Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that impacts the body’s central
nervous system (CNS) including the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. MS
consists of an abnormal response of the body’s immune system. From here, the
immune system targets myelin (a substance that surrounds and insulates the
body’s nerves), and myelin gets damaged, which then produces scars (sclerosis).
These scars are believed to be the cause of the painful symptoms MS patients
experience.
Although MS causes various painful symptoms, over 85 percent of MS
patients experience spasticity. Fortunately, though, based on the studies have
been conducted on cannabis and MS so far, most indicate that cannabinoids are
associated with self-reported spasticity improvements. It has also been found
that CBD contains anti-spasm properties. Additionally, the American Academy of
Neurology has expressed that cannabis is effective for the treatment of pain
and spasticity. Then, one Israel study discovered that cannabis can safely
alleviate pain in older MS patients and those with other chronic conditions, such
as Crohn’s Disease.
Currently, 20-60 percent of MS patients consume cannabis, and many use
topical cannabis products as their primary delivery method. To help treat
muscle spasms and pain, it’s common for MS patients to use cannabis topically,
so they can apply the medicine onto specific areas of their body. To achieve
localized and rapid relief though, it’s recommended to use topical products with
one example being CanniMed’s products, from which numerous Canadian MS patients have
benefited.
