Low-dose medical cannabis as a tea reduced fibromyalgia pain from 8 to 4 on a 10-point scale over 6 months | Research

The takeaway

In a pilot study of 30 fibromyalgia patients, 6 months of low-dose cannabis decoction (100 mg/day Bedrocan tea) reduced median pain from 8 to 4 on a 10-point scale, with significant improvements in physical and mental health quality of life.

Pain management specialists considering medical cannabis for fibromyalgia; rheumatologists seeking alternative therapies for treatment-resistant patients.

Pain dropped 50% from 8 to 4 on 10-point scale over 6 months

What the researchers found

Pain intensity (NRS) decreased from a median of 8 (95% CI 7.66-8.54) at baseline to 4 (95% CI 3.28-4.79) after 6 months. Physical health improved in 96.67% of patients, and mental health improved in 82.33%. The systematic review component identified 10 clinical trials of cannabis for fibromyalgia, generally supporting potential benefit.

Why it matters

The decoction (tea) delivery method is notable because it provides a non-smoked, low-dose option that may be more acceptable to patients and clinicians. The 50% pain reduction is clinically meaningful even without a control group.

The numbers in context

30 patients. 100 mg/day Bedrocan as decoction. NRS pain: 8 to 4 (50% reduction). Physical improvement: 96.67% (95% CI 44.11-51.13 SF-12). Mental improvement: 82.33% (95% CI 53.48-58.69 SF-12). 10 clinical trials found in systematic review.

How the study worked

Pilot study at San Carlo Hospital, Potenza, Italy. 30 fibromyalgia patients received 100 mg/day Bedrocan (standardized cannabis) as a decoction (tea) for 6 months. NRS pain scale and SF-12 quality-of-life questionnaire at baseline and 6 months. Accompanied by a systematic review of 10 trials.

What this study cannot tell us

No control group or blinding. Small sample. Single-site. 6-month follow-up only. Decoction preparation may vary in cannabinoid extraction efficiency. Cannot separate pharmacological effects from placebo or therapeutic relationship effects.

How to read the evidence

Single-arm pilot study without control group. Clinically meaningful results but cannot establish efficacy without blinded comparison.

When this study was published

2024 study

The bigger picture

Fibromyalgia is notoriously difficult to treat, and many patients do not respond to conventional pharmacotherapy. Even with the limitations of an uncontrolled pilot, a 50% pain reduction with good tolerability is notable for this patient population.

Questions still open

Would a randomized controlled trial confirm these benefits? Is the decoction method delivering consistent cannabinoid doses?

Common questions

What is a cannabis decoction?

A tea-like preparation made by simmering cannabis in water, sometimes with a fat source to improve cannabinoid extraction. It provides a non-smoked, oral route of administration with slower onset than inhalation.

Is 100 mg/day a low dose?

The 100 mg refers to the total cannabis material (Bedrocan), not pure THC. Bedrocan contains approximately 22% THC, so actual THC intake would depend on extraction efficiency in the decoction, likely much lower than 22 mg.

Read the original research

Is a Low Dosage of Medical Cannabis Effective for Treating Pain Related to Fibromyalgia? A Pilot Study and Systematic Review.

Journal of clinical medicine, 13(14)

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Giardina, Antonio; Palmieri, Rocco; Ponticelli, Maria; Antonelli, Carlo; Carlucci, Vittorio; Colangelo, Monica; Benedetto, Nadia; Di Fazio, Aldo; Milella, Luigi. (2024). Is a Low Dosage of Medical Cannabis Effective for Treating Pain Related to Fibromyalgia? A Pilot Study and Systematic Review.. Journal of clinical medicine, 13(14). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13144088