CBD for fibromyalgia
A story of Jordan…
Jordan was a healthy young woman in her early twenties. Although not an athlete or fitness buff, she was in good enough shape to work a 40-hour-a-week job that required heavy physical labor.
Her pain started in her arm one day: a burning sensation that ran all the way up into her chest. Her doctor diagnosed it as a muscle strain. Within a few days, her entire body either ached or felt like it was on fire. She began getting bad headaches and had insomnia, as well as the inability to concentrate or even to focus her eyes. Depression quickly set in.
After seeing several doctors, Jordan finally received a tentative diagnosis of fibromyalgia, a condition of uncertain origin that affects 2% of Americans today, about four million sufferers, and contributes to a lower quality of life.
Doctors generally prescribe many kinds of pain relievers and prescription drugs, as well as exercise, stress-management techniques, and sometimes cognitive behavioral therapy.
A natural way dial back the pain
However, many of those who suffer from the painful chronic condition of fibromyalgia find relief through medical marijuana or hemp-derived products such as cannabidiol, aka CBD — available in topical creams, balms, and oil — which are natural therapeutic alternatives to prescription medications.
Hemp and its derivatives are becoming more widely used and accepted for medical purposes. CBD flower in particular is becoming very popular as an alternative to medications that treat insomnia, pain and anxiety.
Although state laws strictly govern the sale of cannabis derived products, hemp derived products are federally legal as long as they only contain .3% or less THC.
This is our guide to best CBD strains for fibromyalgia!
Learn about CBD oil for migraines here
Symptoms of fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia sufferers’ symptoms include nerve pain, muscle spasms, joint pain, headaches, and chronic pain throughout the body. This condition can affect people of any age. Many fibro patients also experience fatigue and difficulties with memory and mood.
Mentally, many people living with fibromyalgia experience symptoms such as depression and anxiety, which CBD is well known to ease. Problems with thinking and sleeping are also common. Insomnia and the inability to sleep, can lead to chronic fatigue and a lower ability to concentrate and focus on daily tasks.
Fibromyalgia is a neurological disorder that impacts the brain’s communication with pain receptors throughout the central nervous system. Often, doctors cannot pinpoint any identifiable source event that causes fibromyalgia, and it can emerge at any point during a person’s life. Depending on the severity, the discomfort can be chronic.
Medical cannabis, such as cannabis edibles, CBD oil, or smokable flower, can alleviate these persistent symptoms fibro sufferers experience. Treatment of the chronic pain with various cannabis strains can prevent people from needing harsher manufactured prescription drugs.
Medical cannabis: CBD vs. THC
Patients often use cannabis to help with insomnia, stress, depression, body pain, and other symptoms of fibromyalgia. Cannabis compounds useful for addressing the pain of fibromyalgia are THC and CBD. Although chemically, these two are very similar, the effects are not the same.
THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol, is what people typically think of as medical marijuana. Medical marijuana containing THC is legal in many Us states; however, not everybody enjoys the sensation of getting high or of smoking marijuana. High-THC levels can create sensations of an intense body high or mind high, while low THC levels will often lead to more gentle and calming psychoactive effects.
CBD, or cannabidiol, derives from the hemp plant which needs to contain less than or equal to 0.3 percent of THC.
Many people find that the THC levels in cannabis has gotten far too high, essentially causing you to get too stoned to perform daily chores. Smoking CBD or mixing CBD flower with THC flower is a great alternative for getting the pain relieving effects without the debilitating high. Start with a 1:1 blend of CBD and THC then experiment to find your best CBD ratio for fibromyalgia.
Effects of CBD for Symptom Management
The painkilling effects of CBD on fibromyalgia allow many individuals to enjoy their day without agonizing and struggling with symptoms. Individuals who experience fibromyalgia pain and overall discomfort need solutions that are easy to use throughout the day. For muscle or knee pain and suffering joints, CBD users can eat, smoke, or rub the products on the skin’s surface to provide relief.
Many patients experience mild-to-strong effects depending on the strains chosen and the level of CBD in their content. Most patients describe CBD as relaxing and calming without creating a high or causing mind fog or confusion. It can melt away anxiety and bring on a cozy, sleepy feeling.
More about CBD as a nootropic here
For body pain, the effects are similar to mild painkillers in that the undesirable aches fade away. Each individual’s anatomy can have a different experience with different types of cannabis medication; therefore, it’s good to try several kinds to see what works best for your particular body.
