Multiple Sclerosis is a progressively degenerative nerve disease that slowly cripples its victims and ultimately leads to death in many cases. The cause of MS remains a mystery, though some theorize that its prevalence in the Pacific Northwest indicates a correlation between MS and a lack of natural sunlight during childhood development. There is no specific therapy for Multiple Scelrosis. Treatment typically consists of symptom management, commonly including steroids, tranquilizers, sedatives, barbiturates, and opiates, all of which stabilize the neurological disorder for a limited time but cause serious side effects. Recently, an experimental regimen involving daily injections has been found to have some benefit in forestalling the onslaught of debilitating symptoms, but those treatments also have powerful side-effects that completely disrupt any normal routine.
Many MS patients attest that marijuana quells their uncontrollable tremors better than barbiturates and reduces the pain caused by their degenerative condition better than opiates.[1] Research confirmed that symptomatic muscle spasms were reduced by marijuana in clinical measurements of MS patients’ symptoms.[2} In 1987, researchers from the UCLA School of Medicine studied 13 MS patients receiving THC in clinical trials. They concluded, “These positive findings in a treatment failure population suggest a role for THC in the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis.”[3]
In Britain, a majority of physicians responding to the government’s call for information on medical marijuana are in favor of allowing legal access to cannabis for sufferers of multiple sclerosis.[4] The British Medical Association has asked Parliament to speed up the processing of cannabinoid research licenses, with the highest priority given to patients with MS and other spastic disorders.[5] Geoffrey Guy was the first British researcher to be authorized to begin trials on MS patients using natural smoked marijuana. Neurologist Dennis Petro applauded these efforts, saying, “if [Dr. Guy’s] studies focus on spasticity, the chance of a positive outcome are high.”[6] In agreement, Roger Pertwee, President of the International Cannabinoid Research Society, remarked, “The evidence supporting the use of cannabinoids for multiple sclerosis or spinal injury is particularity promising.”[7]
Multiple sclerosis sufferers often exhibit disorderly voluntary muscle coordination, called axtaxia, a condition aside from pain and muscle spasms, which also shows to be clinically improved by cannabis use in some patients.[8] Conventional antispasmodic medications used to treat the muscle spasms have powerful side effects that actually contribute to the debilitating symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
Investigators at the London School of Medicine, Neuroscience Center reported that cannabinoids likely hold therapeutic value for MS patients beyond providing temporary symptomatic relief. That research was reported in a 2008 issue of the British medical journal, Current Pharmaceutical Design.
“Recent clinical trials may indeed suggest that cannabis has some potential to relieve, pain, spasms and spasticity in MS,” authors wrote. “In addition, CB(1) and CB(2) cannabinoid receptor stimulation may also have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective potential. Therefore cannabinoids may not only offer symptom control but may also slow the neurodegenerative disease progression that ultimately leads to the accumulation of disability.”
A recent expert opinion paper published by the US National Multiple Sclerosis Society concluded that cannabis possesses the potential to treat MS symptoms as well as moderate disease progression.
Cannabinoids possess neuroprotective properties and may modify the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a review published in the journal Current Pharmaceutical Design.
Investigators at the London School of Medicine, Neuroscience Center reported that cannabinoids likely hold therapeutic value for MS patients beyond providing temporary symptomatic relief.
“Recent clinical trials may indeed suggest that cannabis has some potential to relieve, pain, spasms and spasticity in MS,” authors wrote. “In addition, CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptor stimulation may also have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective potential. Therefore cannabinoids may not only offer symptom control but may also slow the neurodegenerative disease progression that ultimately leads to the accumulation of disability.”
A recent expert opinion paper published by the US National Multiple Sclerosis Society concluded that cannabis possesses the potential to treat MS symptoms as well as moderate disease progression, but stopped short of recommending that patients use it therapeutically.[9]
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[1] Grinspoon, “Multiple sclerosis.” The Forbidden Medicine Website, http://www.rxmarijuana.com
[2] Ellenberer, “Treatment of human spasticity with delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol.” Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, August 21, 1981
[3] Ungerleider, Andrysiak, Fairbanks, Ellison, and Myers, “Delta-9 THC in the treatment of spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis.” Advisory on Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 39-50, 1987
[4] “Cannabis: Look, Listen, Learn.” Independent (UK), cannabis@independentco.org, 1988
[5] Warden, “UK will speed up work on cannabis.” The British Medical Journal, May 5, 1998
[6] Pertwee, Letters, The Scotsman, February, 19, 1998, Source: Cowen, https://marijuananews.com
[7] Meinck, Schonle, and Conrad, “Effects of cannabinoids on spasticity and ataxia in multiple sclerosis.” Journal of Neurology, Vol. 236, pp. 120-122, 1989
[8] ” Cannabis May Halt Progression Of Multiple Sclerosis, Study Says”, Paul Armentano, NORML News, 9/18/08, See: www.NORML.org Full text of the study, “The endocannabinoid system and multiple sclerosis,” appears in the journal Current Pharmaceutical Design.
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