Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

The debilitating, well known disease diagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is not contracted, nor inherited, but affects over 2.9 million people globally.  Risk factors include gender, genetics, geography and ethnicity.  “It affects women two to three times as often as men. Almost one million people in the United States have MS, making it one of the most common causes of neurological disability among young adults in North America.”  Patients experiences this disease in various ways resulting in a variety of associated symptoms.  The onset of MS typically occurs between the ages of 20-40 and is predominantly found in Caucasian women, however, it is a global disease and can stretch beyond the boundaries of typical factors.  The actual cause of MS is a mystery and a combination of factors, including environmental, geographic, nicotine-laced cigarette smoking, obesity and lack of Vitamin D, or rays of sunshine are believed to be strong contributing factors to overall risk. Additionally, “Epstein-Bar Virus (EBV), the virus that causes mononucleosis (mono), has received significant attention in recent years. A growing number of research findings indicate that previous infection with EBV contributes to the risk of developing MS.”

 

Currently phytocannabinoids are being prescribed by physicians, such as Dr. Aaron Boster, who is not only a world-renowned neurologist specializing in MS, but also a leading expert in medical marijuana.  He is one of many doctors who realize the relief factors that phytocannabinoids offer in treating multiple conditions including MS and therefore prescribes medical marijuana to his patients.  Studies have found that these natural molecules may treat a wide range of the symptoms associated with MS. Cannabinoids flow through receptors in the ECS pathway and work to regulate a number of activities, including mood, memory, sleep, inflammation and appetite.  Medical marijuana patients often report finding relief from their MS symptoms after consumption, like Pink P. who wrote a rave review of Kush Mints, “I have MS and I’ve been in search of the best pain relief flower…”

 

Multiple Sclerosis symptoms include:

• Chronic pain
• Spasticity
• Stiff Muscles
• Sleep disorders
• Numbness or weakness in one or more limbs that typically occurs on one side of your body at a time
• Tingling
• Tremors
• Electric-shock sensations that occur with certain neck movements, especially bending the neck forward (Lhermitte sign)
• Lack of coordination (ataxia)
• Unsteady gait or inability to walk
• Partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye at a time, often with pain during eye movement
• Prolonged double vision
• Blurry vision
• Vertigo
• Problems with sexual, bowel and bladder function
• Chronic Fatigue
• Slurred speech
• Cognitive problems
• Mood disturbances

Strains like Candyland, Sour Tsunami, Wedding Cake and Harlequin also offer a high concentration of non-psychoactive cannabinoids like CBD and CBG. Patients use a variety of methods to dose medical marijuana including edibles, tinctures and flower.  On January 6, 2021, Shaun J. shared his experience with a tincture.  He wrote, “Love it! Taste great, and the texture is also good. Great for pain relief, sleep issues, and anxiety. I would start with about half a dropper or less under the tongue. Also good for balancing The Endocannabinoid system (ECS), also taste great (in) coffee or tea. Very medicinal product.”  If you’re looking to treat MS symptoms, certain types of CBD may be more helpful for certain symptoms, says Dr. Thrower. “I have found oral hemp-based CBD oils to be helpful for sleep and anxiety in MS. Topical CBD may help with joint pain and muscle tightness,” he says.

Although there is no known cure for MS, there are a vast array of pharmaceutical compounds, also known as “disease modifying therapies,” that are prescribed to reduce numerous relapse episodes, delay the progression of disability and limit new disease activity.  These include:

Injectable medications

Avonex®

Betaseron®

Copaxone®

Extavia®

Glatiramer Acetate Injection

Glatopa®

Kesimpta®

Plegridy®

Rebif®

Oral medications

Aubagio®

Bafiertam™

Dimethyl Fumarate

Gilenya®

Mavenclad®

Mayzent®

Ponvory™

Tascenso ODT®

Tecfidera®

Vumerity®

Zeposia®

Infused medications

Briumvi™

Lemtrada®

Novantrone®

Ocrevus®

Tyruko®

Tysabri®

Medical marijuana is available by prescription with a medical marijuana card and comes in both botanical and synthetic forms.  Botanicals are a variety of cannabis products that are derived from the cannabis plant. Cannabis can be taken via inhalation, orally/edible with tinctures and extracts. There are also topical creams and ointments available for sore muscles.  These products vary in their concentration and proportions of cannabinoids and may be labeled with this information.  Synthetic cannabinoids are compounds that are developed in a lab.  Currently, the FDA has approved 2 synthetic cannabinoid products with specific rules for prescribing:

• Dronabinol (Marinol®) –consists of synthetic THC suspended in sesame oil and sold in capsules approved for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and as an appetite stimulant in patients with AIDS.
• Nabilone (Cesamet®) – mimics THC and comes in capsules for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting