Someone is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis everyday in Canada. In fact, Canada has the highest rate of Multiple Sclerosis in the world according to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.
Many patients who have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) have likely heard of the effects medicinal cannabis can have on the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. While there is still much research needed to be done on the subject, studies have shown that medicinal cannabis can work to calm some of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, specifically the neuropathic pain associated with MS as well as any muscle spasticity that is a result of Multiple Sclerosis.
A study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry in 2012 concluded that MS patients who received an oral forms of medicinal cannabis over the course of 12 weeks experienced a rate of relief from muscle stiffness two times higher than the group of MS patients who had received a placebo.
Also in 2012, a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal came to a similar conclusion. 37 participants who had been diagnosed with MS were selected. 30 of those participants were given treatment involving smoked cannabis. The remaining 7 were given a placebo. The study concluded that the group who smoked cannabis produced superior results with regard to symptom and pain control versus those who were given a placebo.
More research is being done everyday around the world on the possible benefits of medicinal cannabis on Multiple Sclerosis patients. Varying strains of cannabis at different doses can reap a variety of results for patients.
Always talk to your doctor before starting a new medication regimen. Medicinal cannabis is not recommended for everyone. Speak with your doctor if you feel that you could benefit from medicinal cannabis.