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

The takeaway

Among 1,336 fibromyalgia patients surveyed at Mayo Clinic, nearly half had used cannabis since diagnosis, primarily for pain, with 82% of those users reporting pain improvement.

Fibromyalgia patients, rheumatologists, pain specialists, and integrative medicine providers

82% of fibromyalgia patients using cannabis reported pain improvement

What the researchers found

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.

Why it matters

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.

The numbers in context

1,336 respondents (25.5% response rate). 49.5% used cannabis. Cannabis use reasons: pain 98.9%, fatigue 96.2%, stress/anxiety/depression 93.9%, insomnia 93.6%. Pain improvement reported by 82%. Median age 48 years. Most identified as female.

How the study worked

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.

What this study cannot tell us

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.

How to read the evidence

Large survey from a major academic center, but self-selected respondents and self-reported outcomes limit the strength of conclusions.

When this study was published

2024 study

The bigger picture

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.

Questions still open

Does cannabis actually reduce fibromyalgia pain by objective measures, or is the perceived improvement driven by mood and sleep effects? What cannabis types and doses are patients using? How does cannabis compare to approved fibromyalgia medications in head-to-head trials?

Common questions

Do fibromyalgia patients use cannabis?

According to this Mayo Clinic survey, nearly half (49.5%) of fibromyalgia patients had used cannabis since their diagnosis, primarily for pain, fatigue, and anxiety.

Does cannabis help with fibromyalgia pain?

82% of cannabis-using fibromyalgia patients in this survey reported pain improvement. However, this is self-reported and not compared to a control group.

Read the original research

A Cross-Sectional Survey Study of Cannabis Use for Fibromyalgia Symptom Management.

Mayo Clinic proceedings, 99(4), 542-550

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Singla, Abhinav; Anstine, Christopher V; Huang, Linda; Rosedahl, Jordan K; Mohabbat, Arya B; Philpot, Lindsey M. (2024). A Cross-Sectional Survey Study of Cannabis Use for Fibromyalgia Symptom Management.. Mayo Clinic proceedings, 99(4), 542-550. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2023.12.018