"The use of medical cannabis in the treatment of fibromyalgia."

Abstract

Introduction: Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive dysfunction. Women are predominantly affected, and the symptoms significantly impair quality of life. Currently, available treatments are limited, offering only partial relief and associated with relevant side effects. As a result, there is growing interest in alternative therapies, such as medicinal cannabis, particularly cannabidiol (CBD). Methods: This study conducted an integrative literature review based on publications from the last five years to evaluate the effects of CBD in managing fibromyalgia. Results: Thirteen studies were qualitatively analyzed, selected from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO databases, applying strict inclusion criteria. The main outcomes evaluated included pain intensity, sleep quality, fatigue, mental health, and adverse effects. Most studies reported significant improvements in these parameters, along with frequent reports of patients substituting opioids and other conventional analgesics with CBD, indicating a potential role in reducing polypharmacy. Reported adverse effects were generally mild, such as dry mouth and fatigue, and did not lead to treatment discontinuation. Patients with prior cannabis use tended to show better therapeutic responses. Conclusion: Although the findings indicate the efficacy and good tolerability of CBD, especially in refractory cases, the authors highlight the need for more robust randomized clinical trials.

Keywords: fibromyalgia, cannabidiol, medical cannabis, chronic pain, quality of life.