Multiple Sclerosis and Cannabis

What symptoms can Cannabis relieve?

Although Tetrahydrocannabinol or “THC” is the most known of the compounds in marijuana, at least 66 cannabinoids have been isolated from this plant. The effects of most of these compounds is still unknown and it is widely believed that it is the combination of these chemicals which creates the diverse range of medical benefits including, but not limited to, pain relief.

In 2003, John Zajicek and his colleagues published results on the largest study to date of cannabinoids and MS. The trial included 630 advanced-stage MS patients who took either cannabinoid compounds or a placebo for 15 weeks.

The results were telling. Compared with those on placebos, patients who received active compounds said they both felt less pain and less muscle spasticity.

Those who continued using cannabis to treat their symptoms the patients were evaluated again using the same measures as in the first study. But this time, physiotherapists saw a marked improvement for subjects on active drugs. They had reduced muscle spasticity and an improved overall score for their level of disability.