About a third of people with fibromyalgia currently use CBD, mostly for pain, and most report improvement | Research

The takeaway

In a survey of 2,701 fibromyalgia patients, 32.4% currently used CBD, primarily for pain, and generally reported slight to much improvement across symptom domains.

Fibromyalgia patients considering CBD, clinicians treating fibromyalgia, CBD researchers

32.4% of fibromyalgia patients currently use CBD, primarily for pain

What the researchers found

Among 2,701 fibromyalgia patients, 32.4% currently used CBD and 29.4% had used it previously. Users reported improvements across multiple symptom domains, most commonly pain. About half reported minor side effects. Two-thirds disclosed CBD use to their physician but only 33% asked for physician advice.

Why it matters

With nearly a third of fibromyalgia patients using CBD despite limited evidence, this represents a massive uncontrolled experiment. Understanding use patterns can help guide future clinical research priorities.

The numbers in context

2,701 participants; 38.1% never used CBD; 29.4% past use; 32.4% current use; two-thirds disclosed to physician; only 33% sought physician advice; about half reported minor side effects

How the study worked

Cross-sectional anonymous survey of 2,701 individuals with fibromyalgia, primarily in the United States, examining CBD use patterns, reasons for use/discontinuation, physician communication, and perceived effectiveness.

What this study cannot tell us

Self-selected survey population likely overrepresents those interested in CBD, cross-sectional design, self-reported improvement without objective measures, predominantly U.S. respondents.

How to read the evidence

Large survey with self-selected population and self-reported outcomes

When this study was published

Published in 2021. Clinical trials of CBD specifically for fibromyalgia remain limited.

The bigger picture

The disconnect between widespread CBD use and limited clinical evidence for fibromyalgia reflects a broader pattern where consumer adoption of cannabinoid products far outpaces the research needed to guide safe use.

Questions still open

What distinguishes people who continue CBD use from those who stop? Why do only a third of CBD users seek physician advice? Would standardized CBD products show efficacy in a clinical trial for fibromyalgia?

Common questions

How many fibromyalgia patients use CBD?

In this survey of 2,701 patients, 32.4% currently used CBD and another 29.4% had used it in the past. Most used CBD for pain and reported at least slight improvement.

Do fibromyalgia patients discuss CBD with their doctors?

Two-thirds of CBD users disclosed their use to their physician, but only 33% actually sought physician advice on using CBD. Those not using CBD most commonly cited safety concerns as their reason.

Read the original research

Cannabidiol Use for Fibromyalgia: Prevalence of Use and Perceptions of Effectiveness in a Large Online Survey.

The journal of pain, 22(5), 556-566

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Boehnke, Kevin F; Gagnier, Joel J; Matallana, Lynne; Williams, David A. (2021). Cannabidiol Use for Fibromyalgia: Prevalence of Use and Perceptions of Effectiveness in a Large Online Survey.. The journal of pain, 22(5), 556-566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2020.12.001