Over 10 million Americans suffer from fibromyalgia and know too well how real the pain of their condition can be. There is no known cure for this long-term chronic disorder, and due to the lack of objective tests, some doctors question whether it even exists. Although it’s now more widely accepted in the medical community, symptoms like general fatigue and tiredness can’t be measured with tests, making fibromyalgia treatment hard to come by. But a new Israeli study says cannabis could offer the hope that patients need.
New Study on Cannabis as a Fibromyalgia Treatment
Fibromyalgia is a chronic medical disorder that is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain. It affects 3% to 6% of the world population, with around 80% of patients being female. While the study didn’t conclude that cannabis can cure the condition, it did find that it’s a good option for treating severe symptoms like pain. Cannabis can also help with many other fibromyalgia symptoms, including problems with sleep, fatigue, depression, and changes in mood.
While it’s widely accepted that cannabis can treat many forms of chronic pain, there haven’t been many studies that specifically look at the role it can play in treating fibromyalgia. Most patients are limited to a pharmaceutical cocktail of opiates, sleep aids, and antidepressants to find relief, but these treatments tend to be insufficient. This study sheds light on an exciting new option for a condition that is notorious for being difficult to treat.
Fibromyalgia Treatment Study Results
The study was conducted by Israeli researchers from the Department of Rheumatology at Rabin Medical Center. It’s the first and largest clinical trial to look at herbal cannabis in fibromyalgia patients and included 367 participants. The results proved to be overwhelmingly positive.
Patients in the study reported that after six months, their average pain level was reduced scientifically from a severe 9/10 to a manageable 5/10. Most patients experienced a positive response and a change in their quality of life from poor to good or very good. Researchers reported that:
- 81.1% of patients experienced symptom improvement
- 73.4% experienced better sleep
- 80.8% experienced depression relief
- 61.9% improved their overall quality of life
Cannabis: A Therapy With Few Side Effects
Study participants reported very few mild side effects, ranging from dry mouth to dizziness in less than 10% of patients. Researchers concluded that medical cannabis seems to be an effective and safe alternative to traditional drugs.
Researchers also noted that cannabis is a worthwhile treatment option for pain because of the low risk for addiction and negative side effects compared to opioids. They emphasized the importance of further research because of the potential for cannabis to treat other debilitating symptoms like depression and anxiety.
Many medical professionals are hopeful that cannabis could become the new go-to therapy option for treating fibromyalgia. It’s a safe and effective option for all patients but has an especially high potential for those who haven’t been successful with standard pharmacological therapies, and people who suffer a very poor quality of life.
If you want to learn more about treating pain with high-quality cannabis, we’d love to help. Schedule an appointment today or drop by. We’re happy to answer all of your questions and get you started on the road to better health.
