Multiple Sclerosis and Marijuana

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Multiple Sclerosis
Clinical and anecdotal reports of cannabinoids' ability to reduce MS-related symptoms such as pain, spasticity, depression, fatigue, and incontinence are plentiful in the scientific literature[1-12] — leading many MS-associated patient organizations, including the Multiple Sclerosis Societies of Britain and Canada, to take positions in favor of the drug's prescription use.[13] Patients with multiple sclerosis typically report engaging in cannabis therapy[14], with one survey indicating that nearly one in two MS patients use the drug therapeutically.[15]

Recent clinical and preclinical studies also suggest that cannabinoids may inhibit MS progression. Writing in the July 2003 issue of the journal Brain, investigators at the University College of London's Institute of Neurology reported that administration of the synthetic cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 provided "significant neuroprotection" in an animal model of multiple sclerosis. "The results of this study are important because they suggest that in addition to symptom management, ... cannabis may also slow the neurodegenerative processes that ultimately lead to chronic disability in multiple sclerosis and probably other disease," researchers concluded.
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The Author at the Norml Library:
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For patients and their physicians, let this report serve as a primer for those who are considering using or recommending medicinal cannabis. For others, let this report serve as an introduction to the broad range of emerging clinical applications for cannabis and its various compounds.

Paul Armentano
Deputy Director
NORML | NORML Foundation
Washington, DC
January 24, 2008

* The author would like to acknowledge Drs. Dale Gieringer, Gregory Carter, Steven Karch, and Mitch Earleywine, as well as NORML interns John Lucy, Christopher Rasmussen, and Rita Bowles, for providing research assistance for this report. The NORML Foundation would also like to acknowledge Dale Gieringer, Paul Kuhn, and Richard Wolfe for their financial contributions toward the publication of this report.

** Important and timely publications such as this are only made possible when concerned citizens become involved with NORML. For more information on joining NORML or making a donation, please visit: http://www.norml.org/join. Tax deductible donations in support of NORML's public education campaigns should be made payable to the NORML Foundation.
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Placed by the Channel owner:

"Prohibition...goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded." -- Abraham Lincoln December 1840

Category:

Education

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• multiple
• sclerosis
• research
• medical
• marijuana
• pot
• ganja
• reefer
• norml
• nc420reform
• education
• medicine
• north
• carolina
• maryjane
• spliff
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• pain

[NC420Reform]

@blobvision Well said and very true.

[blobvision]

drug laws are basically a war against people. it doesn't matter to the government that alcohol and tobacco is worse for you than pot, even with research proving this. they don't care that pot has many medical uses for sick patients with disabling diseases. drug laws are a type of slavery based on prejudice and a desire to control people, which it's only benefits are that it inflames violence and doesn't stop drug use.