Multiple Sclerosis & Medical Marijuana

Multiple sclerosis (MS), is a disease of the nervous system where the insulating cover of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord nerve cells are damaged, resulting in the dysfunction of nervous system communications.   MS symptoms and conditions are both physical and mental.

"THC (a major component in Medical Marijuana) slows progression in people with primary-progressive or secondary-progressive MS."

--  Dr. John Zajicek (Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry)

In early stage MS, symptoms may disappear, however, in advanced conditions, permanent neurological damage results.  While the cause isn't perfectly understood, nerve coatings are known to be damaged by either a defective immune system response or metabolic defect in the regeneration of myelin-nerve-coating-producing cells. 

Symptoms of MS

Brain                Balance problems, speech problems, coordination, tremors

Motor               Muscle weakness, spasticity paralysis, vision problems, bladder, bowel problems

Sensory           Altered sensation, numbness, prickling, burning sensation

Medical Cannabis and MS

Current pharmacological treatment of MS does not offer a cure and primarily treats symptoms such as;  spasticity, pain, fatigue, bladder problems and depression.

Due to the ineffectiveness and adverse side effects of available pharmaceutical drugs, many MS physicians and patients are seeking out alternative therapies.

Cannabinoids, the active ingredients in Medical Marijuana, have been shown to control many aspects of MS disease and its progression.  Cannabis affects and modulates brain receptors that control pain, spasms, spasticity, and incontinence. Recent research indicates that Cannabinoids reduces neurodegeneration and autoimmune dysfunction in animal models.  

“The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS — or by the harsh drugs sometimes used to treat them. And it can do so with remarkable safety. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day.“

-- Dr. Joycelyn Elders, MD, former US Surgeon General

Facts and Figures

• 2,500,000 with MS worldwide
• Cold countries have the highest rate of MS
• 400,000 people in the US have MS
• Canada is #1 in the world, per capita with MS
• 45 percent have a minor case of MS
• Without therapy, about 1/3 of MS patients will end up in a wheelchair

--  Source, WHO, MS Foundation

MMJDOCTORONLINE Note:  What is the best form of Medical Marijuana?  How much should I take?  How often?  These are all questions that can be answered in a Cannabis Consultation. Our Medical Marijuana Doctors are here to provide answers in their 420 evaluations. We also provide MMJ cards that allow access to Medical Marijuana from any licensed Medical Marijuana Club in the State of California.

Further Reading

Sativex in patients with symptoms of spasticity due to multiple sclerosis

Marijuana derivatives may provide MS treatment

Marijuana Helps MS Patients Alleviate Pain, Spasms

Cannabis-based medicine in central pain in multiple sclerosis

Cannabis-based medicine in spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis

Sativex in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis associated detrusor overactivity

The effect of cannabis on urge incontinence in patients with multiple sclerosis

Cannabinoids in multiple sclerosis (CAMS) study

Sativex produced significant improvements in a subjective measure of spasticity

Do cannabis-based medicinal extracts have general or specific effects

Cannabis-based extracts for bladder dysfunction in advanced multiple sclerosis