Marijuana Benefits

Multiple Sclerosis & Medical Marijuana

Multiple sclerosis (MS), is a disease of the nervous system where the insulating cover of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord nerve cells are damaged, resulting in the dysfunction of nervous system communications. MS symptoms and conditions are both physical and mental.

"THC (a major component in Medical Marijuana) slows progression in people with primary-progressive or secondary-progressive MS."

-- Dr. John Zajicek (Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry)

In early stage MS, symptoms may disappear, however, in advanced conditions, permanent neurological damage results. While the cause isn't perfectly understood, nerve coatings are known to be damaged by either a defective immune system response or metabolic defect in the regeneration of myelin-nerve-coating-producing cells.

Symptoms of MS

Brain Balance problems, speech problems, coordination, tremors

Motor Muscle weakness, spasticity paralysis, vision problems, bladder, bowel problems

Sensory Altered sensation, numbness, prickling, burning sensation

Medical Cannabis and MS

Current pharmacological treatment of MS does not offer a cure and primarily treats symptoms such as; spasticity, pain, fatigue, bladder problems and depression.

Due to the ineffectiveness and adverse side effects of available pharmaceutical drugs, many MS physicians and patients are seeking out alternative therapies.

Cannabinoids, the active ingredients in Medical Marijuana, have been shown to control many aspects of MS disease and its progression. Cannabis affects and modulates brain receptors that control pain, spasms, spasticity, and incontinence. Recent research indicates that Cannabinoids reduces neurodegeneration and autoimmune dysfunction in animal models.

“The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS — or by the harsh drugs sometimes used to treat them. And it can do so with remarkable safety. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day.“

-- Dr. Joycelyn Elders, MD, former US Surgeon General

Facts and Figures