Nearly Half of Fibromyalgia Patients at Mayo Clinic Had Used Cannabis for Symptoms

Of 1,336 fibromyalgia patients, 49.5% (661) reported cannabis use since diagnosis. Among cannabis users, 98.9% used it for pain, 96.2% for fatigue, 93.9% for stress/anxiety/depression, and 93.6% for insomnia. Pain improvement was reported by 82% of cannabis users. Most also reported improvements in stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia symptoms.

Cross-sectional electronic survey conducted at Mayo Clinic Rochester Integrative Medicine among 5,234 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Survey constructed using the Symptom Management Theory framework. 1,336 (25.5%) responded and met inclusion criteria.

Fibromyalgia is notoriously difficult to treat, and patients often seek alternative therapies. This survey from a major academic medical center shows that cannabis use is already widespread among fibromyalgia patients, and most report benefit, creating an urgent need for providers to be knowledgeable about cannabis.

This is a Mayo Clinic study, lending institutional credibility to the finding that nearly half of fibromyalgia patients are using cannabis. The near-universal use for multiple symptoms (pain, fatigue, mood, sleep) reflects how fibromyalgia patients seek multi-symptom relief.

25.5% response rate introduces selection bias; cannabis users may have been more motivated to respond. Self-reported improvement is not validated against objective measures. No control group or dose information. Patients were from an integrative medicine clinic, which may attract more cannabis-open patients.