Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Traditional treatments are not always effective and can have unwanted side effects. Fortunately, cannabinoids like CBD and CBG have shown promising results in treating fibromyalgia. In this article, we will review recent studies on the use of CBD and CBG for fibromyalgia.
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a natural compound found in the cannabis plant.
Unlike its cousin, THC, CBD is not psychoactive, which means it does not cause euphoric or perception-altering effects. CBD has become increasingly popular in recent years, due to its medicinal properties.
It is used to relieve inflammatory pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, nerve pain, as well as to reduce inflammation and help relieve these pains.
CBD is one of the most studied compounds in the cannabis plant. Several studies have shown that CBD can help relieve pain associated with fibromyalgia. For example, a 2019 study found that fibromyalgia patients who took CBD reported significant improvement in pain and improved sleep quality. Another 2020 study also showed that CBD can help improve sleep in people with fibromyalgia.
Additionally, unlike opioid painkillers, CBD is non-addictive and has no adverse side effects such as constipation, drowsiness, or mental confusion. This makes it an effective treatment option for people with fibromyalgia.
CBG, or cannabigerol, is another cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Although lesser known than CBD, CBG has also shown promising results in the treatment of fibromyalgia. In particular, CBG may help reduce inflammation and anxiety, two common symptoms in people with fibromyalgia.
A 2020 study looked at the effect of CBG on immune cells isolated from fibromyalgia patients. Researchers found that CBG reduced the production of inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that it may be helpful in reducing inflammation in people with fibromyalgia. Additionally, a 2021 study showed that CBG can help reduce anxiety in mice, suggesting that it may also be helpful in reducing anxiety in people with fibromyalgia.
Several studies have shown that CBD may be effective in relieving chronic and neuropathic pain, as well as reducing inflammation. A 2018 study looked at the effects of CBD on chronic pain in fibromyalgia patients. Participants received either CBD or a placebo for four weeks. The results showed that the CBD group had a significant reduction in pain compared to the placebo group. Another study looked at the effects of CBD on neuropathic pain. Participants received CBD as a mouth spray or a placebo. The results showed that the CBD group had a significant reduction in pain compared to the placebo group.
Although CBD and CBG have distinct benefits for fibromyalgia sufferers, the two cannabinoids can also be combined for even better results. A 2020 study looked at the effect of CBD oil and CBG in people with fibromyalgia, compared to a control group taking a placebo. The results showed that the combined CBD and CBG oil had a significant analgesic effect, reducing pain and inflammation in participants with fibromyalgia.
Additionally, it has been suggested that CBG may enhance the absorption and efficacy of CBD, by acting as an allosteric modulator at cannabinoid receptors. This means that CBG can help improve the way CBD interacts with the body, increasing its effectiveness.
In another study, researchers evaluated the effectiveness of CBD and CBG oil in people with multiple sclerosis. The results showed that the combination of these two cannabinoids had a synergistic effect, improving symptoms of multiple sclerosis such as pain, spasticity and depression.
Additionally, the combination of CBD and CBG may also help alleviate some of the side effects of CBD, such as sedation and fatigue, due to the stimulating effect of CBG. This can be beneficial for people who find CBD alone makes them overly tired or sleepy.
