In the ongoing search to ease the lives of those with multiple sclerosis, various treatment options have appeared that help alleviate the symptoms experienced by MS-affected individuals. Most of these include over-the-counter medication, such as muscle relaxants and pain relievers. However, a recent study conducted by the Saint James School of Medicine illustrates that medical marijuana -particularly cannabinoids derived from the plant-, may play a role in improving spasticity (more simply known as muscle tightness), along with other MS symptoms.
Cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have gained attention in recent years due to their differing pharmacological properties. The authors of this research performed a systematic review of studies published since 2007, evaluating the use of substances such as CBD and THC in multiple sclerosis and and experimental models with multiple sclerosis-like conditions.
Preclinical studies (animal) demonstrated positive effects, with decrease in disease severity, hind-limb stiffness, neuroinflammation, and demyelination - loss or damage of the myelin sheath on top of nerve fibers. Furthermore, other experimental systems indicate that cannabinoids can promote remyelination - repair of the myelin sheath - in cell cultures and electron microscopy studies.
However, clinical studies (human) used a CBD/THC mixture in the form of an oral/nasal spray called “nabiximols”, which showed low to moderate level evidence that it reduced spasticity, pain, sleep disturbance, etc.
Despite this, a significant number of MS patients in using medical marijuana for symptom management. According to research, in 2014, out of 5481 patients surveyed by the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS), 47% considered using marijuana to help (with symptoms), 20% talked with their physician about using it, and 26% had used it for their MS. The high percentage of patients considering its use, discussing it with their physicians, and actually using it highlights the growing interest and acceptance of medical marijuana within the MS community.
While modest short-term benefits were observed in MS patients who used adjunctive therapy alongside the CBD/THC mixture, further research is recommended to understand cannabinoid effects of MS lesions on the molecular and cellular level. Long term clinical studies are needed as well to assess wheteher or not medical marijuana can accelerate remyelination and slow disability progression within MS patients.
Sources:
Longoria, V., Parcel, H., Toma, B., Minhas, A., & Zeine, R. (2022). Neurological Benefits, Clinical Challenges, and Neuropathologic Promise of Medical Marijuana: A Systematic Review of Cannabinoid Effects in Multiple Sclerosis and Experimental Models of Demyelination. Biomedicines, 10(3), 539. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10030539
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