Medical cannabis may reduce pain levels in fibromyalgia patients – study

A new study on patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases, reports a reduction in pain levels following medical cannabis use.

The study revealed patients experienced reduced levels of pain and better sleep quality following their use of medical cannabis products.

The study surveyed 319 patients about their use of medical cannabis products. Those with fibromyalgia accounting for 82 percent of the group, reported a mean pain level reduction of 77 percent. They also reported sleep quality improvement of 78 percent.

The researchers noted the demographic and clinical parameters before documenting the type of cannabis consumed, the method of consumption and the amount.

Other pain conditions enrolled in the study included rheumatoid arthritis patients and those experiencing diabetic neuropathy. The group included 14 with mechanical back pain, eight with physical injuries, seven with rheumatoid arthritis, and seven with diabetic neuropathy. All groups recorded potentially significant levels of improvement in their symptoms.

Pain level reduction

According to the results, the THC concentration, duration of consumption, and dose had potentially significant effects on pain reduction. Only the duration of consumption had an independent significant effect on sleep quality improvement.

The data was published in the journal Pain Research and Management.

The authors wrote: “Medical cannabis (MC) has a favourable effect on pain level and sleep quality among nearly the entire spectrum of resistant ‘chronic pain syndromes’ seen or referred to rheumatology clinics, including inflammatory diseases resistant to biological treatment.”

“Cannabis should be seriously considered in every ‘chronic pain condition’ whenever the accepted modalities of treatment are insufficient for alleviating patient’s pain and sleep problems.”

Read more: What is fibromyalgia and can medical cannabis help?