When Oklahoma legalized medical cannabis, they gave physicians the power to prescribe it as they saw fit. Today, one common reason that doctors recommend cannabis is multiple sclerosis (MS). But what does science say about using cannabis for MS? In this post, we’ll try to answer that question with help from some experts at an Oklahoma City cannabis dispensary.
Using Cannabis for MS: Possibilities According to an Oklahoma City Cannabis Dispensary
Below, we’ll explore the relationship between medical marijuana and MS. First, we’ll cover what MS is. Then, we’ll discuss what medical cannabis may be able to do to help MS patients.
What is MS?
Multiple Sclerosis is a type of neurological degenerative disease. While researchers aren’t exactly sure what causes MS, they believe it to be a complex array of factors. Genetic background, infectious agents, and environmental factors all appear to have a part to play in the development and progression of MS.
MS is a chronic disease, meaning that once it starts, it will continue progressing. In MS, patients’ nerve cell sheaths begin to deteriorate, which can trigger both mental and physical symptoms.
Physical symptoms generally include high muscle tension and spasticity. In other words, muscles remain tight and jerky. MS may also leave patients mentally disabled. These symptoms can be debilitating, leaving those suffering from MS unable to live independently.
Currently, no cure exists for MS. Instead, doctors focus on alleviating the condition’s symptoms. Significant focus also goes into halting the condition’s progression. To that end, doctors prescribe several different types of medications. Most of these medications focus on reducing inflammation, since MS appears to arise from too much swelling.
How can Medical Cannabis Help MS?
Doctors nationwide may be overlooking something that can help MS patients, though. Research shows that several different types of medical marijuana appeared to be effective at reducing spasticity. This means that cannabis may relax patients’ muscles, soothing the jerky, sudden motions common among MS patients.
That same research appears to show that orally-consumed cannabis appears to be more effective at relief than other forms of medical marijuana. While that is fascinating and useful information, it’s also to be expected.
Orally-consumed cannabis can pass between the blood-brain barrier, while other forms of marijuana can’t. As a result, it tends to have more potent and longer-lasting effects than inhaled cannabis does.
One of the reasons that medical marijuana may alleviate the symptoms of MS is the plant’s possible neuroprotective properties. The term “neuroprotective” applies to any substance that can help protect or regenerate nerve tissue. Medical cannabis appears to be one of these substances, which could explain why it may provide symptom relief benefits to some MS patients.
Unfortunately, while cannabis does appear to have a positive effect for MS patients, the US healthcare community remains divided. However, that’s not the worldwide consensus. Research from areas outside the US have shown more promise.
In the UK, for example, research from the Medical Research Council (the British equivalent of the American National Institute of Health) suggests that patients who took medical cannabis reported less pain and spasticity from their MS symptoms.
Ultimately, medical cannabis could have a role to play in helping MS patients. However, we’re going to need more research before we can make any definitive conclusions. Until then, medical cannabis patients may keep legally using the plant to alleviate their MS.
Shop at This Oklahoma City Cannabis Dispensary for Products that May Help MS
Think you or someone you love may be able to benefit from adding medical cannabis to their regimen? At this Oklahoma City cannabis dispensary, it’s easy to find the infused products you need when you need them.
