According to recent studies Cannabis is as a viable treatment for those who suffer from multiple sclerosis. At first, the improvement in symptoms observed by people suffering from multiple sclerosis given cannabinoid-based products were believed to be solely based on psychological factors, further research has shown that cannabis actually eases muscle stiffness and spasms that are common to sufferers of multiple sclerosis. The positive effects of cannabis for patients suffering from multiple sclerosis are confirmed through long-term and short-term controlled medical research studies.
Since 2003, a group comprised of scientists from Peninsula Medical School at Exeter, UK have made public the findings from a series of long-term and short-term studies about the effects of cannabis in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. The studies previously conducted involved an active involvement of about 600 patients suffering from advanced-stage sclerosis. Participants were split into two distinct groups: the first received cannabinoid substances in equal amounts, while the other group was treated with placebo-based medications for a time which lasted for 15 weeks. At the end of the study, majority of those given cannabinoids noticed significant improvement in their symptoms, experiencing less muscle pain, and experiencing less muscle spasticity (less noticeable muscle spasms). Contrary to the group receiving cannabinoid compounds for all the time during the research, those in the group that was a control (patients that received placebo medication) had no improvement in their overall health Secure .
To confirm the validity of the research findings and eliminate any doubts about the effectiveness of cannabis in relieving the symptoms of MS the study was repeated. The second study was conducted over 12 months and included participants from similar participants. This time, however, the participants were split into 3 distinct groups instead of two like in the previous study. The first group received pills of D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the active component in cannabis, the second group received natural cannabis extracts, while the third group received placebo medications.
After the study, participants were examined carefully by an expert team of physiotherapists and neurologists. The best results were achieved for patients who were part of the first study group, with the majority of patients who received the same dose of THC having significant improvements of their conditions. Patients in the second study group had minor improvements in their symptoms, whereas those who were in the third group experienced no change in their symptoms.
Although these studies strongly suggest cannabis as an effective remedy for MS However, medical researchers aren’t convinced that cannabis can be effectively used to treat of MS. After conducting further research on the subject and further studies, doctors may be able adding cannabinoid-based compounds to the treatment of MS in the near future.