What benefit does cannabis have for MS?

There is a wealth of anecdotal evidence, plus some clinical trial evidence, that suggests cannabis can have a lot of benefits for people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

In this blog we’ll delve a bit deeper into this subject as well as some commonly asked questions when it comes to MS and cannabis use.

How cannabis helps MSers

Cannabis comprises compounds known as cannabinoids, among them are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) which is the primary focus of therapeutic research. THC induces the psychoactive ‘high’ effect, while CBD does not – the latter chemical is the one that has been shown to have the most health benefits (hence why you can easily go out and get CBD from health shops without the psychoactive effects).

Medications containing cannabis tend to have much higher concentrations of CBD than THC, which is quite different to the kind of product someone might buy recreationally. It’s these two compounds which are thought to have the positive effects on the symptoms of health conditions such as MS.

Studies have found that people with MS taking cannabis reported better sleep than participants who were taking a placebo. Other research has reported it can help with MS pain, including central neuropathic pain – which feels like burning or pins and needles – as well as spasm pain.

Medical cannabis has also been shown to have positive effects on spasticity, which is a common MS symptom.

Medical cannabis for MS

It wasn’t until 2021 that Sativex was approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for use on the NHS in England for moderate or severe spasticity, and only if other treatments don’t work. It was approved in Wales for this same criterion in 2014, in Northern Ireland in 2021, and finally in Scotland since 2022.

Sativex is the cannabis-based medicine that is licensed in the UK, and it’s approved for treating moderate to severe spasticity where baclofen, clonazepam, gabapentin, pregabalin and tizanidine have either been shown to be ineffective or caused the patient intolerable side effects.

As medical cannabis has become legalised in the UK, many people have reported other benefits from taking it particularly around bladder issues, spasticity, pain and tremor. Sativex is usually taken by a spray on the tongue and ingested.

Prescription for cannabis

To be prescribed medical cannabis can be quite a challenge, but multiple sclerosis is one of the 3 listed conditions that are eligible for this medication. Despite this, MSers who are taking medical cannabis are few and far between because of the very strict conditions in place.

Some patients can access medical cannabis through paying privately for a prescription, although this can be unattainable for many due to the high financial cost.

Some people do still self-medicate with non-prescription cannabis by smoking it, but this method of consumption is not recommended for people with MS. This is because smoking is known to be both a risk factor for the condition and may increase the rate at which the disability progresses. Our Smoking and MS Choices booklet has a lot more information available around these connections if you’d like to learn more (just click the button below).

It’s also worth noting that over the counter/internet products you might find cannot be guaranteed good quality and may even cause more harm than good.

Are there any side effects?

Whilst clinical trials are still in their infancy for medical cannabis, the effects of cannabis have been studied – particularly around the side effects THC can produce. Product bought illegally off the street, among other things it may be cut with, often contains higher levels of THC than CBD which can lead to things like

• Psychosis
• Paranoia
• Feeling very tired / lack of motivation
• Hallucinations
• And dependency on the substance, just to name a few

It’s essential to note that individual responses to cannabis can vary, and more research is needed to fully understand its efficacy and safety for managing MS symptoms. As always, it’s crucial to consult with your healthcare professionals before incorporating cannabis or any other cannabinoid-related treatments into your regimen.

We’ve only really touched on cannabis in this blog, so if you’d like to learn more in addition to some other relevant information then take a look at our linked resources below!