Are you interested in CBD for fibromyalgia in the Baltimore area but aren’t sure where to go? Currently people in the Baltimore area use CBD for relief for a long list of conditions like cancer, arthritis, irritable bowel disease, and many more. It is no surprise then that someone suffering from fibromyalgia would look to CBD in Baltimore for relief. In this article we are going to examine what fibromyalgia is and how CBD could help you find relief.
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a condition that effects 4 million adults in America. This is roughly 2% of the adult population that is affected in some way by fibromyalgia, so it is no wonder many are looking to CBD as a treatment option. Typically, fibromyalgia is characterized by patients experiencing pain all over their body. It can also affect sleep, cause fatigue, and can lead to emotional and mental distress.
The symptoms of fibromyalgia included the following:
- Pain and stiffness all over the body
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Depression and anxiety
- Sleep problems
- Problems with thinking, memory, and concentration
- Headaches, including migraines
Other symptoms may include:
- Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
- Pain in the face or jaw, including disorders of the jaw known as temporomandibular joint syndrome (also known as TMJ)
- Digestive problems, such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and even irritable bowel syndrome (also known as IBS)
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
Unfortunately, the exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known, but there are some ideas as to what may cause it. Some doctors and researchers think there may be a genetic cause to fibromyalgia. There is a possibility that serotonin receptors and transporter genes may be the cause. Serotonin is a chemical that sends signals through our nervous system. It is thought to be active in constricting smooth muscles, and it contributes to wellbeing and happiness, among other things.
There is also some evidence to suggest that fibromyalgia can be brought on by major traumas to your body. And there appears to be a potential link between fibromyalgia and psychological conditions like depression, which are often diagnosed alongside of fibromyalgia.
CBD For Fibromyalgia
CBD has many benefits including helping with pain, inflammation, and anxiety. It does this by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a complex network of receptors located throughout the body in areas such as the brain, skin, bones, digestive system, nervous system, and more.
One area that seems to be particularly affected by fibromyalgia is the brain. Recent studies indicate that fibromyalgia may cause inflammation in the brain which leads to pain and brain fog. The studies indicate that microglia in the brain and spinal cord play a role in fibromyalgia. When certain cells become activated, they can contribute to inflammation by amplifying pain signaling and transmission.
CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system within the body can modulate microglial cell function. One 2016 study in the Swiss journal “Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences” suggested that therapeutic strategies aimed at CB2 receptors could provide a promising treatment for inflammation. The therapeutic effects of CBD on inflammation have been documented in a range of studies, such as one published in 2015 in the journal “Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry.”
CBD has also been shown to reduce neuropathic pain in the body. Neuropathic pain arises when nerves have been damaged or are not working properly. Many fibromyalgia suffers have been known to experience neuropathic pain.
CBD For Fibromyalgia and Sleep
A common symptom many experience with fibromyalgia is a lack of sleep. This could be because of the pain and inflammation that many are experiencing. It could be related to the anxiety that many that suffer from fibromyalgia also experience. Either way, CBD can help.
CBD can help with sleep in several ways. Its ability to fight pain and inflammation can help you experience better sleep. However, research has shown that larger doses of CBD can induce sleepiness and beneficially help sleep cycles. This can help those suffering from fibromyalgia get a better night sleep.
Another way that CBD can improve sleep is its ability to combat anxiety as an anti-anxiety. CBD creates a calming sensation that can allow your mind to rest. This ability to reduce the anxiety that many that have chronic pain have can be extremely beneficial to increasing healthy sleep for those suffering from fibromyalgia.
How To Take CBD
CBD can be taken in several different ways that each have different positives for someone suffering from fibromyalgia. Let’s look at the various ways you can take CBD.
CBD Oil
A CBD oil is taken sublingually, meaning that you place drops underneath of your tongue and let them sit there for 30 to 90 seconds. The CBD is absorbed in the glands in your mouth. The benefit of taking CBD this way is that it doesn’t have to process through your digestive system. This method allows for it to begin to work in your body within about 30 minutes. When you take CBD this way it will last in your system for 4 to 6 hours, which gives you a longer duration in your body to provide good coverage for pain and inflammation associated with fibromyalgia.
CBD Edible
CBD can be taken as an edible that is often in a gummy form. The gummies are infused with CBD and you ingest them orally to help with fibromyalgia. When you take CBD this way it is absorbed in the body through the digestive system. When CBD is taken this way, it can take up to an hour or more to process in your system. When CBD is ingested as an edible it can last in your body for anywhere between 6 to 8 hours. When you ingest CBD there is some breakdown of the CBD when it goes through the digestive system and your liver. One way to increase the effectiveness of taking CBD this way is to take it with some food.
CBD Inhalation
CBD can also be inhaled by vaporizing or through smokable hemp flower for fibromyalgia as well. A vaporizer heats CBD just enough to release its active compounds. During vaporization or smoking, it enters your lungs and diffuses directly into your bloodstream. Because it does not have to make its way through the digestive system or liver, the CBD enters your circulation faster. Also, less CBD is lost during vaporizing compared to the ingestion method. Vaporizing is typically a consumption option recommended for adults.
Topical Applications
Some CBD products are designed to be applied directly onto the skin. The active ingredients in these topical products are absorbed through the skin so that they can interact with cells that are nearby the surface without ever entering the bloodstream. Topical CBD oil products are ideal for those looking for isolated pain relief or to address skin conditions because they can be applied directly to where they are needed most.
CBD For Fibromyalgia Takeaways
Early studies and anecdotal evidence from patients are promising and indicate that CBD may reduce pain and inflammation, support healthy sleep, and improve mood for those with fibromyalgia. As with any product it is always important to make sure that you are getting top quality. At your local CBD store make sure that the products are all-natural, and that there are third-party lab tests to demonstrate the quality and consistency of the product. This is your body, and you want to make sure you are putting nothing but the best inside of it.
