Medical Marijuana and Fibromyalgia
What is Fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia can be characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain of varying degrees. It is believed that this fibromyalgia affects the way your brain processes pain signals, thereby amplifying painful sensations. This pain is often accompanied by fatigue, insomnia, depression and memory issues. Some patients also suffer from tension headaches and irritable bowel syndrome. According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, it is believed that over 10 million individuals in the USA are affected by this disorder and approximately 3-6% of the world population1. As one of the most common chronic pain disorders, fibromyalgia is more prevalent in women with 75-90% of patients falling into this category2, however it can also affect men and children. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known; some patients experience symptoms after a physical trauma such as surgery or infection, or psychological stress. It is also believed that individuals may have a genetic predisposition to the condition. However, it can also develop over time with no identifiable trigger.
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http://www.fmaware.org/about-fibromyalgia/prevalence/ http://www.fmaware.org/about-fibromyalgia/prevalence/
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia The symptoms of this painful disorder can be broken down into four categories: Widespread, Chronic Pain The pain associated with fibromyalgia can be described as a constant, dull ache which lasts for periods of at least three months. As this pain is considered “widespread”, it typically occurs on both sides of the body and above and below the waist with no particular origin point. Fatigue Due to the nature of fibromyalgia as a chronic condition, it is often accompanied by fatigue. Individuals often feel they have disturbed sleep due to pain and may even have restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea in addition to fibromyalgia. Cognitive Difficulty This particular disorder often results in cognitive difficulties as pain can create a “fog” in the brain making it difficult to focus on other tasks. Mood Disorders As with many conditions that feature chronic pain, a side-effect of which often relates to mood. Individuals dealing with daily pain, particularly widespread pain, can exhibit feelings of depression and stress and may sometimes feel that there is no way to escape the pain.
Current Treatments for Fibromyalgia There is no universal treatment for fibromyalgia yet. Doctors typically recommend a mixture of medication and self-care with an emphasis on minimizing symptoms. That is where cannabis comes in.
How Cannabis Can Help
Cannabis is chalk full of anti-inflammatory pain relieving properties that can prove very effective for managing fibromyalgia symptoms. The powerful pain relieving effects of cannabis can be attributed to how cannabis communicates with CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout our endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system runs throughout the body and when it is unbalanced, the effects can be astronomical. In fact, it can result in mood issues, gastrointestinal issues, sleep disorders and muscle spasms - many of these are symptoms found in fibromyalgia patients. When it comes to medical marijuana and fibromyalgia, many patients have found relief from their symptoms and there are several studies to corroborate this. A 2011 study3 found that fibromyalgia patients who used cannabis showed a statistically significant decrease in pain and stiffness two hours after consuming cannabis, compared to non-users. This relief was also accompanied by enhanced feelings of well-being and relaxation. In 2014, the National Pain Foundation conducted a survey4 of over 1,300 patients - nearly 30% of which have used medical cannabis. Of the cannabis users, 62% found cannabis to be "very effective" at managing their symptoms and 33% reported that it "helped a little" while only 5% did not get relief with cannabis. This results of this study concluded that “medical marijuana is
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3080871/ http://nationalpainreport.com/marijuana-rated-most-effective-for-treating-fibromyalgia-8823638.html
far more effective at treating symptoms of fibromyalgia than any of the three prescription drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat the disorder�5.
Best Strains for Fibromyalgia
As with most conditions, there are some cannabis strains that lend themselves better to helping relieve the symptoms. In the case of fibromyalgia, Indica or Indica-dominant hybrid strains have proven very effective at managing chronic pain and helping to relax the body and ease the mind. Our top picks for best strains for fibromyalgia include: Romulan Named after the enemy alien race in Star Trek, Romulan is a surefire enemy to chronic pain. This strain is highly potent with near-pure Indica genetics that produces heavy body relaxation to ease chronic pain as well as a mild euphoria. This strain is ideal for patients suffering from fibromyalgia and arthritis, as well as chronic pain from injury or illness. Romulan is also great for managing insomnia. Critical Mass This is an Indica-dominant strain created through breeding Afghani and Skunk #1 strains. The resulting cross has potent effects due to the high THC content, which can range from 19% to 22% on average. This strain is ideal for managing more severe pain or chronic issues due to the
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relaxing nature, which is combined with a pleasant uplift in mood. This strain is also ideal for battling insomnia and depression. Girl Scout Cookies Another Indica-dominant hybrid, Girl Scout Cookies began as a mix of OG Kush, Durban Poison and Cherry Kush. A little goes a long way with this potent strain! With a Indica/Sativa ratio of 60:40, this strain produces balanced effects and has a sweet and earthy taste. Girl Scout Cookies is a favourite among individuals managing anxiety, stress, depression and issues surrounding appetite or chronic pain. Users find great relief with the long-lasting couch-lock body effects and potent euphoria. Cannatonic Cannatonic is an hybrid blend of MK Ultra and G-13 Haze. The resulting cross is a 50/50 hybrid strain that is high in CBD at around 12% with THC levels typically below 6-7%. This strain has balanced effects that make users feel relaxed and uplifted. Due to the high CBD and low THC cannabinoids in this strain, it does not produce a “high� but does result in an uplifted mood and clear head. Cannatonic is ideal for managing chronic pain issues, such as with fibromyalgia. Bubba OG Bubba OG is a Canadian original that was generated by crossing Pre-98 Bubba Kush and Ghost OG. The resulting strain is an Indica-dominant hybrid with a sweet, pungent smell. Bubba OG has a 80:20 Indica/Sativa ratio, which makes it a potent option for treating chronic pain (such as fibromyalgia) as well as insomnia and appetite loss. While medical marijuana cannot complete treat fibromyalgia, it can help to reduce the symptoms and allow patients to lead a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Buy Cannabis Online! FairCannaCare is an online cannabis dispensary that provides marijuana products to Canadians. We firmly believe that all Canadians should have access to the benefits of cannabis, which is why we have flower starting at just $2 per gram. We also have strains up to $6 and $7 per gram for connoisseurs looking for the best experience. Our mail-order marijuana service also offers shatter, edibles and capsules, tinctures and vape pen kits and replacement cartridges. Sources: http://www.fmaware.org/about-fibromyalgia/prevalence/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354780 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354785 https://www.healthline.com/health/fibromyalgia#fibromyalgia-trigger-points https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/580d7d070d2d2f000ba48658/top-cannabis-strains-forfibromyalgia https://www.leafly.com/news/strains-products/best-cannabis-strains-for-fibromyalgia