The role of cannabis in treating multiple sclerosis can be a controversial topic. However, it is safe to use and can be effective in treating some symptoms of MS such as pain, spasticity, urinary problems and tremor.
The CAMS trial found that medical marijuana reduced bladder symptoms in MS patients. This is a positive finding for those with this symptom and could increase their quality of life.
Cannabinoids
A growing number of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) are using or considering using cannabis as part of their symptom management care plan. Cannabinoids, or chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant, have been shown to be effective at treating a range of symptoms associated with MS such as pain and spasticity.
Cannabinoids have the ability to inhibit neuroinflammation, suppress the immune response and exert anti-seizure properties. They are thought to have the potential to alter the etiology of multiple sclerosis and its symptoms by targeting a range of different biological targets in the CNS. This includes oligodendrocytes, microglia, astrocytes and neurons.
These are the cells that make up the nervous system, and cannabinoids act on these cells through endocannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). Cannabinoid receptors are located on neurons throughout the brain and central nervous system. The CB1 receptors are primarily located in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia and cerebellum.
They are activated by the presence of cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. These receptors also stimulate other chemicals within the body such as nitric oxide. These other chemicals can help to control inflammation and neuropathic pain, as well as reducing tremors and regulating sleep and appetite.
Many patients with MS suffer from neuropathic pain, fatigue and muscle spasticity, all of which can cause serious problems in daily life. Medicinal agents that can ease these symptoms include botulinum toxin injections, baclofen or tizanidine for spasticity and anticonvulsants and antidepressants for pain.
Although these medications can reduce or eliminate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, they are not always effective or well tolerated. For example, some people experience withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, insomnia with sleep electroencephalogram disturbance, restlessness and hot flashes.
Cannabinoids can be administered in different forms, including tinctures, capsules and edibles such as cannabis butter or cream. Several studies have shown that cannabinoids can be used to relieve neuropathic pain and spasticity in patients with MS.
Currently, only one pharmaceutical product is licensed to treat the spasticity associated with MS, Sativex (nabiximols). It is a mouth spray that contains equal amounts of THC and CBD.
Hash oil
There is some scientific evidence that suggests that cannabis may help reduce pain and muscle problems in people with multiple sclerosis. However, further clinical studies are needed to confirm this.
Neuropathic pain is a common symptom of MS and affects around half of all people with the disease. It can cause burning or tingling sensations and changes with temperature or touch. This type of pain often doesn’t respond well to standard pain medications.
In one study, people with MS who took medicinal cannabis had reduced pain intensity and the impact of that pain on their daily life. It also helped improve their overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
Another study found that patients who smoked cannabis daily had lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines, as well as less pain and spasticity. This is important because MS can cause inflammation in the body.
Spasticity is a common symptom of MS that can be severe and limiting to a person’s daily life. Medicinal cannabis can be prescribed in Australia by general practitioners and specialists for treatment of moderate to severe spasticity in MS.
Currently, there is only one medically approved product for use in people with MS called Sativex. It can be prescribed by general practitioners in Victoria to treat moderate to severe spasticity in MS in those who have not responded adequately to other anti-spasticity medications.
Sativex works on a wide range of symptoms in multiple sclerosis, including muscle stiffness, bladder dysfunction, and pain. It can be used in combination with other treatments to improve the quality of life and function of patients with MS.
Other symptoms of MS can also be improved by medicinal cannabis. These include tremors, urinary issues, and sleep disturbances.
There are a number of randomized controlled studies that have looked at the effectiveness of cannabis on these symptoms, but they all have been inconclusive. It’s also difficult to predict how much this will have an impact on the course of the disease and disability.
Regardless of which symptoms are affected, people with MS should talk to their doctor about using medicinal cannabis as part of a treatment plan. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of this form of therapy with your doctor so you can weigh the pros and cons.
Vaporizers
Vaporizers are a type of device used to heat cannabis or another herb to extract its compounds. They are used by people with medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, and can help alleviate symptoms.
There are a few types of vaporizers, including dry-herb vaporizers and concentrate vaporizers. Both types are able to vaporize cannabis oils or dry herbs that have been extracted with solvents, such as PG or PEG.
Dry-herb vaporizers are portable, handheld devices that use a small oven to heat up the dry herb and extract THC in the form of inhalable vapor. These devices have a short heat-up time of about 20 to 40 seconds, and can only vaporize one herb at a time.
Concentrate vaporizers use a heating system that combines conduction and convection to vaporize the dry herb or concentrate. This type of heating method has many benefits, including efficient vaporization, and it helps filter out irritants such as nicotine and other chemicals.
Although they have been around for a long time, vaporizers only became popular in the last few years. These devices are now available in desktop and portable forms, including pens and tanks.
Some vaporizers also have temperature control, and can be used to vaporize a variety of materials. The most common heating systems are conduction and convection, but a new heating system has emerged in 2018.
Induction heating uses electromagnetic waves to vaporize the dry herb or concentrate. It offers more flexibility than conduction and convection, and can be used to vaporize any material you wish.
These vaporizers are becoming more and more popular with patients. They are easy to use, have one-button controls, and they can be used to vaporize a range of different materials.
They are safer than cigarettes because they don’t produce smoke, and second-hand exposure isn’t as severe. However, they can be addictive. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that can cause changes in the brain. It’s also a known carcinogen.
While vaporizers are becoming more popular with people with medical conditions, they can be dangerous if they contain nicotine. They are also a gateway to other tobacco products, which can be even more harmful.
Medical marijuana
There is a growing interest in the role of medical marijuana in treating multiple sclerosis. Patients are turning to cannabis products to ease their neuropathy, pain, and systemic inflammation (8).
People with MS may experience neuropathic pain, which can be a result of a MS lesion or the effects of other medications. Studies have shown that smoked or vaped cannabis products can ease this type of pain and many people with MS report that their symptoms improve when using these products.
Medicinal cannabis can also be helpful for spasticity, which is another common symptom of MS. Studies have shown that it can help reduce pain and muscle tightness and improve sleep in people with MS.
It is important to talk with your healthcare provider before you start using any cannabis product. They can help you determine if it is safe for you to use and if so, how much and how often you should take it. They can also help you find a cannabis doctor in your area who can prescribe it to you.
A recent survey of people with multiple sclerosis found that a majority of respondents would like to use cannabis as part of their treatment if it was legalized in their state. This is especially true in states that have legalized it for medical purposes.
Several types of cannabis products have been used in studies to treat MS-related symptoms, including cannabinoids and synthetic cannabis-based prescriptions such as Sativex (nabiximols). These are oral sprays that contain a ratio of THC to CBD and are designed to relieve pain, fatigue, bladder urgency, and mobility difficulties.
However, some healthcare professionals are skeptical of the safety and effectiveness of these products, mainly because they lack clinical guidelines and have not been evaluated in long-term studies to determine their impact on disability progression.
This concern is largely due to the fact that it is not clear whether cannabis can prevent or slow the progress of MS in patients who are already impaired by the disease. In addition, the effects of cannabis can change depending on a person’s age and body chemistry.
