Smoking marijuana may reduce
certain symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis, according to a new small
study published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
certain symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis, according to a new small
study published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Researchers from the University of
California at San Diego School of Medicine conducted a double blind, controlled
clinical trial that included 30 participants who had multiple sclerosis. The
scientists hoped to understand whether smoked cannabis reduces symptoms of
spasticity, a common symptom of the disease that refers to stiffness and
involuntary muscle spasms.
California at San Diego School of Medicine conducted a double blind, controlled
clinical trial that included 30 participants who had multiple sclerosis. The
scientists hoped to understand whether smoked cannabis reduces symptoms of
spasticity, a common symptom of the disease that refers to stiffness and
involuntary muscle spasms.
While most past trials have
focused on the effects of a pill-form of cannabis, researchers wanted to see
specifically whether a smoked form of the drug has a beneficial effect.
focused on the effects of a pill-form of cannabis, researchers wanted to see
specifically whether a smoked form of the drug has a beneficial effect.
“Smoking cannabis was indeed
superior to the placebo in reducing spasticity and pain, but that certainly
came at a price,” said Dr. Judy Corey-Bloom, director of the Multiple
Sclerosis Center at UC San Diego and lead author of the study.
superior to the placebo in reducing spasticity and pain, but that certainly
came at a price,” said Dr. Judy Corey-Bloom, director of the Multiple
Sclerosis Center at UC San Diego and lead author of the study.
Patients experienced less pain after
smoking, but also experienced fatigue, impairment of cognitive function,
attention and concentration.
smoking, but also experienced fatigue, impairment of cognitive function,
attention and concentration.
“There can be a lot of
sources of pain with MS, from that pins and needles and burning feeling, but
also the pain from muscle stiffness,” said Corey-Bloom. “It’s
important for patients to know that pain can be treatable.”
sources of pain with MS, from that pins and needles and burning feeling, but
also the pain from muscle stiffness,” said Corey-Bloom. “It’s
important for patients to know that pain can be treatable.”
..
Comments are appreciated. Note that All comments are moderated
If not yet receiving our weekly e-Newsletter – Click here to: REGISTER –
so that you can be kept up to date with MS News and Information
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LIKE this BLOG? – Please click the LIKE button top left
so that you can be kept up to date with MS News and Information
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LIKE this BLOG? – Please click the LIKE button top left
…………………………
Visit our MS Learning Channel on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/msviewsandnews
