Marijuana May Help Multiple Sclerosis Patients?

  • Context: Medical 
  • Thread starter Thread starter green1706
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Multiple
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential benefits of marijuana for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly in alleviating muscle spasms and inflammation. Participants explore the legal and medical landscape surrounding medical marijuana use in the United States, as well as personal experiences and anecdotal evidence regarding its efficacy for MS symptoms.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that research suggests cannabis can reduce muscle spasms in MS patients and that cannabinoids may offer benefits by reducing inflammation.
  • Concerns are raised about the intoxicating side effects of THC, with some arguing that the combination of THC and CBD can mitigate these effects.
  • One participant requests links to studies to support claims made about the effectiveness of marijuana for MS, indicating a desire for more informed discussion.
  • Another participant mentions that Maine has a medical marijuana law that includes MS as a qualifying condition, but notes the ongoing challenges with local regulations and dispensary licensing.
  • A participant shares a personal experience stating that marijuana did not provide relief for their MS symptoms, emphasizing individual variability in response to treatment.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the effectiveness of marijuana for MS, with some supporting its use based on research and personal anecdotes, while others remain skeptical or highlight potential legal and health concerns. No consensus is reached regarding its overall efficacy or safety.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various legal and regulatory challenges surrounding medical marijuana use, including local laws and penalties related to possession near schools. There is also an acknowledgment of the variability in individual responses to marijuana treatment for MS.

green1706
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I have a friend with MS :cry: and need to know...:confused:
Researchers note that doses of cannabis (marijuana) have been shown to reduce the muscle spasms experienced by many people who have multiple sclerosis. The use of medical marijuana continues to be a struggle in the United States. Although it has been shown to be very effective in treating various diseases and illnesses, including chronic pain, nausea, glaucoma, seizure disorders, PTSD, cancer, diabetes, and others, many people risk arrest when they use marijuana for medicinal purposes. In October 2009, President Obama stated that his administration will not seek to arrest medical marijuana users and suppliers if they conform to state laws.
Although research indicates that cannabinoids offer benefits for multiple sclerosis patients because they can reduce inflammation and they have quelled spasms in animal studies, some officials, including regulators and researchers, have been concerned about the intoxicating side effects of THC. The authors of the recent paper, however, note that the combination of THC and CBD can limit psychotropic effects. They also note that the multiple sclerosis patients in the studies they evaluated generally well tolerated the side effects of the combined marijuana extracts.
Does anyone know more details?
PS: An amazing invention I have seen is the so called berkelbike, a revolutionary, award winning tricycle which can be propelled by both your arms and legs. The BerkelBike makes cycling possible despite MS, Polio, Spinal Cord Injury or Stroke.


:cool:
 
Biology news on Phys.org
green1706 said:
Don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I have a friend with MS :cry: and need to know...:confused:
Researchers note that doses of cannabis (marijuana) have been shown to reduce the muscle spasms experienced by many people who have multiple sclerosis. The use of medical marijuana continues to be a struggle in the United States. Although it has been shown to be very effective in treating various diseases and illnesses, including chronic pain, nausea, glaucoma, seizure disorders, PTSD, cancer, diabetes, and others, many people risk arrest when they use marijuana for medicinal purposes. In October 2009, President Obama stated that his administration will not seek to arrest medical marijuana users and suppliers if they conform to state laws.
Although research indicates that cannabinoids offer benefits for multiple sclerosis patients because they can reduce inflammation and they have quelled spasms in animal studies, some officials, including regulators and researchers, have been concerned about the intoxicating side effects of THC. The authors of the recent paper, however, note that the combination of THC and CBD can limit psychotropic effects. They also note that the multiple sclerosis patients in the studies they evaluated generally well tolerated the side effects of the combined marijuana extracts.
Does anyone know more details?
PS: An amazing invention I have seen is the so called berkelbike, a revolutionary, award winning tricycle which can be propelled by both your arms and legs. The BerkelBike makes cycling possible despite MS, Polio, Spinal Cord Injury or Stroke.


:cool:

So you like my bike, eh? :approve:

Just kidding. Can you please provide some links to the studies that you are alluding to? That would help folks make more informed comments without having to go off and dig them up ourselves.

Are you currently in Romania (in your profile), or in the States? I think at least locally here in California, prescriptions are being filled for some of the illnesses you mention. Not sure about MS.
 
Maine now has a medical marijuana law, and MS is one of the conditions for which it can be prescribed. Dispensaries have not yet been licensed, and there is currently a spate of NIMBY actions going on on the town/city level. Also, it is not clear what might happen to a medical marijuana user if he or she is found to be in possession of pot while located within 1000 ft of a school - a condition that elevates the crime of possession and can trigger some fairly draconian penalties.
 
If you are already a smoker (legal fags) - Just try... You'll see...
If not; I am not sure it worth starting to smoke to get a 'possible' relief. Like shooting a foot to forget you've got an headache?

FWIW: I am MS sufferer and I tried MJ: it did not change anything to me. But everyone's different; and so is their MS.
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
7K
Replies
1
Views
4K