A report soon to be published in the January 2012 issue of Pharmacology & Therapeutics
shares promising results from clinical trials that show how ingested cannabis acts as a novel therapeutic agent in Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders, including epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s (AD), Parkinson’s(PD), Huntington’s Disease (HD).
Cannabis has been used for thousands of years as a medical treatment, with historical Chinese and Indian records listing in detail the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-emetic and anti-convulsant properties of marijuana. In fact, cannabis was included in many pharmaceutical encyclopedias as an effective therapeutic agent until governments stepped in and created prohibition of its use.
Restrictions on widespread therapeutic use of cannabis largely came into play after concern that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a predominant component of cannabis, caused negative and psychotropic side effects. However researchers from the UK have shown that there are many forms of phytocannabinoids (pCBs) that can be used effectively as treatment to many CNS disorders.
Sativex is one such example of a marijuana-based medicine. Sativex is the first medicine derived from whole cannabis plant extracts to be licensed in Canada, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, Spain and the UK. Sativex has been clinically proven to be effective in treating pain and spasticity in MS patients, which set the precedent for the licensed use of pCBs as a recognized and legal medical treatment in some countries.
Researchers of this study found that the first reference to the muscle relaxant properties of cannabis could be found as early as the 9th century A.D., with reference to other medicinal uses growing throughout the century. After a small-scale human clinical trial between 1983-2002 showed beneficial results to MS patients using cannabis, the way was paved for further trials to be conducted. Subsequent studies have shown cannabis to also be effective with, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease.
MS is a particularly painful, chronic, and progressive disease most often diagnosed in young adults. Patients with MS experience acute attacks with months or years of remission in between. However, as the patient ages, the attacks become more severe, frequent and painful. The use of cannabis in every single clinical trial investigating its therapeutic qualities has demonstrated that it not only helps with symptom control and decreasing pain and neuroinflammation, but survival rates are extended as well.
The increasing clinical evidence that cannabis can be of benefit in treating MS as well as
other CNS disorders merits further research into how pCBs can be safe to use pharmacologically. All positive results from trials such as these only help to lower the barriers of negative societal perceptions associated with the use of marijuana-based medicines. The hope is that one day such evidence will lead to high quality medical marijuana being available legally for widespread use for those suffering from serious illnesses.
Really great site and good info! I’m glad I found you! Thanks
It’s rare to find skillful individuals within this issue, you seem to understand what you are writing on! With thanks, Almeda
I’m writing to thank you for your site. Our child has experienced a lot due to her illness. We recently turned to medical cannabis and have become believers of the strength of this plant. I do hope that someday our government will realize the positiveness of this plant as well. I know some people abuse this privilege that we have in our state, but for the ill and sick, it truly is a blessing. Thank you.
Hi! I’ve been following your website for some time now and wanted to give you a shout out from Texas! We are not a Legalized state…yet, but just wanted to say keep up the good work! Thanks
I personally have used medical marijuana now for35 yrs because of my m.s.It has made my life worth living when nothing else worked.I total support this ‘medicine’ because of all the great help it does for people that have used doctor medicine,got addicted,and had nothing else to fall back on.
I have just started using MMJ for Fibromyalgia which is working great. With the new research advising that Fibro has been found to be a Central Nervous system disorder that is life long it gives me hope that this plant may be the answer for me at least. Hopefully the governments will change there mind on marijuana and make it legal even if it is just for medical reasons.
Hi last year I had a bad motorbike accident where i was run over by 2 cars. I have problems still where my brain isn’t talking to my body well enough. Leaving me with legs that feel cold all the time, amongst other problems. Does anyone know if medicinal cannabis oil will help my brain talk to my body normally?
Nicholas,
Studies have shown the correct formulation of cannabis tincture can help to repair the brain. In regard to you specific case, you would need to speak with our nurse. You can find her shcedule here if you are interested.
UPG
I have peripheral neuropathy in my feet. It cannot be connected to any particular cause. No diabetes, injury or anything else. I went to bed one night and when I woke up the next things I knew my feet felt like they were burning, sharpe thing stabbing my feet, sensitivity and severe pain.
I have tried various medications and none have worked. However, about a year ago I was out of my home state in another state and heard marijuana helped with neuropathy. Therefore, I smoked a rolled cigarette and only after the first couple of inhales of the marijuana, I felt the pain in my feet stopping. After a couple of more inhales, the neuropathy pain stopped (100%). I couldn’t believe it but this proves to me that marijuana works for me at the (100%) level for between 4-6 hours. There must be more studies done on marijuana as a legal medication, and approved for use by any doctor to prescribe this medication ASAP. It will also have to be legalized by the federal and state governments. This comes a plant just like morphine does. I have worked in a field for 35 years that gave me daily access to people who are on various illegal narcotics including marijuana. The person on marijuana was not violent but was normally very calm. Please get the studies done for pain relief overall and for neuropathy. We have to get it legalized at least for use by patient whom it will be used as a normal prescription medication. It worked to relive the pain in my feet totally.