Medical Marijuana for Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases, causing various debilitating symptoms. While there are therapies that can help reduce symptoms, they often come with uncomfortable side effects. Fortunately, many people suffering from MS are finding relief with medical marijuana. If you are curious about how medical marijuana for multiple sclerosis can help improve you or a loved one’s quality of life, this article is for you.
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system through an inflammatory process in the spinal cord and brain. The immune system turns against the body, and defense cells attack the body’s own tissue. Symptoms include sensory disturbances, pain, and muscle paralysis, and are triggered by stress, infections, and other immune system triggers.
There is no cure for multiple sclerosis, so therapy aims to relieve symptoms and reduce the inflammatory process. Patients are often given immunotherapeutic drugs that are effective but have uncomfortable side effects like headaches, stomach problems, and tiredness. But the good news is, many MS patients are beating their symptoms with medical marijuana.
Medical Marijuana for Multiple Sclerosis
Medical cannabis works to provide relief from a variety of ailments through what is known as the endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD bind to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body to modulate how information flows by neurons in the central nervous system. This process can profoundly affect things like inflammation, pain sensation, sleep, and appetite. While there is overwhelming anecdotal evidence that cannabis relieves symptoms of MS, researchers are still uncovering more about how it works and its future potential as a treatment.
One of the most powerful ways cannabis can help MS patients is by easing muscle spasms that cause pain. In a 2004 study, researchers found that 37 out of 50 MS patients saw a reduction in muscle spasms after being treated with cannabis extract.
Cannabis is also a powerful anti-inflammatory, one of the main causes of pain in patients with MS. An Israeli study from 2011 shows that mice with a condition similar to MS were able to move their stiff legs again and showed less inflammation after being administered CBD. It’s also well known that cannabis can help MS patients get better sleep and ward off depression.
Using Cannabis for Multiple Sclerosis
Everyone with MS has their own unique experience with the disease and its symptoms. And in much the same way, the best cannabis strain to treat MS will depend on the individual. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, so it will take a little experimentation and guidance from a medical marijuana professional to find what works. Many MS patients find success with strains that have a more balanced blend of THC and CBD to maximize the benefits of both without the side effect of feeling intoxicated. If you’d like more information on using medical marijuana to help ease the symptoms of MS, we encourage you to stop by your local Albany Marijuana Dispensary for help finding the products that may work best for you.