Could Medical Marijuana Help Manage Your MS?

Medical marijuana has been used for a variety of conditions to help with pain, spasticity (abnormal muscle tightness), nausea, and other problems, and some people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) find symptom relief from using it.

Read on to find out more about how medical marijuana can be used for MS, as well as potential side effects, risks, and benefits.

Talk with your healthcare provider before using medical marijuana.

Why Cannabis Might Help With MS

Cannabis, or marijuana, has more than 80 chemical compounds called cannabinoids in it. The most commonly known ones are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is what gives the “high” from marijuana. It attaches to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, producing feelings of happiness, relaxation, altered sensory perception, and increased appetite.

The American Academy of Neurology published evidence-based guidelines back in 2014 about cannabinoids for MS-related symptoms. They found that people living with MS found relief for spasticity, pain, and urinary frequency. That being said, studies are still being done to assess this, with varying results.

Benefits of Marijuana for MS

A 2021 study found that people reporting the most benefit from marijuana, or improvements in two or more symptoms, were those with a milder form of MS and less disability. Those who needed help with mobility found less of a benefit from cannabis than those who did not.

Benefits of using marijuana for MS can include improvements in:

• Mood
• Pain
• Muscle cramps and spasms
• Insomnia

Participants in one study (a little less than half) reported decreasing or stopping certain medications when they used marijuana. These medications included opioid and non-opioid pain medications, benzodiazepines, and muscle relaxers.

Side Effects of Cannabis

While many people use cannabis for both recreational and medicinal purposes, it is not free of risk. Potential side effects of cannabis include:

• Cognitive impairment
• Anxiety and/or paranoia
• Dry eyes
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Sedation
• Increased appetite
• Headache
• Impaired balance/coordination
• Increased heart rate
• Possible risks to lung health (if smoked)

How to Use Cannabis for MS

Medical marijuana is different from recreational marijuana. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved one cannabis-derived drug product, Epidiolex (cannabidiol), and three synthetic cannabis-related drugs, which are:

• Marinol (dronabinol): Used to treat nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy
• Syndros (liquid dronabinol): Used to treat nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, as well as anorexia in adults with AIDS who have lost weight
• Cesamet (nabilone): Used to treat nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy in those who have not been helped by other therapies

These are prescription-only drugs and are not available over the counter (without a prescription).

Dosage

The dosage for medical cannabis can vary, depending on the person and their symptoms, as well as their overall health. For chronic pain, a typical starting dose of a CBD-predominant drug is 5 milligrams (mg) CBD twice daily, and the provider can increase the CBD-predominant drug by 10 mg every two to three days, up to 40 mg per day. They can then add THC to the dosage if need be, starting at 2.5 mg, and increasing by 2.5 mg every two to seven days for a maximum of 40 mg per day of THC.

Who Shouldn't Use It

Medical cannabis may not be for everyone. It can increase the risk of developing psychosis in those who have experienced such symptoms before and those with a family history of schizophrenia.

It may also worsen cognitive symptoms for some people with MS, like working memory, executive functioning (a set of mental processes that help a person plan, focus on, and execute goals), and information processing speed. It can also increase the risk for cardiovascular diseases, like high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke.

If you’re interested in medical cannabis, talk with your healthcare provider. Tell them about your medical and family history, and any concerns you might have. Together, you can discuss whether it would be safe for you to use.

Summary

Medical marijuana may be an option for some people living with MS. Depending on what state you live in and your specific medical situation, medical marijuana may be a beneficial tool to add to your treatment regimen. It has been shown to have positive effects on symptoms like pain and spasticity, and has allowed some people to reduce their consumption of medications like opioids and benzodiazepines.

A Word From Verywell

Medical marijuana may not be the best option for some people, and you and your healthcare provider can discuss the risks and benefits. It’s important to remember that medical marijuana is not the same as recreational marijuana, and they should not be used interchangeably.