What strain of CBD is best for fibromyalgia?
Several high-CBD strains are suitable for fibromyalgia patients; however, you won’t find any single-best-CBD flower for pain. Pain-killing effects of CBD strains for fibromyalgia depends on an individual’s tolerance levels, preferences, CBD content, and fibromyalgia symptoms.
Try many different strains to learn what will work best for you. Buying from vendors that offer CBD flower sample menus is a great way to try different strains without breaking the bank.
Monitoring side effects and researching strain reviews online can help lead you down the path of discovering the best pain-relieving strains for your personal symptoms. You can usually find strain data on the packaging labels at dispensaries or online on the store’s websites. Be sure to read product descriptions before purchasing to get a good idea of whether it could fit your needs.
1. Special Sauce
Known for its unique terpene profile and flavorful berry aroma with hints of citrus, this tasty strain will leave you feeling relaxed and calm. Special Sauce is an Indica-dominant hybrid, which makes it perfect to use for nighttime discomfort management. This strain has high levels of CBD with additional cannabinoids for powerful healing. For a similar Sativa-dominant strain, try Blue Dream.
Special Sauce is one of the best CBD strains for unwinding and preparing for a restful, discomfort-free evening. Fibromyalgia patients can benefit from the alleviation that Special Sauce provides for inflammation and general body discomfort. When you’re ready for bed, drift off to sleep easily into the soothing experience of this popular high-CBD strain.
2. White CBG
One of the best CBG strains for pain relief is White CBG. This particular strain–CBG stands for Cannabigerol, one of the minor compounds derived from cannabis — has near-zero effects of THC and delivers a buttery and earthy fragrance. White CBG offers a pleasant therapy for your body, bringing a soft sensation of ease and releasing the tension within your muscles. Let your neck, shoulders, and limbs relax as the smooth wave of relief flows through you.
With ultra-low THC content, White CBG little to no risk for unwanted mental effects. This could also be a good choice for fibromyalgia workers worried about tetrahydrocannabinol being detected on random drug tests from their employers.
This plant has a frosty appearance and silvery or white coloring, which is the reason for its name, White CBG. It has a very low-key scent, which is preferable for those who desire to stay discreet. Take a deep breath, and you’ll be able to detect gentle aromas of lemongrass and pine.
3. Magic Bullet
On the more unusual side is Magic Bullet, one of the pain-relieving CBD strains that features a taste of grapes with earthy undertones. When the sun sets, call it a day with this sleepytime smoke. Easily clear your mind and the stress built up from the day. Let your symptoms fade away with each delightful hit.
Magic Bullet is a true dissolver of discomfort. Working throughout the body to ease tension, it can lessen unpleasant sensations in troubled areas. It also has the ability to help relieve the mind of stressful thoughts and provide a comforting state of mental calm.
4. Remedy
If you like a more subtle feel, then Remedy is the perfect choice among the high-CBD strains (Indica-dominant) for the job. If you’re feeling nerve pain, this strain can gently melt away the aches and stress of the day. Softer in its approach, use Remedy to treat delicate mental symptoms like depression and anxiety, which can often accompany fibromyalgia conditions.
The Remedy strain is a crossbreed which often means that the best aspects from multiple strains become selected and combined. For someone who isn’t looking for a potent or overpowering medication for fibromyalgia, Remedy might be just the thing. The effects are more mild-mannered, which makes it an excellent choice for daytime use.
Individuals who need to use CBD during working hours might consider using this strain for its subtle and ultra-gentle effects. Some high-level strains may leave the user feeling too sleepy to focus on work, while more mild options such as remedy are less sedative.
5. Bubba Kush
Scents of coffee, chocolate, and coconut dominate the flavor profile for Bubba Kush. Light and woody notes give it an earthy feel that makes it a classic smoke. Among the more popular Indica strains for fibromyalgia, it lives up o its reputation for effective pain relief. This variety of CBD flower hits quickly as the effects can be felt within minutes for quick relaxation.
An interesting fact about Bubba Kush is its long lineage. It is thought that this strain goes all the way back to the 90s and derives its name from the original grower, Bubba! His legacy lives on today through the individuals who benefit from this ultra pain-relieving strain.
When work is done, kick off your shoes and prepare to relax with Bubba Kush. Among the best CBD and cannabis strains for fibromyalgia, you can kiss your pain and anguish goodbye.