Medical Marijuana for Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

The use of cannabis as a medicine has been around for centuries. Records of using marijuana for healing go back at least 3,000 years, according to the National Cancer Institute. For multiple sclerosis, the evidence is modest: patients rate their spasticity as better with cannabinoids, mainly the THC and CBD spray nabiximols, though objective tests show little change. Many states now allow medical use, so people with long-term conditions often ask whether it could ease their symptoms.

One of those conditions is Multiple Sclerosis. It affects an estimated 2.8 million people worldwide, and a 2019 study counted about 727,000 U.S. adults with MS in 2010.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is an immune-mediated disease where the body’s immune system attacks myelin and nerve fibers found in the central nervous system. Myelin is the fatty substance that surrounds and insulates nerve fibers. The immune system then attacks the cells which make the myelin. The damaged areas form scar tissue, which gives the disease its name; multiple areas of scarring or multiple sclerosis.

What are the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are varied and unpredictable. No two people have the exact same experience, and progression can even fluctuate over time. One person may not feel more than a few symptoms, while another can experience a lot more. The more common symptoms of MS include:

• Fatigue
• Difficulties with gait while walking
• Spasticity
• Numbness or tingling
• Weakness
• Vision problems
• Dizziness and vertigo
• Bladder problems
• Sexual problems
• Bowel problems
• Chronic pain and itching
• Cognitive changes
• Emotional changes
• Depression

Here are some less well-known symptoms of multiple sclerosis:

• Speech problems
• Swallowing problems
• Tremor
• Seizures
• Breathing problems
• Hearing loss

Cannabinoids have modest evidence for a few of these, mainly spasticity as patients rate it, pain and bladder problems.

Can Medical Marijuana Help MS Symptoms?

For MS symptoms, NIH reviews find a small improvement in spasticity as rated by patients, but not on objective tests. They also support further research into the potential of cannabis as a treatment option.

Most studies only focus on synthetic derivatives for treating the spasticity associated with MS while very few have studied the effects of whole-plant cannabis on symptoms. More studies are needed; here is what trials and surveys have found so far:

• A 2005 randomized trial of 66 people with MS pain found a cannabis-based spray cut pain scores by 2.7 points versus 1.4 on placebo, and also improved sleep.
• When the immune cells attack the central nervous system, neural tissue inflammation occurs. Lab studies show some cannabis compounds, such as beta-caryophyllene, act on anti-inflammatory pathways, but none has been shown to slow MS.
• A 2014 neurology guideline, since retired, found the spray nabiximols probably effective for spasticity as patients rated it, but not on objective measures.
• A 1997 survey of 112 people with MS who smoked cannabis found that 30% to 97% reported improvement, depending on the symptom, with spasticity and pain most often named.
• Bladder, bowel and mood changes were also reported, but a survey of users cannot show that cannabis caused them.

Methods of Ingesting Medical Cannabis for MS

There are several different options for bringing medical cannabis into your system. The right option depends on the symptoms you hope to relieve and how fast you need relief.

• Edibles: edibles act more slowly than inhaled cannabis, and their effects last longer, so dose timing is harder to judge.
• Cannabutter: adding cannabutter to cooking, such as in an omelet, makes the dose hard to measure.
• Vaporization: inhaled cannabis acts within minutes, but vaping THC-containing products has been linked to severe lung injury.

Strains Patients Name for the Symptoms of MS

Patients often say some strains suit certain symptoms better than others. These strains are often named by patients, but none has been tested in MS trials, and strain names do not reliably predict content.

• Sojay Haze: This sativa is energizing and uplifting, which some patients with MS fatigue mention. Patients describe a relaxed feeling with some focus.
• Russian Assassin: This is an indica strain that patients often use at night. Patients describe it as relaxing and use it for MS pain. Some use it for anxiety, though cannabis can make anxiety worse in some people.
• Super Sour Diesel: This hybrid is sold as combining sativa-type energy with indica-type relaxation. Patients describe it as energizing and use it for daytime pain.
• Critical Mass: This indica is one patients name for sleep, pain and stress. Patients often choose it for nighttime use.
• One to One: This hybrid is unique, its CBD to THC ratio is 1 to 1, hence its name. Its CBD content is often said to soften the high from THC. Its 1:1 ratio resembles nabiximols, the THC and CBD spray studied for MS spasticity, though the strain itself has not been tested.

Multiple sclerosis is a serious condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Due to the nature of the disease, no one experiences the same symptoms or progression. Never attempt to self-treat or self-diagnose MS. Medical cannabis has modest evidence for a few MS symptoms and should be used only with your physician’s guidance; in Florida, multiple sclerosis is a qualifying condition. Always ask for the advice of your physician before incorporating any treatment, natural or prescription, into your regimen.