New study
GIVES HOPE TO
FIBROMYALGIA
SUFFERERS
CBD and medical cannabis have been touted as
potential f ibromyalgia treatments. A recent Italian study
demonstrated that cannabinoids could be an ally in the
f ight against pain, sleep problems and anxiety.
Words by Caroline Barry
Cannabis can improve the effectiveness
of standard pain treatments in patients
with f ibromyalgia, according to a new
Italian study.
Just under half of the participants felt able to
reduce their standard pain relief regimen or even
quit it completely after being treated with medical
cannabis.
One third of the participants reported
improvements in sleep and fi bromyalgia symptoms
and half reported a reduction in depression and
anxiety.
The researchers concluded:
“Medical cannabis offers a possible clinical
advantage in FM [fi bromyalgia] patients, especially
in those with sleep dysfunctions.
“The retention rate and changes in concomitant
analgesic therapy refl ect MCT effi cacy of the
improved quality of life of patients.”
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes
pain all over the body.
The NHS estimates that 1 in 20 people suffer from
the condition and women are seven times more
likely than men to develop it.
In the study published in the journal Clinical and
Experimental Rheumatology, 102 patients were
given access to Bedrocan, a cannabis oil that has
a THC content of 22% and less than 1% CBD, and
26
Bediol oil, which contains 6.3% THC and 8% CBD.
Participants were encouraged to take the oil for six
months while decreasing or quitting their existing
medication if they felt they could.
Prior studies have shown that medical cannabis is
an effective alternative medication, but this is the
fi rst study to suggest that it is benefi cial to take
alongside pain medication.
The exact cause of fi bromyalgia is unknown, but it
is thought to be linked to abnormal levels of certain
chemicals in the brain and changes to the way that
the central nervous system transmits pain messages
around the body.
There is currently no cure, with sufferers reduced
to taking over-the-counter pain medication to
treat symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, anxiety,
depression and sleep disturbances.
Some sufferers also report tension headaches and
irritable bowel syndrome.
A Fibromyalgia UK spokesperson said in a statement
that the UK has a long way to go in terms of access,
but that the new study is cause for celebration.
“We would have to echo the sentiments of Health
Secretary Matt Hancock that this is a "tremendous
step forward.
“However, due to the lack of research in respect
of chronic pain and cannabis and specifi cally
fi bromyalgia we will continue to have people
being pushed to break the law in order to access a
treatment that can potentially help them.”