Cannabis for Fibromyalgia: The Benefits and Uses
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that can make it difficult for sufferers to feel relaxed or happy during the holidays. However, there is hope and research shows that marijuana could be a great treatment for those who suffer from fibromyalgia. Let’s take a look at how cannabis can help with your fibromyalgia treatment.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes chronic pain and widespread muscle aches. It’s marked by a long-term increase in the sensitivity of your nervous system, making it more responsive to pain. This sensitivity is accompanied by a heightened sensitivity to other sensory experiences, like touch, smell, and sound. While the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, it’s believed that a combination of factors, including genetics and stress, can lead to a condition in which the nervous system is overly sensitive to the sensation of pain. In addition to pain, people with fibromyalgia often experience headache, fatigue, insomnia, mood disorders, and irritable bowel syndrome.
How Does Marijuana Relieve Pain in Fibromyalgia?
Cannabinoids interact with receptors in the central nervous system and elsewhere in the body, which can result in changes in mood, relaxation, and pain perception. This can reduce stress and anxiety and improve sleep. It can also help reduce pain by affecting pathways in the central nervous system that are involved in transmitting pain signals to other parts of the body. In addition, some cannabinoids are known to work with neurotransmitters such as serotonin to have an effect on pain perception. Additionally, phytocannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol, may be useful for other conditions that are also associated with the endocannabinoid system, such as chronic pain, inflammation, and anxiety.
Benefits of Using Cannabis
There are many potential benefits of using cannabis for fibromyalgia.
- Cannabinoids may help reduce pain and improve sleep by affecting pathways in the central nervous system that are involved in transmitting pain signals to other parts of the body
- CBD and other phytocannabinoids may be useful for other conditions that are also associated with the endocannabinoid system, such as chronic pain, inflammation, and anxiety
- CBD-rich cannabis helps ease their symptoms of fibromyalgia, including pain, inflammation, and fatigue.
- Certain cannabinoids are also reported to reduce other types of inflammation, such as periodontal disease, which can occur when people with fibromyalgia have compromised immune systems
- Consuming CBD-rich cannabis may be an effective way to reduce anxiety in people with fibromyalgia, as this symptom can also be linked to increased levels of stress
- Some people find that consuming cannabis helps them to better manage the sleep disturbances that are common in fibromyalgia, such as the urge to wake up despite feeling tired.
Risk and Side Effects
While marijuana can provide immense benefits for people with conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic pain, it can also come with a few risks. One of the biggest risks associated with marijuana use is developing a dependency on the drug. While many people do not develop a dependency on marijuana, it is still a possible risk. In addition to the risk of developing a dependency, marijuana can come with some side effects. Your body reacts to marijuana in different ways depending on your ethnic background and health issues. A person who has a serious medical condition, like heart disease, has a higher risk of side effects. Marijuana has been linked to impaired cognitive function, including short-term memory loss. This can be a concern for anyone, but it’s especially important to be careful if you have a condition like fibromyalgia that affects your cognitive function.
Ways to use Cannabis
Marijuana comes in many forms and can be consumed in a variety of ways, including:
- Smoking – This is the most common way of consuming marijuana. It can be smoked in a joint or pipe, or it can be consumed through a vaporizer.
- Eating edibles – If you choose to eat marijuana, be sure to eat it with a healthy diet and plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
- Vaping – Marijuana can also be consumed through a vape pen or e-liquid, which is a liquid that can be inhaled as directed.
- Applying topicals – Topicals are products applied to the skin and are not as harmful as traditional edibles since they don’t enter the bloodstream as easily and are only present on the skin for a short period of time.
Conclusion
If you’ve been feeling blue this season and struggling to find ways to relieve your pain, you may want to try using marijuana. While it may come with some risks, it can provide a significant amount of pain relief for people with fibromyalgia. As with any medical treatment, it’s important to follow the directions and do your research before you try any new treatment. If you decide to try marijuana, remember to use in moderation. Visit MMJExpress.cc online dispensary for all your cannabis needs.
