Among 148 UK fibromyalgia patients prescribed cannabis products, improvements in anxiety, sleep, symptom severity, and quality of life were observed across all formulations over 12 months.
rheumatologists, pain clinicians, fibromyalgia patients, medical cannabis prescribers
What the researchers found
Improvements in GAD-7, sleep quality, fibromyalgia symptom severity, and EQ-5D-5L scores were observed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months compared to baseline (all p<0.050). No differences were found between oils, dried flower, or combination formulations. 24.32% experienced adverse events (648 total), more likely in cannabis-naive patients.
Why it matters
By using a homogeneous set of cannabis products from a single manufacturer, this study reduces product variability that confounds many cannabis studies. The finding that formulation type did not matter simplifies treatment decisions.
The numbers in context
148 patients. Oils: 52%, flower: 9.5%, both: 38.5%. All formulations improved: GAD-7, sleep, symptom severity, quality of life (all p<0.050). 36 patients (24.3%) reported 648 adverse events. Cannabis-naive patients had more AEs.
How the study worked
Cohort study of 148 fibromyalgia patients from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry prescribed Adven products (oils n=77, dried flower n=14, both n=57). Patient-reported outcomes collected at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.
What this study cannot tell us
No control group or blinding. Registry data with potential selection bias. Dried flower group very small (n=14). Patient-reported outcomes only. High adverse event count in affected patients. UK-specific regulatory context.
How to read the evidence
Registry cohort with standardized products and 12-month follow-up, but no control group and potential selection bias limit to moderate.
When this study was published
Data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.
The bigger picture
While encouraging, the lack of a placebo control means improvements could reflect natural symptom fluctuation, placebo effects, or regression to the mean. The high adverse event count per affected patient (averaging ~18 per affected patient) warrants attention.
Questions still open
- Would a placebo-controlled trial confirm these improvements?
- Why do cannabis-naive patients experience more adverse events?
Common questions
Does cannabis help fibromyalgia?
Does the type of cannabis product matter?
Read the original research
Comparison of Cannabis-Based Medicinal Product Formulations for Fibromyalgia: A Cohort Study.
Journal of pain & palliative care pharmacotherapy, 39(1), 24-37
Citation
Sridharan, Surya; Erridge, Simon; Holvey, Carl; Coomber, Ross; Holden, Wendy; Rucker, James J; Platt, Michael; Sodergren, Mikael H. (2025). Comparison of Cannabis-Based Medicinal Product Formulations for Fibromyalgia: A Cohort Study.. Journal of pain & palliative care pharmacotherapy, 39(1), 24-37. https://doi.org/10.1080/15360288.2024.2414073
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