CBD And Multiple Sclerosis: Is It Really Effective?
Cannabidiol or CBD, one of the cannabinoids found in hemp, has become a hot topic in the health and wellness industry, especially for relieving symptoms of illnesses for which treatments show mixed results.
The most specific example is multiple sclerosis or MS. After the frequent use of cannabis in MS patients was noted, researchers looked at the effects of cannabis, and more specifically cannabidiol oil, on the disease.
Since CBD oil has no psychoactive effects, it offers hope of treating multiple sclerosis symptoms through cannabis without the effects of this drug. But does CBD really work for multiple sclerosis? Is it really proven to improve patients' condition or is it just a new trend that will fade away?
According to numerous scientific studies, cannabidiol oil has been shown to be very effective in people with multiple sclerosis, especially for its therapeutic properties on the central nervous system. Supports the brain's immune system reactions, thereby reducing muscle pain and stiffness, while dramatically improving sleep quality.
It also has a beneficial effect on mental health and depression. To understand how CBD works оn MS, let's take a closer look at these two concepts, as well as their relationship.
Cannabidiol oil and its benefits
Cannabidiol oil is one of the identified cannabinoids in cannabis. When ingested, it acts on receptors in the body like the other more well-known cannabinoid, Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.
Unlike THC, CBD has a relaxing but non-psychoactive effect and is even believed to have therapeutic benefits due to its many properties. In fact, research in this area is advancing and every year new scientific studies are discovered that confirm the therapeutic benefits of CBD in many symptoms.
It is believed to have anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidepressant effects. In particular, it is known to have very encouraging effects on some severe forms of epilepsy and diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's or fibromyalgia.
Keep in mind that each strain of cannabis provides a different concentration of cannabinoids like CBD or THC, and therefore different benefits..
What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that affects the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the immune system designed to fight viruses and bacteria instead attacks myelin, the substance that protects nerve fibers in the brain and helps nerve impulses travel from the brain to different parts of the body.
This attack on the myelin interrupts the flow of information from the nervous system to different parts of the body and damages the normal functioning of the body. MS patients experience relapses, which are a temporary exacerbation of their disease, with the appearance of new symptoms or worsening of existing ones.
There are 3 types of MS (relapsing remitting, secondary progressive and primary progressive) with different types of symptoms and levels of severity. MS is a disease that worsens over time and can cause irreversible disability in the medium or long term.
The positive effects of cannabidiol oil in multiple sclerosis
Studies in multiple sclerosis patients support some improvement in their condition when exposed to cannabinoids found in cannabis, such as CBD. Let's take a look at the research results.
Two American scientific studies were conducted 2003 and 2008 on the endocannabinoid system, the internal communication system of the human body, and diseases related to the central nervous system, including multiple sclerosis.
Their findings indicate that cannabidiol oil has some potential to relieve pain, muscle spasms, and spasticity in patients. Stimulation of the CB(1) and CB(2) cannabinoid receptors may have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive potential, as the endocannabinoid system controls the level of neurodegeneration that occurs after inflammation.
Recent studies (2011, 2015 and 2018) have shown that cannabinoids are effective not only in relieving symptoms, but also as neuroprotective agents that can slow the progression of the disease and thus delay the onset of symptoms.
They confirm, therefore, the the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol oil in pathologies with an inflammatory component.
Conclusion
In short, the improvement that CBD oil is making for people with MS is:
- Reduced spasticity and cramps
- Neuropathic pain reduction
- Reduce anxiety and inflammation
- Improvement of motor deficits
- Improve sleep and general well-being
The important thing to keep in mind is that this drug is a raw material that has been shown to be effective in relieving the symptoms of inflammatory diseases. Research in this area is promising and continues to yield new information.
