Contrary to widespread belief, fibromyalgia is not an autoimmune disease. Fibromyalgia is a health condition that is characterized by widespread pain (in the absence of sickness and injury), irritable bowel syndrome, exhaustion, poor sleep quality, and painful bladder syndrome. It is often confused with autoimmune diseases because it has similar symptoms.
Sadly, the traditionally approved drugs seem only to provide side effects and little or no respite for fibromyalgia patients. Interestingly, CBD is known to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. CBD is currently being touted as an alternative solution to fibromyalgia because it is believed that people can get help through the use of CBD.
CBD Oil for Fibromyalgia
CBD or cannabidiol is a chemical compound that is derived from the Cannabis Sativa/Indica plants. CBD is known to alleviate a spectrum of health conditions and is believed to be great for reducing inflammation and pain, managing anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The ease with which it can be consumed also makes it a viable alternative. Let’s look at how CBD can help those with fibromyalgia.
How CBD Can Help Those With Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia involves a situation described as endocannabinoid deficiency. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an intricate system of cell receptors, enzymes, and endocannabinoids. This system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body. It controls a wide range of biological functions: sleep, mood, temperature control, immune response, pain and pleasure perception, fertility, memory, and appetite. The ECS releases natural cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) to restore the balance in homeostasis whenever you have health issues. When there is a deficiency in the ECS, there is an imbalance in the body.
Pain:
CBD stimulates the endocannabinoid system to produce its cannabinoids, which activates the cell receptors. CBD indirectly influences CB2 cell receptors, which are responsible for altering the perception of pain in the body. CBD also helps to increase the levels of a chemical compound known as anandamide. Increased levels of this compound also help to alleviate pain in the body.
Irritable bowel syndrome:
CBD helps manage this symptom by reducing the production of reactive oxygen species in the intestinal cells so that inflammation and oxidative stress is significantly reduced. It is also great for re-flux disorders in the body.
Insomnia:
This refers to the lack of sleep that haunts people who have fibromyalgia. Insomnia is often caused by pain, stress, and anxiety. CBD is known to improve sleep cycles. When taken in large doses, CBD has soothing properties that enhance sleep quality and eliminate insomnia.
Anxiety, Stress, and Depression:
CBD’s anxiolytic properties and its ability to interact with cell receptors enable it to alter the brain’s response to stimuli, so feelings of calm replace those feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression.
Takeaway
Research has shown that CBD might be able to provide respite to people living with fibromyalgia. However, before taking CBD for this disorder, it is vital to seek help from your doctor, start small and understand how your body reacts to it before increasing the quantity.