All 26 fibromyalgia patients improved on every measure after starting medical cannabis, with half stopping other medications
A small Israeli study of 26 fibromyalgia patients found that all reported significant improvement on every Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire parameter after starting medical cannabis, with 50% discontinuing all other fibromyalgia medications.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Researchers collected data from registries at two Israeli hospitals on fibromyalgia patients treated with medical cannabis.
Of 30 identified patients, 26 were included. All completed the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire for the period before and after starting medical cannabis treatment.
Every patient reported significant improvement on every parameter of the questionnaire after commencing medical cannabis. The mean dosage was 26 grams per month with an average treatment duration of 10.4 months.
Remarkably, 13 patients (50%) stopped taking all other fibromyalgia medications after starting medical cannabis. Only 8 patients (30%) experienced adverse effects, described as very mild.
Key Numbers
26 patients (73% female, mean age 37.8). Mean dose 26g/month. Mean duration 10.4 months. 100% improvement on all questionnaire parameters. 50% stopped all other medications. 30% had mild adverse effects.
How They Did This
Retrospective observational study of 26 fibromyalgia patients (73% female, mean age 37.8) from registries at two Israeli hospitals. Patients completed the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire for pre- and post-medical cannabis periods. Mean cannabis dose 26g/month, mean treatment duration 10.4 months.
Why This Research Matters
While small and uncontrolled, the finding that 50% of patients could stop all other medications is clinically notable. Fibromyalgia medications often carry significant side effect burdens, and if cannabis can serve as a replacement therapy for some patients, this warrants investigation in controlled trials.
The Bigger Picture
This study adds to a pattern of small observational studies showing dramatic patient-reported improvement with medical cannabis for fibromyalgia. The consistency of this finding across studies strengthens the case for properly controlled trials, which remain scarce.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small sample (26 patients) with no control group. Retrospective questionnaire comparing recalled pre-treatment status to current status introduces recall bias. No blinding or placebo control. Hospital registry patients may not represent all fibromyalgia patients. The 100% improvement rate is unusual and may reflect selection or reporting biases.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would a placebo-controlled trial replicate these results?
- ?Which fibromyalgia symptoms respond most to medical cannabis?
- ?What is the optimal dose and formulation for fibromyalgia?
- ?Can the medication-stopping finding be replicated safely?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 100% improved on all measures; 50% stopped all other medications
- Evidence Grade:
- Very small uncontrolled observational study provides preliminary evidence, with results that require confirmation in randomized controlled trials.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2018. Controlled trials of cannabis for fibromyalgia have begun to emerge since.
- Original Title:
- Medical Cannabis for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia.
- Published In:
- Journal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases, 24(5), 255-258 (2018)
- Authors:
- Habib, George(5), Artul, Suheil(2)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01673
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Did medical cannabis help all fibromyalgia patients?
In this small study of 26 patients, yes, all reported significant improvement. However, the lack of a control group and the retrospective design mean these results may be influenced by placebo effects and recall bias.
Could patients stop their other medications?
Half (50%) of the patients stopped taking all other fibromyalgia medications after starting medical cannabis. Only 30% experienced adverse effects, and those were described as very mild.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01673APA
Habib, George; Artul, Suheil. (2018). Medical Cannabis for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia.. Journal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases, 24(5), 255-258. https://doi.org/10.1097/RHU.0000000000000702
MLA
Habib, George, et al. "Medical Cannabis for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia.." Journal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1097/RHU.0000000000000702
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Medical Cannabis for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia." RTHC-01673. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/habib-2018-medical-cannabis-for-the
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.