# Endocannabinoid System Research: CBD vs Placebo for Fibromyalgia Relief, Evidence-Based Cannabis Care

> **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637)
> **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com)
> **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/cannabidiol-fibromyalgia-clinical-trial-cbd-vs-placebo-results/
> **Published:** 2026-05-12T22:30:58-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:54:14-04:00
> **Clinical Summary:** Explore the cannabidiol fibromyalgia clinical trial showing CBD's pain relief compared to placebo. Evidence-based insights on CBD for fibromyalgia pain.

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Table of Contents

- [Clinical Takeaway](#Clinical_Takeaway)
- [#11 Cannabidiol versus placebo in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, single-centre trial.](#11_Cannabidiol_versus_placebo_in_patients_with_fibromyalgia_a_randomised_double-blind_placebo-controlled_parallel-group_single-centre_trial)
- [What This Study Teaches Us](#What_This_Study_Teaches_Us)
- [Why This Matters Clinically](#Why_This_Matters_Clinically)
- [Study Snapshot](#Study_Snapshot)
- [Where This Paper Deserves Skepticism](#Where_This_Paper_Deserves_Skepticism)
- [Dr. Caplan’s Take](#Dr_Caplan8217s_Take)
- [Clinical Bottom Line](#Clinical_Bottom_Line)
- [Related](#Related)

#### Clinical Takeaway

In this randomized controlled trial, CBD did not demonstrate superior pain relief compared to placebo in patients with fibromyalgia. The findings add to the limited evidence base and suggest that CBD should not yet be recommended as a reliable treatment for fibromyalgia pain.

### #11 Cannabidiol versus placebo in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, single-centre trial.

**Citation:** Rasmussen Marianne Uggen et al. *Cannabidiol versus placebo in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, single-centre trial.* Annals of the rheumatic diseases. 2026. PMID: 40846590.

**Study type:** Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial  | 

**Topic area:** Cannabidiol  | 

**CED Score:** 11

Design: 5 Journal: 0 N: 2 Recency: 3 Pop: 2 Human: 1 Risk: -2

**Quality Gate Alerts:**
- Preclinical only

**Abstract:** OBJECTIVES: Cannabidiol (CBD) is used to alleviate fibromyalgia pain despite limited evidence for efficacy. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of CBD vs placebo in patients with fibromyalgia, hypothesising that CBD would be superior to placebo in reducing pain. METHODS: In this single-centre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia were recruited from a specialised outpatient clinic in Denmark. Eligible participants were randomised 1:1 and stratified by sex, defined as biological sex assigned at birth based on physical anatomy. Age (

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### Verification & Medical Governance

- **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD
- **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House).
- **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`).
- **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/).
- **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637).
- **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).