As a neurologist, I’m fortunate to work as part of a comprehensive team managing MS. Our team uses all the tools at our disposal to improve the lives of those
with MS, with a significant focus on wellness. Like most states in the U.S., my state of Georgia has a law regarding cannabinoids and MS. I will admit that my medical training contained little on cannabinoids and how they may be useful in the management of various medical problems. On behalf of my patients, I’m learning now. I will start by saying that navigating the world of medical cannabinoid use for MS has been a challenge. It can be tough to find reliable information on how various cannabinoids, including those containing CBD and THC can affect MS. Many studies have used different amounts, combinations and routes of administration.
Let’s look at what cannabinoids can do for the management of some MS-related symptoms and what cannabinoids might do in an autoimmune disease like MS. Anecdotally, I’ve had many people with MS tell me that cannabis in various forms has helped with pain, spasticity, sleep, anxiety and bladder function. The American Academy of Neurology has looked at the issue in MS and concluded that: There is strong evidence that CBD pills can relieve patients’ reported spasticity in short term studies. There is moderate evidence that THC sprays and pills probably lessen patients’ reported symptoms of spasticity, painful spasms and cramp-like pain in short term studies. There is strong evidence that cannabinoid extract pills lessen central neuropathic pain (burning or pins/needles sensations). There is moderate evidence that THC spray lessens urinary frequency.
So, science would agree with what my patients are telling me. Cannabis does appear to relieve some MS symptoms. Like any treatment a person might pursue, one always has to look at both the risks and benefits.
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