Can cannabidiol (CBD) help treat multiple sclerosis? It is one of those questions that are in front of multiple sclerosis experts and researchers who are trying to find answers. Much of the research on the treatment of multiple sclerosis has looked at how CBD and cannabis can potentially treat this disorder. And the evidence we have so far is promising.
Studies suggest that CBD can help treat many of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, including spasticity, mobility problems, muscle pain, and neuropathic pain. There are also studies suggesting that CBD may have neuroprotective qualities. Some say that CBD can help treat neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis. People have started using CBD oil after finding that it is very beneficial for neurological health. Therefore, we can find bottle boxes of CBD oils in different sizes like 60ml bottle boxes.
What is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system (CNS). It is a body system made up of the brain and spinal cord. In multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks the fatty substance (myelin) that covers and protects nerve fibers in the CNS. When this protective substance is damaged, it causes communication problems between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body.
Over time, this lack of myelin can lead to permanent nerve damage in the CNS. MS symptoms can vary widely, depending on which nerves are affected by MS and how much damage has been done. How MS presents over time can also vary greatly from person to person. For some, MS symptoms come and go (relapsing-remitting MS or RRMS). For others, MS symptoms can get steadily worse over time (primary progressive MS, or PPMS). Some common symptoms of multiple sclerosis include:
- Numbness and tingling
- Stiffness and weakness
- Muscle spasms
- Fatigue and sleepiness
Mobility problems, including:
- Clumsiness
- Ataxia (balance and coordination problems)
- Tremors
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Pain
- Cognitive difficulty or impairment
- Depression and anxiety
- Bladder and bowel problems.
- Difficulty speaking and swallowing.
Vision problems, including:
- Temporary blindness
- Eye pain
- Visual flashes
- Double vision
- Color blindness
What causes multiple sclerosis?
Unfortunately, scientists have not discovered the exact cause of multiple sclerosis. Research suggests that MS is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s immune system attacks their central nervous system, but there is no clear cause for this autoimmune response. MS is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Can you cure MS?
No, it is not possible, so treating MS involves managing elements of the disease. Some treatments focus on speeding up the recovery time from an MS attack, slowing down the progression of the disease, and treating symptoms specific to MS.
Research on the use of CBD to treat multiple sclerosis
There has been a lot of international research on the use of medical marijuana and CBD to treat multiple sclerosis, much of which is very promising. Promising enough that in 2014 a Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology recommended that doctors offer oral cannabis extract, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or Sativex (nabiximols) for certain MS symptoms.
Several studies on the use of cannabis plants and CBD suggest that they can help relieve spasticity, reduce muscle pain, improve mobility, protect against inflammation, and relieve neuropathic pain. Below, we will look at some of the more prominent studies on this topic, focusing on what they say about treating specific symptoms.
CBD and protection against inflammation
Although doctors and medical researchers do not know exactly what causes multiple sclerosis, the experts accept it generally that it is an inflammatory disease. It can be why some people with MS say that CBD, a cannabinoid that may have anti-inflammatory properties, helps relieve their symptoms. Numerous studies suggest that CBD may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Some other studies suggest that these properties may combine to create a neuroprotective effect.
It is one of the main reasons why so much research has been done on CBD to treat MS. MS progression is thought to occur when nerves in the CNS become inflame, lose their covering, and become damage. Many researchers are taking interest in whether CBD will help combat this process due to its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. While more research is needed, some recent studies suggest that CBD may have neuroprotective benefits that can benefit people with neurological diseases such as MS, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
CBD and improved mobility
Some studies suggest that cannabidiol can improve mobility and muscle tone in people with multiple sclerosis. A review published in a 2018 issue of Frontiers in Neurology posits that these effects may occur due to CBD’s potential ability to reduce fatigue, pain, and spasticity, which the authors concluded can ultimately improve mobility in patients with MS. Ingredients and how to use the product details mentioned on custom bottle packaging boxes.
THC, CBD, and reduced spasticity
Some studies suggest that the joint use of THC and CBD can effectively reduce muscle spasticity, including severe spasticity in people with refractory MS. At the 2019 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, MS researchers presented the findings of a multicenter study looking at real-life, long-term efficacy outcomes of using a THC: CBD oral spray for spasticity severe MS.
Their study found that 81.4% of 1,845 participants improved their spasticity symptoms. This study is just one of several studies suggesting that Sativex (a 1:1 THC: CBD oral spray) may improve spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients. Note that some studies suggest that CBD alone can improve spasticity. However, many more studies have looked at the use of Sativex, so we can expect more data that will help us cure multiple sclerosis more effectively.
