Multiple Sclerosis and Medical Marijuana Treatments
In early 2016, researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus completed a study that proved the long-held contention that medical marijuana can be effective in the treatment of migraines. This study is the first of its kind and here is why. Due to federal regulations, studies of this nature in U.S. have been restricted since cannabis could not be obtained for research purposes. While many migraine and headache sufferers have touted the benefits of marijuana for alleviating their pain and reducing the frequency of their episodes, this is the first time scientific proof has been able to substantiate their claims.
There is also much to be said about the benefits of medical marijuana for multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers. For those affected by MS, Mary Jane can be an effective treatment on many levels. For starters, cannabis is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, which has been used for thousands of years by alchemists, herbalists, and physicians throughout the world. In fact, medical marijuana’s efficacy in reducing MS-related inflammation has been well-researched and resulted in the world’s first market-approved pharmaceutical, Sativex, based on that research.
Another benefit of cannabis is its efficacy as a pain analgesic. This not only relates to its ability to reduce pain associated with conditions, such as MS, migraines, and a variety of other debilitating illnesses and/or injuries, as well as mental health issues, but also medical marijuana’s capacity to reduce a sufferer’s immune response, as well as its ability to reduce musculoskeletal pain associated with frequent muscle spasticity and spasms. Thus, this association also demonstrates the effectiveness of marijuana as an antispasmodic.
Depression is also a common issue among MS and other chronic pain sufferers. The use of cannabis for combating mental health issues has produced mixed results. In many cases, it depends on the individual involved and their response to cannabinoids. Moreover, the endocannabinoid system is believed to play a significant role in mood regulation and affects the user’s level of satisfaction. Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that certain genetic variations in the CB1-receptors render some individuals more susceptible to the mood-elevating effects of medical marijuana.
There is also debate over which delivery and/or consumption methods are best for treatment purposes–smoking, inhaling, or ingestion of medical marijuana. Some of the treatment protocols have been dictated by what state laws allow. Many of the states that legalized cannabis for medical use have imposed very strict guidelines on the forms allowed, access to the drug, and conditions for which it is approved. These circumstances may change or improve as more states legalize medical marijuana, or cannabis becomes legalized on a federal level for medical use.
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