Medical marijuana is rapidly gaining traction as a viable pain reliever, with multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers reporting eased symptoms when using the controversial drug. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is popular among MS sufferers, though can prove difficult to access as the industry isn't regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
New guidelines on how to most effectively use medical marijuana have been published in the journal Neurology, outlining the benefits of the substance and the outcomes experienced by MS patients. The disease, characterized by rigid muscles (also known as spasticity), unstable balance, loss of vision, and slurred speech, was largely found to respond positively to medical marijuana pills and sprays, though occasional adverse side effects were also noted.
Dizziness, drowsiness, seizures, depression, and patchy memory loss affected a small amount of MS sufferers who tried medical marijuana. However, MS sufferers are more inclined to embrace CAM therapies, with the research ultimately looking at data from 2,608 studies. "We're at a place where we need to continue to understand and better appreciate the benefits of what we know and don't know about [alternative medicine]," said Timothy Coetzee of the National MS Society, who was not involved with writing the guidelines. "I view it as integrated care. It's important we continue to keep our options open so people with MS can live their best lives."
Apart from easing spasticity, marijuana pills and sprays were also notable for reducing frequent urination. Sprays are currently unavailable in the United States, though it's thought that MS patients have other means of obtaining them - such as purchasing them across the border in Canada. Other alternative therapies reviewed included gingko biloba, bee sting therapy, omega-3 fatty acids, magnetic therapy, and reflexology. Gingko biloba, more commonly used to sharpen memory, was instead found to reduce fatigue to some degree. Surprisingly, magnetic therapy also saw some evidence in its favor, again reducing fatigue and tiredness. A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids (such as from fish oil supplements) was found largely ineffective, as was bee sting therapy.
The study's leader, Dr. Vijayshree Yadav, stressed the need for traditional medical supervision when trying CAM therapies. "Using different CAM therapies is common in 33-80% of people with MS, particularly those who are female, have higher education levels and report poorer health. People with MS should let their doctors know what types of these therapies they are taking, or thinking about taking," said Yadav.
The study was published in Neurology on March 25 2014.
