Hong Kong, China: The use of botanical cannabis and its isolated cannabinoids provides symptomatic relief to fibromyalgia (FM) patients and poses few serious side effects, according to a literature review of observational trials and clinical studies published in the journal Pain Physician.
A team of Chinese investigators reviewed results from 12 published studies involving over 1,200 FM patients.
Consistent with the results of other literature reviews, researchers determined that cannabis and various cannabinoid preparations reduced FM-related pain post-treatment and enhanced patients’ quality of life. Adverse effects associated with cannabis were described as “non-serious,” and included dizziness, dry mouth, and drowsiness.
“The findings of our study suggest that cannabinoids may be a safe alternative for managing fibromyalgia,” the study’s authors concluded. “Reductions in pain intensity were observed with both short-term (less than 3 months) and longer-term treatments (3 months or more). … Additionally, the use of cannabinoids was associated with improved sleep quality, enhanced quality of life, and a reduction in depression and anxiety. These findings suggest that cannabinoids may provide multiple benefits for fibromyalgia patients.”
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and multiple tender points in the neck, spine, shoulders and hips. Surveys report that fibromyalgia patients frequently consume cannabis and CBD products to manage their disease symptoms.
Full text of the study, “Analgesic effect of cannabinoids for fibromyalgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” appears in Pain Physician.Additional information oncannabis and FM is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.