Cannabis and Neurology Applications and Research

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Neurological conditions are often debilitating and hard to deal with without the added stress of trying to find a treatment option that works for you.

If you’ve spent time trying a range of conventional, first-line treatments options without success, medical marijuana could help to provide you with the relief that you require.

Aside from chronic pain, spasticity is the number one researched indication of the cannabis plant.

There is a wealth of evidence that supports the efficacy of cannabis in managing various neurological conditions.

Cannabis can both relieve muscle spasms and the pain caused by these spasms, offering dual-action effectiveness for thousands of people worldwide.

Medical cannabis trials have seen particular promise in treating some of the symptoms associated with MS.

However, medical marijuana can be used as a treatment option got a variety of other neurological conditions.

This includes strokes, Motor Neurone Disease, and injuries to the brain and spinal cord.

How Does Cannabis Work in Neurological Conditions?

The clinical term ‘neurological’ is used to describe anything that affects the nervous system, encompassing a range of conditions, including:

Alzheimer’s disease symptoms
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Epilepsy
Essential tremors
Migraines
Motor neurone disease
Multiple sclerosis
Muscular dystrophy symptoms
Parkinson’s disease symptoms
Seizures
Spasticity
Stroke
Traumatic brain injury

Cannabis has a direct impact on the peripheral and central nervous systems. Once consumed, it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, regulating pain and relieving symptoms.

One example of medical marijuana’s efficacy is in cases of severe epilepsy amongst children.

Severe childhood syndromes such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome typically fail to respond to prescription antiseizure medications.

That said, they are successfully treated using medical cannabis and medicines that have been manufactured using CBD as an active ingredient.

Other conditions treatable using medical cannabis include brain injuries, migraines, spinal cord injuries, and neuropathic pain.

Below are links to some of the most successful studies that back the use of cannabis for treating neurological conditions.

Cannabis Therapeutics and the Future of Neurology

Cannabis in neurology—a potted review

Clinical perspectives on medical marijuana (cannabis) for neurologic disorders

Medical Marijuana in Neurology

Medical Cannabis: The Evidence

Neurological Disorders in Medical Use of Cannabis: An Update

Medical use of Cannabis and Cannabinoids

Cannabis and Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological condition in today’s world.

The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation has estimated that around 400,000 people are living with MS in the USA, with over 2.5 million reported cases across the globe.

In the US alone, an estimated 200 new diagnoses are discovered every week. One of the challenges for people that live with MS is treating the range of symptoms that the condition creates.

There is no known cure for MS, and the prevalence of the disease along with limited treatment options have spurred many patients onto exploring cannabis-derived products to manage their symptoms.

Currently, medications known as DMTs are prescribed to slow down the progression of MS.

That said, these medications often create a range of adverse effects.

These side effects can make life more difficult for people, leaving thousands of patients seeking alternative therapies for their MS, including cannabis and CBD products.

What the Research Says about CBD and MS

There is currently a huge body of research looking into the medicinal properties of CBD, and CBD for MS. A 2013 study named, “Cannabidiol for neurodegenerative disorders: important new clinical applications for this phytocannabinoid?”. The study discusses the currently known properties and future applications of CBD to treat neurological conditions, including:

Antiemetic (reduces nausea and vomiting)
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Antipsychotic
Anticonvulsant (suppresses seizure activity)
Anti-tumoral/anti-cancer
Antidepressant
Anxiolytic (combats anxiety)
Analgesic (relieves pain)

It’s plain to see how these potential medicinal properties could help in providing relief to somebody living with MS.

Let’s take a look at what some of the research says around CBD and treating MS specifically.

In Canada and Europe, there is a pharmaceutical preparation available that mixes CBD and THC at a 1:1 ratio.

This product has been approved for treating both spasticity and neuropathic pain commonly associated with MS.

Results of this ongoing study show that the spray, which can be self-administered, helps to improve sleep, reduce muscle spasms, and treat neuropathic spasticity and pain.

As always, our team at Enecta advise that anybody thinking of supplementing with CBD or using cannabis to treat a neurological condition speak with their doctor first.

Your safety is our number one priority, and sometimes, CBD and medical cannabis can disrupt or interact with ongoing medications that may be prescribed.

Stay safe and feel free to contact our customer care team with any additional questions.