Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It WorksBenefitsSide EffectsInstructions For Use
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Works
Benefits
Side Effects
Instructions For Use
Medical marijuanahas been used for a variety of conditions to help with pain,spasticity(abnormal muscle tightness), nausea, and other problems, and some people living withmultiple 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.
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Why Cannabis Might Help With MS
Cannabis, or marijuana, has more than 80 chemical compounds calledcannabinoidsin it. The most commonly known ones are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol(THC) andcannabidiol(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 milderform of MSand 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:
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:
Pros and Cons of Medical Marijuana
Do Not Drive While Using CannabisIt is illegal and dangerous to drive under the influence of cannabis—even medical marijuana.
Do Not Drive While Using Cannabis
It is illegal and dangerous to drive under the influence of cannabis—even medical marijuana.
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:
These are prescription-only drugs and are not available over the counter (without a prescription).
Dosage
Always Discuss Dosage With Your Healthcare ProviderThis may vary depending on your symptoms and the specific drug your healthcare provider has prescribed. Your healthcare provider will go over your medication with you and follow clinical dosing guidelines.
Always Discuss Dosage With Your Healthcare Provider
This may vary depending on your symptoms and the specific drug your healthcare provider has prescribed. Your healthcare provider will go over your medication with you and follow clinical dosing guidelines.
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 ofschizophrenia.
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 forcardiovascular 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.
Federal Employee ConsiderationsFederal law still prohibits use of cannabis, even if your state laws do not. Therefore, some federal employees are not exempt from workplace rules relating to cannabis use.
Federal Employee Considerations
Federal law still prohibits use of cannabis, even if your state laws do not. Therefore, some federal employees are not exempt from workplace rules relating to cannabis 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.
The Best Alternative Remedies for Multiple Sclerosis
Frequently Asked Questions
Not every state has legalized medical marijuana. If your state has not, then you cannot legally get it. States also have laws as to where you can fill a prescription.
If you do live in a state where cannabis is legal for certain medical conditions and your healthcare provider deems it medically necessary for your MS, they can prescribe it for you.
Learn MoreHow to Talk to Your Doctor About Marijuana
Studies have found that cannabis helps with self-reported muscle spasticity, but more data is needed.
Marijuana has been found to potentially help with overactive bladder (OAB). With OAB symptoms, the bladder contracts with no warning, making a person feel they have to urinate immediately, and sometimes urine sneaks through.Cannabis may interfere with these signals. However, this has not been found to be clinically significant in various studies in those living with MS.
Yes, it can. Multiple studies have found that many people living with MS have reported a reduction in pain while using medical marijuana and reduced amounts of pain medication. This can vary among individuals, depending on how severe your disease is.
CBD is a compound found in cannabis. It is a single compound, and marijuana is a cannabis plant containing many different compounds, including CBD and THC.Learn MoreWhat Are the Benefits of CBD for Multiple Sclerosis?
CBD is a compound found in cannabis. It is a single compound, and marijuana is a cannabis plant containing many different compounds, including CBD and THC.
Learn MoreWhat Are the Benefits of CBD for Multiple Sclerosis?
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.What you need to know (and what we’re working to find out) about products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including CBD.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Cannabis (marijuana).Yadav V, Bever C Jr, Bowen J, et al.Summary of evidence-based guideline: Complementary and alternative medicine in multiple sclerosis: report of the guideline development subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.Neurology. 2014;82(12):1083-1092. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000000250Crowson C, Rice J, Cameron M.Cannabis for multiple sclerosis symptoms.Guarnaccia JB, Khan A, Ayettey R, Treu JA, Comerford B, Njike VY.Patterns of medical cannabis use among patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. 2021;50. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2021.102830Mayo Clinic.Marijuana.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA and cannabis: research and drug approval process.Bhaskar A, Bell A, Boivin M, Briques W, et al.Consensus recommendations on dosing and administration of medical cannabis to treat chronic pain: results of a modified Delphi process.Journal of Cannabis Research. 2021; 3,22. doi:10.1186/s42238-021-00073-1Connell K.Can cannabis help an overactive bladder? Maybe. University of Colorado Urogynecology.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.What you need to know (and what we’re working to find out) about products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including CBD.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Cannabis (marijuana).Yadav V, Bever C Jr, Bowen J, et al.Summary of evidence-based guideline: Complementary and alternative medicine in multiple sclerosis: report of the guideline development subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.Neurology. 2014;82(12):1083-1092. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000000250Crowson C, Rice J, Cameron M.Cannabis for multiple sclerosis symptoms.Guarnaccia JB, Khan A, Ayettey R, Treu JA, Comerford B, Njike VY.Patterns of medical cannabis use among patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. 2021;50. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2021.102830Mayo Clinic.Marijuana.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA and cannabis: research and drug approval process.Bhaskar A, Bell A, Boivin M, Briques W, et al.Consensus recommendations on dosing and administration of medical cannabis to treat chronic pain: results of a modified Delphi process.Journal of Cannabis Research. 2021; 3,22. doi:10.1186/s42238-021-00073-1Connell K.Can cannabis help an overactive bladder? Maybe. University of Colorado Urogynecology.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.What you need to know (and what we’re working to find out) about products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including CBD.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Cannabis (marijuana).Yadav V, Bever C Jr, Bowen J, et al.Summary of evidence-based guideline: Complementary and alternative medicine in multiple sclerosis: report of the guideline development subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.Neurology. 2014;82(12):1083-1092. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000000250Crowson C, Rice J, Cameron M.Cannabis for multiple sclerosis symptoms.Guarnaccia JB, Khan A, Ayettey R, Treu JA, Comerford B, Njike VY.Patterns of medical cannabis use among patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. 2021;50. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2021.102830Mayo Clinic.Marijuana.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA and cannabis: research and drug approval process.Bhaskar A, Bell A, Boivin M, Briques W, et al.Consensus recommendations on dosing and administration of medical cannabis to treat chronic pain: results of a modified Delphi process.Journal of Cannabis Research. 2021; 3,22. doi:10.1186/s42238-021-00073-1Connell K.Can cannabis help an overactive bladder? Maybe. University of Colorado Urogynecology.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.What you need to know (and what we’re working to find out) about products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including CBD.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Cannabis (marijuana).
Yadav V, Bever C Jr, Bowen J, et al.Summary of evidence-based guideline: Complementary and alternative medicine in multiple sclerosis: report of the guideline development subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.Neurology. 2014;82(12):1083-1092. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000000250
Crowson C, Rice J, Cameron M.Cannabis for multiple sclerosis symptoms.
Guarnaccia JB, Khan A, Ayettey R, Treu JA, Comerford B, Njike VY.Patterns of medical cannabis use among patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. 2021;50. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2021.102830
Mayo Clinic.Marijuana.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA and cannabis: research and drug approval process.
Bhaskar A, Bell A, Boivin M, Briques W, et al.Consensus recommendations on dosing and administration of medical cannabis to treat chronic pain: results of a modified Delphi process.Journal of Cannabis Research. 2021; 3,22. doi:10.1186/s42238-021-00073-1
Connell K.Can cannabis help an overactive bladder? Maybe. University of Colorado Urogynecology.
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