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***EDDIEKIRK*** · 07-04-2012, 01:11 PM

Muscle Spasms

Muscle Spasmssudden, involuntary movements or convulsive muscular contractionsmay affect many areas of the body and may be caused by numerous diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and other forms of sclerosis (hardening of tissue or the nervous system), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrigs Disease), cerebral palsy, atopic neurodermititis (chronic hardening of the skin), paraplegia, quadriplegia, cranial and spinal nerve injuries, and other neurological impairments such as Tourettes Syndrome and symptoms caused by stroke. In addition, asthma is in part caused by spasms of muscle coating the smaller bronchi.

In several human and animal studies, natural marijuana and synthetic delta-9 THC have each been found to relieve a broad range of muscle spasms.[ii] [iii] One 1990 double-blind trial comparing THC with codeine showed that both had an analgesic effect in comparison with a placebo, but, only delta-9 THC showed a significant beneficial effect on spasticity.[iv] Dozens of studies on human subjects have indicated that cannabis may be useful in treating various types of spastic conditions,[v] [vi] including cases where conventional treatments have failed.[vii]

Some patients find that cannabis is invaluable in alleviating the chronic debilitation of their uncontrollable muscle tremors.[viii] Patients suffering from severe spastic conditions have reported that cannabis actually keeps them alive.[ix] According to pharmacologist Daniele Piomelli, there is strong clinical evidence that the anandamide-boosting properties of THC might help alleviate symptoms of Tourettes Syndrome.[x] Even the conservative American Medical Association has agreed: Anecdotal, survey, and clinical data support the view that smoked marijuana and oral THC provide symptomatic relief in some patients with spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or trauma.[xi]

Unlike natural cannabis, powerful barbiturates and muscle relaxer currently in use for treatment of severe muscle spasms are known to have serious and life-threatening side effects.

[Image: Marijuana_plant.jpg]

Data from

 Tabers Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company, 1987



[ii] Petro and Ellenberger, Treatment of human spasticity with delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Vol. 21, pp. 431S-416S, 1981



[iii] Egli, Elsohly, Henn, and Spiess, The effect of orally and rectally administered delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol on spasticity: A pilot study with two patients. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Vol. 34, No. 10, pp. 446-452, 1988



[iv] Dittrich and Hoffman, Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol shows antispastic and analgesic effects in a single case double-blind trial. Maurer, Henn, European Archive of Psychiatry and Neurological Science, Vol. 240, No. 1, pp. 1-4, 1990



[v] Petro and Ellenberer, References on multiple sclerosis and marijuana. 1998, Source: Schaffer Library of Drug Policy, http://www.druglibrary.org



[vi] Gieringer, An overview of human studies on medical use of marijuana. 1994, Source: CANORML, http://www.norml.org/canorml



[vii] Pero, Marijuana as a therapeutic agent for muscle spasm or spasticity. (Case reports). 1980



[viii] Barnell, Marijuana and spastic parapalegia. Source: Grinspoon, www.rxmerijuana.com



[ix] Jordan, The luckiest woman on Earth. Highwitness News, High Times, No. 266, October 1997



[x] Stein, Bits and Pieces. Geriatric Psychiatry News, Issue 3, No. 7 June/July 1999



[xi] American Medical Association House of Delegates Report. December 9, 1997 





My sources 

 Tabers Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company, 1987



[ii] Petro and Ellenberger, Treatment of human spasticity with delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Vol. 21, pp. 431S-416S, 1981



[iii] Egli, Elsohly, Henn, and Spiess, The effect of orally and rectally administered delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol on spasticity: A pilot study with two patients. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Vol. 34, No. 10, pp. 446-452, 1988



[iv] Dittrich and Hoffman, Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol shows antispastic and analgesic effects in a single case double-blind trial. Maurer, Henn, European Archive of Psychiatry and Neurological Science, Vol. 240, No. 1, pp. 1-4, 1990



[v] Petro and Ellenberer, References on multiple sclerosis and marijuana. 1998, Source: Schaffer Library of Drug Policy, http://www.druglibrary.org



[vi] Gieringer, An overview of human studies on medical use of marijuana. 1994, Source: CANORML, http://www.norml.org/canorml



[vii] Pero, Marijuana as a therapeutic agent for muscle spasm or spasticity. (Case reports). 1980



[viii] Barnell, Marijuana and spastic parapalegia. Source: Grinspoon, www.rxmerijuana.com



[ix] Jordan, The luckiest woman on Earth. Highwitness News, High Times, No. 266, October 1997



[x] Stein, Bits and Pieces. Geriatric Psychiatry News, Issue 3, No. 7 June/July 1999



[xi] American Medical Association House of Delegates Report. December 9, 1997







Medical Use of Marijuana for Muscular Spasticity





Cannabis (marijuana) has demonstrated particular success in the treatment of muscular spasticity disorders.





In 1839, Dr. William B. O'Shaughnessy was greatly impressed with the plant's muscle relaxant and anti-convulsant properties, stating his belief that in cannabis, "The (medical) profession has gained an anti-convulsive remedy of the greatest value."





An historical account alluding to the use of cannabis in the treatment of spasticity can be found in a March 22, 1890, issue of The Lancet. An article written by Dr. J. Russell Reynolds (physician to Queen Victoria) noted, "There are many cases of so called epilepsy in adults but which, in my opinion (are) the result of organic disease of a gross character in the nervous centers, in which India hemp (cannabis) is the most useful agent with which I am acquainted." Dr. Reynolds may well have been referring to multiple sclerosis (MS). The first written record of MS is noted between 1880-85.





Muscular spasticity is a common condition, affecting more than one million persons in the United States. It afflicts individuals with multiple sclerosis, stroke, cerebral palsy, paraplegia, quadriplegia, and spinal cord injuries. Current medical therapy is woefully inadequate for those individuals suffering from spasticity problems. Phenobarbital and diazepam (Valium) are commonly prescribed drugs but many patients develop a tolerance to these medications, can become addicted to the drug, or complain of heavy sedation.





Dunn and Davis reported in a 1974 issue of Paraplegia magazine that ten patients admitted using marijuana for spinal cord injury, "with perceived decrease in pain and spasticity." These anecdotal and historical accounts of marijuana's effectiveness in treating spasticity have led to a few controlled studies. Dr. Denis Petro and Dr. Carl Ellenberger completed a pilot study of the effects of delta-9 THC on multiple sclerosis patients in 1979. Seven of nine patients responded favorably to treatment with delta-9-THC. Dr. Petro reports hearing from more than one hundred individuals with spasticity problems who report relief from the use of marijuana.





The continued classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug has greatly impeded research with the drug. Nevertheless, a significant number of studies have been conducted leading Chief Administrative Law Judge Francis Young of the DEA to conclude in September 1988 that marijuana's medical benefits in the treatment of spasticity is "beyond question" and recommended rescheduling of the drug to allow prescriptive access. Unfortunately Judge Young's ruling was rejected by the administrator of the DEA.




source: http://www.marijuana..... Bibliography

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