For decades, since fibromyalgia began disproportionately affecting women, those who suffered from its often debilitating effects were often labeled “hysterical women.” Many doctors didn’t even recognize that it was a physical disorder and instead called women hypochondriacs. It was often called a “ psychosomatic disorder. ” Over the years, the medical community has finally recognized that it is a physical disorder, but has only speculated about the underlying causes. The typical Western treatment has consisted of three medications, none of which help the symptoms but cause numerous side effects. The three medications are Lyrica, Cymbalta, and

Of the 41 conditions included in the Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program (MCPP), fibromyalgia is the most common complaint among those who have applied for a card. Medical cannabis has been shown to reduce many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia, including pain, fatigue, sleep problems, digestive issues, and brain fog. With no relief from medications, many desperate fibromyalgia sufferers have turned to cannabis as a last resort and are ecstatic with the results. There are patients who have been so debilitated by the disease that they are unable to even get out of bed, let alone walk. Many have resumed activities they never expected to do in their lives again, such as working and exercising. It has literally been a “life saver” for many.

The question is, why does cannabis seem to work so well? The answer, according to Dr. Ethan Russo , medical director of PHYTECS, is that those with fibromyalgia suffer from Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CED). When the depleted endocannabinoid system is replenished with the necessary cannabinoids, the symptoms disappear. A similar pattern occurs with a B-vitamin deficiency, which feels much better after taking supplements. Those who have studied the endocannabinoid system (ECS) will know that its primary function is to help the body maintain homeostasis. When the body is in homeostasis, it is free from disease.

The ECS is made up of cannabinoid receptors, C1 and C2, which are found in the brain , spinal cord , nerves, stomach , and other organs. It also controls many of our physiological processes such as pain, mood, memory, and appetite. Our bodies naturally produce endocannabinoids, similar to those found in cannabis. They keep our ECS functioning well. When our endocannabinoids become depleted, we suffer from ailments and

Those who suffer from severe fibromyalgia know all too well the symptoms of their disorder. Pain is usually the worst, accompanied by debilitating fatigue. Other very common symptoms are irritable bowel syndrome and migraines. Russo is convinced that this is indicative of an ECS deficiency. He proposed his theory back in 2011. Recent research supports this theory with evidence that cannabis use reduces pain , improves sleep , and relieves gastric pain .

CED is based on the theory that there is a link between mental disorders and neurotransmitter deficiencies. Consider the lack of dopamine in Parkinson's disease and serotonin and norepinephrine in depression. The best evidence for the CED theory comes from an Italian study on migraines. The results showed reduced levels of anandamide , an endocannabinoid, in the cerebrospinal fluid of chronic migraine sufferers compared to healthy controls. The ECS regulates the transport of food through the digestive tract, as well as the release of gastric juices to break down food and inflammation. CED accounts for digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, which almost always accompanies fibromyalgia.

There is a lot of anecdotal evidence, but little research evidence to support Dr. Russo's theory that he would like to conduct randomized controlled trials to prove or disprove the existence of CED. MRI and PET scans may one day be able to identify endocannabinoid levels in patients. This would allow a comparison of endocannabinoid levels in fibromyalgia sufferers versus healthy controls. That possibility may not be so.