Functions such as anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antioxidant and analgesic are just some of the few benefits that just a few drops of CBD oil provide us. Multiple sclerosis is a disease that at an early age can drastically reduce a person's quality of life and CBD can change that.
The components of cannabis are the most complete way to treat different conditions in the body from the same medicine. Thanks to components such as CBD and THC, it has been possible to help patients in critical states, whose quality of life had fallen to the ground. The use of cannabis for chronic diseases is a fact that is not yet correctly valued, just as many know it, others only stick with the recreational version of the plant and label it as a drug.
In this article we will see how cannabis compounds once again combat a chronic disease, significantly attenuating the symptoms and completely changing its outcome. In the long term, we will talk about the scientific research that supports this action, as well as a medicine made from cannabis compounds and used specifically to treat MS.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is nothing more than an autoimmune disease which is characterized by causing a neurological damage, attacking the protective layer of nerve fibers, which is responsible for maintaining correct electrical conductivity between neurons, resulting in the different functions of the body.
However, this condition significantly deteriorates this layer, physically causing the nerve fiber to become exposed and the direction of the electrical signals sent from the brain to different parts of the body to become uncontrolled, causing long-term physical disabilities, such as not being able to walk well without assistance or losing leg mobility completely.
When we talk about the signs and symptoms of this disease, we are referring to primarily motor conditions, such as numbness or weakness present, whether in one or more limbs, difficulty walking due to lack of coordination, tremors, sensations of shock. electric shocks in the neck, when performing movements such as leaning the neck forward, babbling, tiredness, dizziness, problems with sexual, bowel and bladder functions, as well as blurred vision, partial or complete loss of vision and double vision .
Most patients with multiple sclerosis develop a relapsing-remitting course, where they have periods with completely new symptoms or relapsesAfter this, the patient can enter a stage of remission where it can last for months or even years. Worsening of symptoms commonly ends in mobility problems, this severity varies depending on the person.
Multiple sclerosis has no cure, however, There are a series of treatments that help improve motor symptoms and therefore the quality of life of patients.
Studies carried out with CBD to combat multiple sclerosis.
A study carried out in 2005 consisted of administering a drug based on cannabis compounds (THC/CBD in equal proportions) in the form of a sublingual spray, which showed a reduction in pain and improvement in sleep disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis. On the other hand, a study involving 112 patients, carried out in the United States and the United Kingdom, showed that cannabis in its inhaled presentation was also a excellent adjuvant of pain in patients with multiple sclerosis.
A randomized double-blind study in which 50 patients with multiple sclerosis participated, they were administered cannabis, which resulted in: 37 of them obtained a fairly notable improvement in mobility and frequency of muscle spasms. On the other hand, a 2007 study, also randomized, showed that THC and CBD-based medications were quite effective for the treatment of muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis.
Another study from 2000 reported that cannabinoid receptor agonists, which included THC and R(+)- WIN 55,212, which is a synthetic agonist, considerably improved the tremors and spasticity of MS.
Complutense University of Madrid (UMC) where a study published in the journal Neuropharmacology and carried out by the group of cannabinoid researchers took place, where it was demonstrated that, in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, an improvement occurred in the progression of the disease . This was seen thanks to studying the interaction between cannabinoid compounds with endocannabinoid receptors located in neural tissue cells.
An investigation was carried out in animals with multiple sclerosis, where scientists sought to observe the role of CB" receptors and the function they had in pain, where it was demonstrated that administering a synthetic CB2 agonist could reduce it, it is also suggested that the activation of CB1, despite that a side effect was produced by the THC involved in the medication, this in turn could exert a neuroprotective effect by acting on inflammation in the myelin sheaths, which concluded that a therapy with both compounds would be more complete, which individually, regardless of the side effects it may cause.
A final study carried out at the University of Catania, Italy, focused on analyzing the data of 1.534 patients distributed in different centers dedicated to treating multiple sclerosis, concluding that after the first month receiving treatment with medicinal cannabis, More than 50% of patients reduced nocturnal cramps or spasms and others.
How does cannabis work to combat multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is considered an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease, so, by studying and discovering all the effects of the components of cannabis, we can conclude that they fit the symptoms of this disease like a glove, helping to considerably improve their motor impairment and leading the patient to improve their quality of lifeNext, we will describe some of the functions of these compounds that help in the treatment of the disease:
- Antispasmodic: As we already know, muscle spasms are one of the characteristic symptoms of multiple sclerosis, with a large percentage of patients with MS having it, causing limitations such as being able to walk well, maintain balance and sometimes even be able to speak correctly. CBD and THC together help reduce this limiting symptom, according to studies carried out.
- Abdominal pain: Sometimes, patients with multiple sclerosis present symptoms such as constipation, abdominal pain and fecal incontinence. According to studies carried out on patients with these symptoms, it was found that more than 50% of them described a reduction in symptoms when consuming cannabis, this It is due to an interaction of the compounds with CB2 receptors located in the peripheral nervous system responsible for intestinal function. This interaction can be seen in the Crohn's disease.
- Analgesic: a well-known property of CBD and which in this case is also quite useful, since pain is another of the characteristic symptoms in this disease, having a percentage of up to 70% of patients, CBD acts on certain receptors that neutralize the sensation of pain, this action is observed very well in the chronic pain.
- Anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective: As we mentioned at the beginning, inflammation turns out to be the most characteristic symptom of this disease and that is why since cannabis compounds such as CBD have anti-inflammatory properties, this symptom is considerably reduced, in addition to the neuroprotective effect that is produced by The interaction of THC on the CB1 receptor protects neurons from all damage.
Sativex for multiple sclerosis
Nabiximols or well known by its trade name, Sativex, is a preparation of compounds from cannabis, consisting of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), it is one of the first cannabis-based medications that was approved for the treatment of a disease, in this case, multiple sclerosis.
This medication was developed in order to treat muscle spasms in MS, whether moderate or severe, it contains a 1:1 amount of compounds and is administered sublingually using an aerosol. It has been shown to be effective in many studies carried out, which is why it is considered by many countries as a medical option.
It is normally used when other medications have very little effectiveness in muscle spasticity.
We finally conclude that…
Both CBD and THC are beneficial compounds in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, to eradicate or reduce the symptoms of the disease, however, some side effects could be obtained from THC, making it the best option to begin treatment is to consult with a doctor who is an expert on the subject.
So, you will be informed about the pros and cons of the medication, as well as the appropriate dosage, evaluating your needs according to the stage of the disease, and the doctor will also help you counteract the non-alarming side effects of the cannabis medication.