{"id":5036,"date":"2018-10-09T23:29:00","date_gmt":"2018-10-09T23:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/?p=5036"},"modified":"2026-04-02T19:09:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T02:09:18","slug":"cannabis-and-fibromyalgia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/cannabis-and-fibromyalgia\/","title":{"rendered":"Patient Condition Guide: Cannabis and Fibromyalgia"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">You wince in pain when a light breeze hits your neck or the fabric from loose clothing brushes against your leg. No matter how much you sleep, you wake up <a href=\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/medical-marijuana-and-insomnia\/\">feeling exhausted<\/a> \u2013 sometimes your skin feels like it\u2019s sunburned and other times you feel a deep, debilitating ache that makes the smallest tasks an impossible feat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"> This is fibromyalgia. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Individuals living with it know all too well how life altering this condition can be. If your doctor has diagnosed you or someone you know with fibromyalgia, you should learn more about this condition and whether cannabis can help.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container-fluid contents-list\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-8 col-md-offset-2\">\n<div class=\"dk-content\">\n<h2>Here's what you'll learn in this article:<\/h2>\n<p class=\"description\">[Click any of the section titles below to jump there]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=' _mPS2id-h mPS2id-highlight _ps2id' href='#1' data-ps2id-offset=''>What Is Fibromyalgia?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=' _mPS2id-h mPS2id-highlight _ps2id' href='#2' data-ps2id-offset=''>What Causes Fibromyalgia?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=' _mPS2id-h mPS2id-highlight _ps2id' href='#3' data-ps2id-offset=''>How Is Fibromyalgia Treated?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=' _mPS2id-h mPS2id-highlight _ps2id' href='#4' data-ps2id-offset=''>Which States Allow Cannabis for Fibromyalgia Treatment?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=' _mPS2id-h mPS2id-highlight _ps2id' href='#5' data-ps2id-offset=''>Current Research on Cannabis and Fibromyalgia<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=' _mPS2id-h mPS2id-highlight _ps2id' href='#6' data-ps2id-offset=''>How Can I Find the Best Cannabis to Meet My Needs?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"content\" id=\"content-container\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-8 col-md-offset-2\">\n<div class=\"dk-content\">\n<h2 id=\"1\"><strong>What Is Fibromyalgia?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Fibromyalgia affects the brain&#8217;s reaction to nerve signals that indicate pain. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">People experience<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"> lasting, widespread pain, especially in the muscles, tendons and joints. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">That pain can also cause fatigue, trouble sleeping, difficulty remembering certain things, and problems with mood stability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">While people with fibromyalgia may experience pain differently, the most <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/fibromyalgia.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">common reports of pain<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"> include increased sensitivity in the neck and shoulders, arms, back, hips and various points along the legs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"2\"><strong>What Causes Fibromyalgia?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Fibromyalgia often sets in after severe distress on the body, including psychological trauma, but the exact cause is currently unknown. Prolonged stress and tension are thought to play a role, as symptoms typically set in after distress has set off other physical reactions to ongoing stress.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">However, other people develop fibromyalgia after a severe illness or infection. Still, there are others who develop this condition without any apparent traumatic cause.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Fibromyalgia <strong>might be hereditary<\/strong>, but further genetic research is ongoing. Studies also suggest that women may be more likely to develop it than men, especially during the middle-age years. Still, this condition can affect anyone at just about any life stage. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Individuals with existing osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or ankylosing spondylitis (a form of arthritis that affects the spine) may have<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">\u00a0a higher risk<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"> of developing fibromyalgia, though it&#8217;s not considered an autoimmune or inflammation-centric condition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">If the doctor believes you may have fibromyalgia, he or she will perform several tests to check and rule out other conditions. He or she will ask about is whether you\u2019ve experienced widespread pain that has persisted for at least three months. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Your doctor may also order one or more <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/fibromyalgia\/diagnosis-treatment\/drc-20354785\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blood tests<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"> to make sure you don&#8217;t have another condition with overlapping symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"3\"><strong>How Is Fibromyalgia Treated?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">There&#8217;s <strong>no cure for fibromyalgia<\/strong>, but your doctor may recommend certain medications to help manage the symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/4832-fibromyalgia\/management-and-treatment\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medications<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"> frequently recommended to fibromyalgia patients include pain medications (over-the-counter like acetaminophen and prescription non-narcotic pain relievers), antidepressants, and sleep aids.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">In addition to over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceuticals, some sufferers also turn to cannabis to manage some of their symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Shifting focus to the practical implementation challenges, the financial investment in proper containment technology often raises concerns among decision-makers unfamiliar with the long-term value proposition. When I first proposed upgrading our compounding area, the initial cost estimate seemed substantial, and leadership questioned whether the expenditure was truly necessary. I directed them to review detailed specifications and compliance information at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.germfree.com\/equipment\/compounding-aseptic-containment-isolator\/\">https:\/\/www.germfree.com\/equipment\/compounding-aseptic-containment-isolator\/<\/a> to understand the comprehensive protection these systems provide. After examining the technical documentation, they recognized that investing in proper equipment now would prevent far costlier problems later\u2014including potential staff exposure incidents, regulatory penalties, product recalls, and reputational damage. The decision shifted from &#8220;can we afford this&#8221; to &#8220;can we afford not to do this,&#8221; especially considering the liability implications of inadequate hazardous drug handling procedures.