Medical marijuana is emerging as a viable treatment option for patients suffering from intractable spasticity due to damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord. This condition, often resulting from trauma, degenerative diseases, or multiple sclerosis, leads to persistent muscle stiffness and involuntary spasms that significantly reduce quality of life.
Spasticity occurs when nerve pathways in the spinal cord are damaged, disrupting signals between the brain and muscles. Patients often present with exaggerated tendon reflexes, hypertonia, and severe discomfort that can be resistant to conventional treatment options such as baclofen, tizanidine, or physical therapy. For many, these methods provide only partial or temporary relief.
Recent clinical findings support the use of medical cannabis as an adjunct or alternative therapy for this debilitating condition. Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system, modulating pain, reducing inflammation, and influencing motor control. A randomized controlled trial published in The Lancet Neurology found that nabiximols, an oromucosal spray containing THC and CBD, significantly reduced spasticity in patients with treatment-resistant multiple sclerosis compared to placebo.
Furthermore, a review in Frontiers in Neurology noted that cannabinoids demonstrated efficacy in reducing spasticity across several neurological conditions, including those involving spinal cord injuries (Koppel et al., 2014). While more longitudinal studies are needed, current evidence suggests a promising role for medical marijuana in managing neurological symptoms where standard treatments fail.
In the United States, several states have approved medical marijuana use specifically for spasticity associated with spinal cord injury, reflecting growing recognition of cannabis’s therapeutic potential in neurology.
As more patients seek relief beyond traditional medications, the intersection of neuroscience and cannabis research continues to pave new paths for treatment, potentially improving mobility, comfort, and independence for individuals living with chronic spasticity.
References:
Zajicek, J. P., Hobart, J. C., Slade, A., Barnes, D., & Mattison, P. G. (2012). Multiple sclerosis and extract of cannabis: results of the MUSEC trial. Lancet Neurology, 11(10), 895–902.
Koppel, B. S., Brust, J. C. M., Fife, T., Bronstein, J., Youssof, S., Gronseth, G., & Gloss, D. (2014). Systematic review: efficacy and safety of medical marijuana in selected neurologic disorders. Neurology, 82(17), 1556–1563.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: The current state of evidence and recommendations for research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
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