Multiple Sclerosis is a lifetime debilitating disease that makes one weak. This disease affects the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves. This is an autoimmune disease that occurs when your immune system attacks the protective sheath called myelin and causes problems in communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Studies have shown that cannabinoid such as CBD can be very effective in managing the symptoms of this disease. It can also be helpful in limiting the progression of the disease. So in this article, we will discuss how CBD for Multiple Sclerosis can be a potential treatment.
Table of Contents
What is MS?
According to Mayo Clinic, Multiple Sclerosis, MS is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).
In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body. Eventually, the disease can cause the nerves themselves to deteriorate or become permanently damaged.
Symptoms of MS
The symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis are varying. They differ from person to person. These symptoms include:
Weakness:
Weakness is one of the most common symptoms of MS. The deconditioning of the muscles result in loss of strength and vulnerability to the body. Numbness also occurs on one side in one or more limbs of your body.
Fatigue:
Fatigue refers to getting tired fast and for a longer duration. It often comes in the afternoon and causes weakness in muscles, sleepiness or slow thinking.
Numbness and Tingling:
You can feel an electric-shock-like feeling when you move your neck, and this may transfer down your spine or your legs and arms. You may also start feeling numbness on your face as well as some tingling like sensation.
Blurred Vision
Blurred vision occurs due to optic neuritis. The eyes become inflamed, and that leads to double vision. Blurred vision or sometimes complete blindness and pain. You may also feel involuntary eye movements called as Nystagmus.
Muscular and neurological pain
Another major symptom of MS is the chronic pain that occurs in muscles and joints as well as the muscle spasms. You may feel stiffness in your muscles or joints as well as extremely painful spasms. The most affected part of your body is your legs.
Other symptoms of MS can be a warming of your legs and other body parts, emotional changes and depression, diarrhea, Dizziness etc.
Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
The treatment of MS is done by identifying the cause of the problem and then treating it. Your doctor will start with some tests such as Blood tests, Lumbar Puncture, MRI and evoked potential tests. Treatment is usually focused on speeding recovery from attacks, slowing the progression of the disease, and managing the symptoms of MS. Beta Interferons, ocrelizumab, Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone), Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera) can be prescribed by the doctor to alleviate the symptoms.
CBD for Multiple Sclerosis
There have been many recent studies and awareness in regards to CBD for MS. As we all know Cannabidiol has shown potential in treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, chronic pain etc.
These are all the symptoms of Multiple sclerosis. Thus CBD interacts with the Endocannabinoid system of our body and helps to provide relief from the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis.
One of the most essential thing about CBD is its non-psychoactive nature. It is entirely natural and provides enormous benefits to patients who have been suffering from long.
As we all know our body has an Endocannabinoid System which produces its natural cannabinoids. Our ECS works to regulate our mood, pain receptors, appetite loss and a lot more. CBD boosts up the production of natural cannabinoids that allows our body to speed up the healing process.
CBD oil for MS can provide relief in:
- Reducing inflammation
- Boosting your mood
- Increased appetite
- Improvements in sleep
- Reduction in anxiety, depression.
According to a study, Sativex which is a cannabis-based pharmaceutical product containing delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) in a 1:1 ratio, has been approved as adjunctive treatment for neuropathic pain in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
CBD oil for MS can also be helpful in reducing muscle pain, spasms, stiffness. CBD can also reduce your fatigue and pains throughout the body.
Wrapping Up!
Thus, CBD for Multiple Sclerosis can bring some benefits in treating MS. CBD is very useful in treating the symptoms of Multiple sclerosis such as mood swings, depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleep disorders, etc.
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