How can CBD help Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia (FM) is defined simply as chronic, widespread muscle tenderness and pain. It is a common disorder impacting more than 3 million Americans a year. This disorder affects more women than men, and can happen to anyone of any age. Just as with many pain disorders, symptoms can vary in type and intensity from person to person or even day to day. There are have been various studies done on the relationship between cannabis and FM symptoms. One study of FM patients done by J. Fiz, et al. measured measured pain, stiffness, relaxation, and well being in 28 cannabis user and 28 non-cannabis users. The results found that after 2 hours of cannabis use, the users showed a statistically significant reduction of stiffness and pain, increased relaxation, and an increase feeling of well being. The conclusion of this study was that cannabis was associated with beneficial effects on some FM symptoms. It is not clear how much of the effects are due to THC versus CBD. Dr. Ethan Russo, one of the founding fathers of medical cannabis research, has postulated that FM is due to a deficiency of the body’s endocannabinoids. Just like depression is due to a deficiency of the body’s serotonin. Since CBD enhances the level of natural endocannabinoids in the brain and body, this treats the deficiency and reduces the body’s response to painful stimuli. The elevated levels of natural cannabinoids also results in improved sleep and mood, both issues associated with FM. Since FM is often accompanied by specific areas of the body that are very painful, both CBD oil taken orally, and topically applied CBD should be used.
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Leinow, Leonard; Birnbaum, Juliana. CBD: A Patient's Guide to Medicinal Cannabis--Healing without the High (p. 164). North Atlantic Books. Kindle Edition.
Buying Guide
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What questions to ask when deciding on a CBD Oil
1. HOW IS THE OIL EXTRACTED?
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✓ Subcritical Co2 Extraction - most expensive, non-toxic, extremely efficient, ensures highly potent, pure extract.
X Liquid Solvents (butane, isopropyl alcohol, hexane, ethanol), most common method, simple and inexpensive, plant is soaked and heated, commonly used for vape products, destroys beneficial plant waxes, often bitter taste, can leave traces of impurities in the finished oil.
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X Olive Oil - simple and inexpensive, heated for extended amount of time, oil cannot be concentrated using this method so a large quantity is required for medicinal benefits, highly perishable, should be stored in cold, dark place.
2. IS IT ORGANICALLY CERTIFIED ?
✓ No CBD product can officially be certified organic. However, the hemp is grown in organic soil and tests free of all heavy metals, mold, chemicals and pesticides.
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3. IS THE ENTIRE PLANT USED?
✓ Whole Plant/Full Spectrum - taken from the flowers, stem, stalks and leaves, this means ALL the available cannabinoids within the plant are present, the way nature intended. When all the cannabinoids work together, you experience the beneficial 'entourage' effect, working synergistically to provide the most beneficial properties. This is why the blend has numerous cannabinoids, CBD, CBDV, CBN, and CBD and not just CBD. This is also why ‘The Blend’ contains over 60 medical terpenes!
X Isolate - compounds are extracted and/or separated from each other, it does have anti-inflammatory benefits, but does not have the medicinal quality and value of a full spectrum oil, often marketed as '99% pure CBD. A lot of isolate is making its way into North America via China and can be synthetic. Isolate is heavily processed as it is the third and final step in an extraction process.
4. WHAT CARRIER OIL IS USED?
✓ Hemp seed oil is the carrier oil, using and encompassing the entire plant. When using all aspects of the plant, this increases the synergy. Hemp seed oil is derived from the seed and has nutritional benefits.
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5. WHY ARE TERPENES IMPORTANT?
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✓ Terpenes are a crucial part of the plant, they are just as powerful at delivering properties as cannabinoids. Click here to read about the benefits of terpenes and the terpenes found in ‘The Blend’.
X No terpenes = Not a full spectrum plant.