The role of cannabis in treating multiple sclerosis is an emerging area of research. It may help with symptoms like pain, spasticity, sleep and tremors.
According to a survey, about half of people with MS use medical cannabis for managing their symptoms. However, many don’t discuss their use with their MS doctor.
Symptom Management
Medicinal cannabis is an effective way to treat the symptoms of MS, including spasticity and pain. However, patients must be under the care of a medical practitioner to take part in this form of treatment.
For those with relapsing-remitting MS who are using medicinal cannabis, it is important to communicate with your physician about symptoms. These include neuropathic pain, fatigue, bladder or bowel issues and sleep disturbances.
While most studies have focused on pain, there is also evidence to suggest that cannabinoids can help with urinary or bladder issues. These symptoms can have a severe impact on the quality of life of those with MS.
A study of 630 people with MS found that cannabis can relieve the pain and stiffness of spasticity, and improve mobility. The participants were given a daily dose of either a cannabis extract (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or a mixture of cannabidiol and THC) or a placebo. The results of the study were published in 2003 and showed that patients who received cannabis treatment had better quality of life scores than those who received a placebo.
It is important for doctors to be aware of the potential benefits of cannabis for multiple sclerosis and to be educated on how to prescribe the right dosage for their patient. If a physician is not confident about the benefits of medicinal cannabis for their patient, they should refer them to a medical professional with experience in prescribing cannabis treatments.
Some studies have shown that cannabis can relieve the symptoms of neuropathic pain and improve sleep in patients with MS. The scientific research is still limited and the results have been mixed.
Fortunately, there are many options for symptom management in patients with multiple sclerosis, including exercise, yoga, meditation, massage and acupuncture. All these can help to alleviate the symptoms of neuropathic pain and fatigue as well as increase your overall mental health.
In addition, the use of a supplement containing vitamin D3 can have positive effects on the condition as well. In addition to its known anti-inflammatory effects, vitamin D can increase muscle function and decrease fatigue. For these reasons, many physicians have started to recommend a daily supplement of vitamin D3 to their MS patients.
Pain Management
The role of cannabis in treating multiple sclerosis is a complex topic, but we have found that many patients experience significant pain relief with marijuana. This includes localized pain (in the areas of the body affected by MS), spasticity, numbness, and tingling.
Medicinal cannabis can help with the symptoms of MS by reducing or preventing the development of new lesions and slowing the progression of disease. It also helps with other symptoms, such as fatigue and mood.
Some people find that a combination of marijuana and other natural supplements can be effective for pain management in addition to medications. Other patients may choose to use a medical marijuana dispensary for more targeted therapy with specific strains and dosages.
Pain is one of the most difficult symptoms to manage with MS. It can range in severity from mild to severe, and it can be either acute or chronic.
It is common for patients with MS to develop a form of pain called neuropathic pain, which is caused by damage to the nerves and is often accompanied by tingling or numbness in the fingers and feet. Researchers are investigating the role that marijuana can play in reducing this pain.
There are several types of cannabis, and they all contain different amounts of THC and other cannabinoids. They come in sativa, indica and hybrid forms, and are usually consumed by smoking. Sativa plants have a higher THC content and are considered to be more energetic and uplifting.
Indica plants tend to be more sedating, and they can help patients relax and sleep better. They can be smoked, inhaled or eaten.
Sativex, a prescription product available in Australia, is approved to treat muscle spasticity in people with MS who have not responded well to other anti-spasticity medications. The medication has a small amount of THC to reduce the psychoactive effects and is a safe and effective treatment for the spasticity associated with MS.
Other studies suggest that a combination of cannabis and other medications can be effective for the treatment of neuropathic pain, especially for patients who are already taking gabapentin. However, this has only been tested in short-term trials and further research is required to establish the long term effectiveness of cannabis for MS-related neuropathic pain.
Sleep Management
Sleep is an important part of your body’s health, and it’s especially vital to you if you have multiple sclerosis. It supports healthy brain functioning, heals and repairs your heart and blood vessels, regulates mood, and helps your immune system defend against harmful substances.
If you are having trouble falling or staying asleep, talk to your doctor about possible solutions. There are several treatments that can help, including behavioral therapy and medications. If you have a sleep breathing disorder such as sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend a CPAP machine.
Insomnia and fatigue are common symptoms in MS patients, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough sleep. This is especially true if you’re taking MS medications that can affect your sleep.
Narcolepsy, a sleeping disorder that causes you to lose consciousness or feel drowsy, can also be problematic for MS patients. If you have this, it can cause serious health problems and lead to disability.
Other MS symptoms can also disrupt your sleep, such as pain and muscle spasms. These can interfere with your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep, as well as causing daytime fatigue.
Many of these symptoms can be treatable, and some can be improved by using cannabis to manage them. For example, a recent clinical trial showed that cannabis helped to reduce the severity of spasticity in patients with MS.
You can also use cannabis to improve your overall sleep and energy levels. However, it’s important to remember that some MS symptoms are better managed than others. So, it’s a good idea to speak with your physician about what symptoms you can control and improve while still enjoying the benefits of cannabis.
While sleep issues in patients with multiple sclerosis are common, there is no evidence that they increase the risk of relapse or progression of the disease. Additionally, there is a growing body of research suggesting that treating sleep disorders in MS can also improve other MS symptoms, such as cognitive function and fatigue.
Social Functioning
For patients with multiple sclerosis, the symptoms of this disabling disease can make it difficult to engage in normal activities. Symptoms can include loss of movement, balance, speech and cognition. It can also be difficult to manage pain and sleep.
For some people, cannabis can help them get through the day with fewer symptoms. This can have a positive impact on their quality of life.
However, this medication can cause some negative side effects for those who have a history of using it and may not be advisable for all people with MS. It is important to be aware of these side effects and to discuss them with your medical team.
One study found that cannabis may not only cause a reduction in pain, but it can also have an effect on other health outcomes. In this study, the researchers analyzed data from a sample of patients with MS who had been treated with cannabis. They found that the patients had improved their scores in terms of social functioning and perceived pain relief.
The participants were asked to report their health functioning prior to and after their initiation of medical cannabis use (pre-cannabis). A 66-item survey was designed to measure a range of factors, including demographics, pain medication use, and perceived changes in health functioning pre- and post-cannabis.
This survey was based on the RAND 36-Item Health Survey Version 1.0 (Rand Health Care, n.d.-b) and published reports of the SF-36 (Boston Roybal Center for Active Lifestyle Interventions, n.d.). The items used were similar to those used in other studies, but they were abbreviated to allow for completion and reliability.
After the data were collected, paired t-tests were conducted to compare health functioning domains, before and after medical cannabis initiation. The results show that most participants reported improvements in the health functioning domains of Bodily Pain, Physical Functioning, and Social Functioning, as well as Role Limitations due to Physical Health or Emotional Problems after initiation of medical cannabis use.
These findings support the idea that cannabis can be an effective way of reducing or replacing pain medication without sacrificing other aspects of health. The results of this study suggest that many patients with multiple sclerosis could consider using medical cannabis as a form of treatment.
