Study: cannabis is effective in treating fibromyalgia symptoms

Cannabis treatments alleviate the symptoms of fibromyalgia and are associated with a reduction in medication use, according to clinical data from a study published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology.

According to the Fibromyalgie France association, fibromyalgia affects between 2 and 5% of the French population.

Israeli researchers sought to determine whether inhaling cannabis was safe and effective in a cohort of 26 patients with fibromyalgia. Their conclusion is that medical cannabis treatment «is associated with significant favorable outcomes on every measure assessed,» such as reduced pain and increased energy.

Most patients also reduced their use of more conventional medications, such as opioids or benzodiazepines, during the clinical trial. Nearly half of the participants (46.1%) reduced their medication use by more than 50%. Several patients were able to return to work following the introduction of their cannabis therapy.

The researchers conclude that «medical cannabis treatment had a significant positive effect on patients with fibromyalgia, with few side effects.»

Other previous studies Studies evaluating the effect of cannabis on fibromyalgia had already demonstrated its effectiveness in patients. In 2017, the Netherlands launched its own study to validate the use of Bedrocan cannabis for fibromyalgia.