatigue and weakness

According to feedback from people who have used CBD, this molecule also appears to be a valuable ally against the feelings of weakness and lack of energy experienced by people with fibromyalgia.

Indeed, if physical fatigue is the result of the temporary inability of a muscle to maintain optimal performance, mental fatigue is the effect of the temporary decrease in cognitive performance.

However, these types of fatigue are the consequences of prolonged use of the muscles and brain and can be resolved with a period of rest and respite which is usually enough to recover.

However, for the patient suffering from fibromyalgia, rest is not the solution. What is needed is a substance, a molecule capable of invigorating the brain and restoring muscle tone.

Having received testimonials from many people who have used CBD for fatigue and weakness, we can recommend using CBD. CBD stimulates the affected individual's brain, which produces adrenaline.

Once the adrenaline is released, the brain emerges from its torpor and the body's muscles regain their vigor. The individual then regains satisfaction.

CBD soothes joint and muscle pain

It is true that fibromyalgia is not primarily a joint disease, nor an inflammatory or degenerative condition, and therefore does not cause permanent damage to joints, bones, and muscles.

However, the majority of people with fibromyalgia mainly complain of joint and muscle pain which is very difficult to live with in the long term and completely disrupts their daily lives.

Although the effects of CBD on fibromyalgia have not yet been medically confirmed, many people suffering from this pain have reported experiencing some pain relief after using CBD.

In fact, as we said above, in the body, CBD interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system whose role is essentially to control the functioning of the central nervous system (cognitive activities) and that of the peripheral organs.

CBD activates CB2 receptors that modulate the body's response to inflammation and pain , thus promoting a reduction in inflammation and pain sensation. It is even possible that CBD products, including cannabinoid oil, ointments, creams, etc., may provide relief from osteoarthritis , arthritis , rheumatism , multiple sclerosis , ankylosing spondylitis , etc.

CBD inhibits irritability and mood swings

If CBD can relieve sleep disturbances, fatigue, and muscle and joint pain, could it also influence mood? This question is worth asking because people with fibromyalgia are also sometimes very irritable, with frequent mood swings—symptoms that can seriously affect judgment and social functioning.

To control themselves in such cases, some people resort to taking various medications, the side effects of which (anxiety, weight gain, etc.) sometimes have a greater impact on their health.

It was therefore important to find a natural palliative solution, composed of a product extracted from plants and/or herbs and which could relieve the symptoms of irritability and mood swings.

Trials conducted with CBD on a patient population have shown that CBD stimulates the nervous system through the endocannabinoid system and its sensors. These stimulate the brain to release dopamine, which inhibits abnormal brain activity responsible for mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and other similar symptoms.

The person concerned therefore rediscovers the joy of living and good humor.

CBD improves memory and concentration

Fibromyalgia patients often report an inability to retain new information and frequent forgetfulness (losing keys due to distractions, forgetting important appointments, etc.).

Obviously, when these symptoms are not properly treated, the patient can fall into depression, which only makes the situation worse.

Low levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in patients have been found to be among the causes of mental confusion, difficulty concentrating and memory loss.

Taking CBD in these cases provides relief to the patient by triggering the production of norepinephrine. What is it actually?

Norepinephrine or "norepinephrine" is a neurotransmitter very similar to adrenaline and causes an increase in heart rate, the contraction of certain vessels and the relaxation of others in order to transport more blood to the brain.

With the brain being better nourished, memory and concentration are boosted, which promotes excitement and alertness.

So if you are suffering from fibromyalgia and memory loss and concentration problems are affecting your social and professional life, do not hesitate to turn to CBD .

CBD relieves headaches and migraines

Clinical trials suggest that CBD may also have a positive effect on migraines and headaches.

An article published in the journal Experimental Neurology informs us that the endocannabinoid system plays a central role in processing pain signals.

Through the CB1 receptor, endocannabinoids inhibit pain signaling, allowing the patient to no longer experience migraines or headaches .

The article also argues that the endocannabinoid system could be considered a therapeutic tool in reducing the physiological and inflammatory components of pain felt during migraine attacks.

However, endocannabinoids are so similar to CBD in structure that their sensors mistake them for CBD.