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"4\"><strong>Which States Allow Cannabis for Fibromyalgia Treatment?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Though a number of states allow doctors to recommend medical cannabis for <a href=\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/cannabis-and-chronic-pain\/\">chronic pain<\/a> symptoms, only a handful explicitly consider fibromyalgia to be a qualifying condition.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This includes the following <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">states<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arkansas<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connecticut<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Illinois<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Dakota<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ohio<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">If you live in one of these five and your doctor has diagnosed you with fibromyalgia, you may be eligible for medical cannabis \u2013 but you&#8217;ll first need a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/new\/doctor-request\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">written recommendation.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">You may also be eligible if you&#8217;ve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and live in a state that considers chronic pain to be a qualifying condition. Talk to your doctor about using cannabis as a part of your ongoing fibromyalgia treatment plan and discover if it&#8217;s\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">right for you. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"5\"><strong>Current Research on Cannabis and Fibromyalgia<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Relieving pain, coping with stress and sleeping well are important for fibromyalgia patients as <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">these factors<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"> tend compliment fatigue, cognitive struggles, anxiety and depression.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Though the medical community remains divided on cannabis&#8217; medical efficacy, several select studies offer optimistic results. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cochranelibrary.com\/cdsr\/doi\/10.1002\/14651858.CD011694\/information\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2016 report by German researchers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"> suggests that <strong>naturally occurring cannabinoids found in cannabis may help fibromyalgia patients cope with pain, inflammation and stress<\/strong>. This is an important consideration, as some medical experts believe prolonged stress may contribute to developing fibromyalgia in some individuals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Studies also suggest that <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cannabis may be able to help fibromyalgia patients<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"> experience less stiffness, better sleep, and a general improvement in well being.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Periods of relaxation appear to be an <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">important<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">\u00a0component to manage overall wellness and improve flaring up symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/the-eye.eu\/public\/Psychedelics\/Psychedelic%20Praxis%20Library%203.0\/Collections%20by%20Substance\/Cannabis%20%26%20Cannabinoids\/2018%20-%20Medical%20Cannabis%20for%20the%20Treatment%20of%20Fibromyalgia.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"> that tracked cannabis use across a sample pool of 26 fibromyalgia patients found <strong>all participants experienced significant improvements in symptom management and overall quality of life.<\/strong>\u00a0Half of the participants stopped taking their prescribed pharmaceutical medications altogether due cannabis&#8217; relief.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"> However, further large-scale clinical studies are required.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"6\"><strong>How Can I Find the Best Cannabis to Meet My Needs?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">If your state considers fibromyalgia or its symptoms to be a qualifying condition and your doctor has recommended it, Nugg can help with the rest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"> Our specialized <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/concierge\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cannabis Concierge service<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"> can share their extensive knowledge with you to help choose the cannabis products that are right for you. These experts can even help locate dispensaries in your area! Let us help find the relief you need today!<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"><i>Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only. While the content is accurate and true to the best of our knowledge, the author is not a medical professional. There may be omissions, errors, and mistakes. Never solely rely on the information in this or any post on our site or affiliated sites for medical advice. This post does not create a physician\/patient relationship with any of Nugg or NuggMD&#8217;s affiliated staff or physicians.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You wince in pain when a light breeze hits your neck or the fabric from loose clothing brushes against your leg. No matter how much you sleep, you wake up feeling exhausted \u2013 sometimes your skin feels like it\u2019s sunburned and other times you feel a deep, debilitating ache that makes the smallest tasks an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":5799,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,1103,1102,1085,965],"tags":[9,556,1229,166],"class_list":["post-5036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cannabis","category-health-wellness","category-medical-conditions","category-medical-marijuana","category-new-patient-guides","tag-cannabis","tag-chronic-pain","tag-fibromyalgia","tag-pain"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5036"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5036"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5036\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":316859,"href":"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5036\/revisions\/316859"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5799"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5036"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}