The Fibromyalgia Pain and Weather Connection
In a study performed by Dr. Ingrid Strusberg in Australia, the fibromyalgia-weather connection was studied through questionnaires. 151 people suffering from fibromyalgia or arthritis answered questions regarding their pain at different times throughout a one-year period.
Their results were compared against 32 adults with no known medical conditions, and it was clear that the pain experienced by the first group did correspond to outdoor temperatures.
Those with fibromyalgia were more likely to experience pain when the weather was cold and when the humidity or atmospheric pressure were high.
While many medical professionals dismiss the idea that pain can spike when temperatures drop, many people suffering from chronic pain experience this phenomenon on a routine basis.
I know for myself, and many people I have worked with over the years, that weather changes can definitely exacerbate symptoms in fibromyalgia, and its primary co-conditions.
Do most of us need a study to verify that? Not really, but it is good to know, right?
What to know about weather symptoms
Do you feel more symptoms in the head including swollen glands, migraines, or sinus pain that radiates around the face?
If you have any form of arthritis like many of us do, you might notice more joint pain.
With both fibromyalgia and arthritis, you might also notice the joints affected tend to correlate with tender areas of the fibro body, like the neck, knees, hips, and lower back.
Because people with fibromyalgia tend to have temperature dysregulation issues, you might find it more challenging to acclimate when the seasons change.
Even though these symptoms can be disruptive, we don’t want to focus on them. The best thing we can do is try not to predict that symptoms will worsen, because that is not always the case.
Weather and Brain Fog
One area of the body that is vulnerable to changing weather patterns is the brain. I just experienced this recently when it was raining, muggy and just yuck” for almost four days straight. We had many days of rain, humidity, and very cloudy skies. I found myself experiencing a lot of brain fog and memory issues.
Just like arthritis factors can be influenced by barometric pressure, so can fibromyalgia and the brain. And the other thing we all “like to hate” is the effect it can have on our confidence.
I know, I get it.
Our brain fog issues can “flare up” during an actual flare, or during weather changes like higher barometric pressure changes.
What about positive weather symptoms?
Have you ever experienced the “calm before the storm?” and felt a sense of euphoria or lightness in your body?
The barometric changes are not always negative. Sometimes before a rain, you might feel lighter and other times you might feel pain and heaviness. It is hard to know, but if you track your own patterns, you may see that it’s not always negative.
Also during and after a good rain, you can get the added benefit of negative ions, which can be relaxing to the mind and body. The negative ions are helping to clear the air of allergens, pollen, and toxins. It’s truly a good thing.
Is Moving An Option?
If you do notice that you experience more pain living in a certain climate, moving may cross your mind and it may not be a bad idea if you can find a more stable weather environment that is supportive of your wellness.
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HOW CANNABIS CAN HELP…
Cannabis regulates body temperature – Does Smoking Cannabis Lower Your Body Temperature?
The simple answer to this question is yes: cannabis really does lower your body temperature. This phenomenon is called THC-induced hypothermia. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. But do not worry. In humans, this hypothermia is not as scary as it looks. At worst, smoking cannabis will give you a slight chill, sometimes lingering …
Hypothermia can also be induced by mustard – Believe it or not, cannabis has an effect similar to mustard, hot peppers when it comes to temperature. This is because as soon as your tongue (or any part of your skin, for that matter) detects heat. It sets off a cascade of chemical reactions that tell the body to cool down.
This reaction is thought to be mediated by a cellular receptor, called TRPA-1. This receptor has many functions in the body. However, it is essential in mediating pain, inflammation and regulating temperature. When you consume something spicy or hot, this receiver is activated. Thus it causes a cooling and pain-fighting reaction.
The TRPA-1 receiver
The herb is most commonly consumed in the form of hot vapor or smoke. And, the compounds in the grass trigger the TRPA-1 receiver by the same procedures. Unfortunately, much of the research on the subject has been conducted in rodents, not humans. However, the hypothermic effects of THC have been noted by the Scientific Research, in the 1970s. In the 80s, a few studies on rodents found a connection between cannabis and decreased body temperature.
While researchers believe the TRPA-1 receptor is at play, other research suggests that cannabis can affect body temperature in a more complicated way as well. TRPA-1 is not the only type of cell receptor affected by cannabis. The psychoactive THC, and other compounds in the herb, work their magic in the human body, by connecting to cell sites called cannabinoid receptors.
Cannabis-induced hyperthermia
Research has shown that cannabinoid receptors can have a powerful influence on temperature regulation. Cannabinoid receptors are a part of the endocannabinoid system, which is much larger (ECS). Moreover, review of the scientific literature suggests that at low doses, the active compounds in cannabis could cause hyperthermia. Hyperthermia which is a temporary increase in body temperature.
To avoid sweating, smoke a joint … On a hot summer night, consuming some cannabis could help cool you off. And, to take full advantage of the ‘comforting’ properties of cannabis, bongs and dabs may be likely to provide extra freshness … If the rodent study is any indication. So just a puff or two could keep you from sweating …
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