In doing so, taking CBD manages to interact with the endocannabinoid system and triggers, through interaction with CB1 receptors, the inhibition of pain in the brain and therefore migraines and headaches.

CBD relieves gastrointestinal disorders

Could fibromyalgia be linked to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? At least, that's what some studies seem to prove.

These studies found that nearly 48% of fibromyalgia patients experienced symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, which include bloating, abdominal pain and cramps, constipation, diarrhea, and other changes in bowel habits.

This research also revealed that cannabidiol is able to relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

In fact, researchers have noticed in the small and large intestines, an impressive number of cannabinoid receptors whose activation inhibits the secretion of gastrointestinal juices and therefore inflammation of the intestines.

The presence of CBD in the nervous system could therefore help to:

• relax the contractions of the smooth muscles of the intestine;
• reduce cramps;
• control intestinal functions;
• block gastrointestinal mechanisms;
• reduce gastroesophageal reflux.

Although these results are not yet scientifically validated, many  Patients with fibromyalgia have given positive feedback after trying CBD.

CBD reduces hypersensitivity to noise, smells, and light

Overreacting to ordinary stimuli such as noise, bright light, strong scents, etc., is evidence of sensory hypersensitivity that deserves treatment. Yet, these are common symptoms of fibromyalgia.

To alleviate the pain, experts tried chemical-based treatments, to which patients also proved hypersensitive. Experts then decided to find an all-natural remedy that could solve the problem.

They agreed to introduce the use of CBD as a natural remedy for this hypersensitivity, as CBD has no side effects.

Although it is a molecule extracted from cannabis, CBD has proven to be very effective, as patients have responded positively, with a drastic reduction in their hypersensitivity.

Further research has shown that CBD interacts with the central nervous system to reduce neuronal activity by releasing a retrograde inhibitory signal at synapses. As a result, sensory activity returns to normal.

CBD relieves depression and restores joy in life

Did you know that severe depression - which turns into melancholy when it is prolonged or when patients have a history of depression - which is one of the symptoms of fibromyalgia, has been linked to low levels of serotonin and dopamine?

Doctors have tried antidepressants, but their effects aren't necessarily encouraging. Although CBD isn't approved for use, they've tried it on patients anyway, and here's the result.

Administering CBD to patients was able to trigger the production of serotonin, sometimes called the "happy hormone," and dopamine.

These are neurotransmitters that influence the functioning of the central nervous system and interact with the appropriate receptors to rapidly increase resistance to stress and depression.

CBD and its positive effects on bladder dysfunction

Located at the back of the pubis, the bladder is the organ responsible for storing and evacuating urine produced in the kidneys. But this organ is sometimes prone to certain ailments, including painful bladder syndrome, also known as interstitial cystitis.

It is an inflammation of the bladder that causes an abnormally frequent urge to urinate, coupled with severe pain in the lower abdomen, bladder and vagina in women.

Interestingly, this condition is most common in patients with fibromyalgia or a similar syndrome and occurs almost simultaneously with other fibromyalgia symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome.

This therefore seems to indicate that fibromyalgia would be a causal factor of painful bladder syndrome.

To confirm this hypothesis, researchers selected a population of patients with fibromyalgia. They were given CBD-based products. In 95% of cases, the patients experienced lower abdominal relaxation and a feeling of satisfaction.

How to use CBD for fibromyalgia?

As you can see, CBD is packed with health benefits and can help you relieve your fibromyalgia-related ailments. To use CBD properly, there are three healthy ways to use it:

• Infusion: Infusion or herbal tea is one of the easiest ways to consume CBD. The advantage of this method is that you can use it with CBD flowers, resins, or oils. You can even opt for a ready-made CBD infusion .
  
• In the kitchen: You can also use your CBD flowers , resins and oils in cooking to give your culinary preparations a soothing, relaxing and pain-relieving effect. You can even prepare a CBD-based oil or butter to easily integrate it into your daily recipes.
• Vaporizing: If you prefer to smoke CBD, vaporizing is a healthy option. Equipped with a temperature regulator, the vaporizer is a device that allows you to smoke CBD flowers and resins without tobacco or combustion.
• Sublingually: Finally, you can simply use CBD oil sublingually, that is, by pouring a few drops under the tongue using the pipette. Nothing could be simpler to enjoy the relaxing properties of CBD!

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