Marijuana Benefits

Spasticity & Medical Marijuana

Spasticity is a clinical condition that can cause paralysis, hyper tendon and muscle reflex activity.

Clonus is a condition that often coexists with Spasticity and features involuntary, rhythmic, muscular contractions and relaxations.

Spasticity results from the dysfunctional performance of motor neurons, which result in aberrant skeletal muscle performance. Muscles are unusually tight, lack relaxation and contract without conscious control. Spasticity results, in part, from an oversupply of the bio-chemical GABA, which causes motor neurons to fire excessively and effects involuntary muscle contraction.

Medical Cannabis and Spasticity

The historic record shows that Medical Marijuana was used for centuries to treat mental and physical tension. Recent research shows that Cannabis active constituents, Cannabinoids, interact with the brain and body's cellular receptors that guide many physiological functions, including the muscle control system that generates the condition of Spasticity.

How Drugs Work to Control Spasticity

Spasticity is commonly treated with the drug Baclofen, which blocks GABA (an amino acid neurotransmitter) from receptors, reducing errant neuron firing and abnormal muscle contraction.

Unfortunately Baclofen has too many side effects such as; vomiting, weakness, sedation, somnolence, respiratory depression, seizures, unusual pupil size, dizziness,headaches, itching, hypothermia, bradycardia, hypertension, hyporeflexia, coma, and death.

Research - Clinical Trials - Medical Cannabis and Spasticity

Cannabinoids in the management of Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis

"The emerging literature on the effects of endocannabinoids and new cannabinoid-derived molecules on MS could lead to the development of promising models for Therapy and management of disabling symptoms of the disease."

Cannabinoids in the treatment of pain and Spasticity in multiple sclerosis.

"There is a large amount of evidence to support the view that the psychoactive ingredient in Cannabis, d9- THC, and Cannabinoids in general, can reduce muscle Spasticity and pain.."

Clinical experiences with Cannabinoids in Spasticity management in multiple sclerosis.

"THC/CBD appears to be a good alternative to standard treatment as it improves refractory Spasticity in MS and has an acceptable toxicity profile. THC/CBD was effective in 80% of the patients at a median dose of 5 (2-10) inhalations/day."