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01-24-2017, 12:53 PM
This Scientist Thinks Cannabis Could Be A Wonder Drug For Treating MS
Anecdotally, medical marijuana has been extremely successful for managing symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Researchers now want to find out why.
01/23/2017
For the <a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="http://mymsaa.org/ms-information/faqs/">more than 400,000 Americans</a> suffering from multiple sclerosis an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord the currently available treatments often fall woefully short.
Theres<a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Multiple-sclerosis/Pages/Treatment.aspx">no cure</a> for MS, and frequently prescribed<a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="https://www.hopkinslupus.org/lupus-treatment/lupus-medications/immunosuppressive-medications/">immunosuppressant drugs</a>such as<a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/corticosteroids-in-autoimmune-diseases">corticosteroids</a> arent always effective in addressing common symptoms like weakness, tingling, numbness, blurred vision and cognitive difficulties. They can come with significant side effects such as increased risk of infection, weight gain, emotional changes and high blood pressure.
Increasingly, many people with MS are turning to medical marijuana to ease their symptoms. A growing number of anecdotal reports describe the drugs benefits for treating common symptoms like fatigue, muscle weakness, anxiety and sleep deprivation, according to Dr. Thorsten Rudroff, a Colorado State University neurophysiologist who has conducted research on the effects of marijuana on multiple sclerosis symptoms. One patient even called cannabis a <a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="http://reset.me/story/cannabis-saved-my-life-multiple-sclerosis/">miracle cure</a>for MS.
But these reports havent yet been verified by scientific research. Scientists have had a hard time conducting the clinical trials necessary to determine efficacy and dosing guidelines for the drug because of its status as a <a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="https://www.drugs.com/article/csa-schedule-1.html">Schedule 1 drug</a>.
Medical marijuana is legal in 28 states and recreational use is allowed in a handful of others, BUT cannabis research has been heavily obstructed even in states where medical use is allowed. A <a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=24625&_ga=1.172863584.235057739.1484262362">National Academies of Sciences report</a>including data from over 10,000 studies, which was published Jan. 12, noted that scientists who want to study cannabis have to seek approval from federal, state and local agencies for their research, and are only able to get their samples from a single lab.
Because of these restrictions, Rudroffs team at the<a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="http://www.inplab.colostate.edu/">Integrative Neurophysiology Laboratory</a>has been able to conduct only observational studies rather than clinical trials.
In a recent observational study, Rudroffs team analyzed data on the health status, symptom severity and use of medical marijuana from 139 MS patients in Colorado who were already using cannabis.
The results showed that the majority of users showed fewer signs of neurological disability, and they were also able to reduce or discontinue their use of other medications as a result of their cannabis use.
The Scope caught up with Rudroff to learn more about the potential of cannabis for treating multiple sclerosis, and why the drug has been so difficult for scientists to study.
What are the most striking findings so far from your studies on patients who have been using cannabis to treat their MS symptoms?
Our experience here is that these patients reported less pain, less muscle spasticity compared to other patients with multiple sclerosis.
Also, we looked at some physical functions, and they performed better. These patients were stronger in the legs, they were less fatigable, and they also showed better balance. These are some of the preliminary findings weve had so far, but of course we need more subjects to validate this and to make sure that this is really an effect of cannabis.
I have a lot of interactions with these patients, and they have reduced other medications, they have less pain, they are more physically active. Its very exciting for me..............
<a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/cannabis-medical-marijuana-multiple-sclerosis-ms_us_587f95f5e4b0c147f0bc27b4?utm_hp_ref=medical-marijuana">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/cannabis-medical-marijuana-multiple-sclerosis-ms_us_587f95f5e4b0c147f0bc27b4?utm_hp_ref=medical-marijuana</a>
Anecdotally, medical marijuana has been extremely successful for managing symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Researchers now want to find out why.
01/23/2017
For the <a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="http://mymsaa.org/ms-information/faqs/">more than 400,000 Americans</a> suffering from multiple sclerosis an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord the currently available treatments often fall woefully short.
Theres<a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Multiple-sclerosis/Pages/Treatment.aspx">no cure</a> for MS, and frequently prescribed<a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="https://www.hopkinslupus.org/lupus-treatment/lupus-medications/immunosuppressive-medications/">immunosuppressant drugs</a>such as<a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/corticosteroids-in-autoimmune-diseases">corticosteroids</a> arent always effective in addressing common symptoms like weakness, tingling, numbness, blurred vision and cognitive difficulties. They can come with significant side effects such as increased risk of infection, weight gain, emotional changes and high blood pressure.
Increasingly, many people with MS are turning to medical marijuana to ease their symptoms. A growing number of anecdotal reports describe the drugs benefits for treating common symptoms like fatigue, muscle weakness, anxiety and sleep deprivation, according to Dr. Thorsten Rudroff, a Colorado State University neurophysiologist who has conducted research on the effects of marijuana on multiple sclerosis symptoms. One patient even called cannabis a <a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="http://reset.me/story/cannabis-saved-my-life-multiple-sclerosis/">miracle cure</a>for MS.
But these reports havent yet been verified by scientific research. Scientists have had a hard time conducting the clinical trials necessary to determine efficacy and dosing guidelines for the drug because of its status as a <a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="https://www.drugs.com/article/csa-schedule-1.html">Schedule 1 drug</a>.
Medical marijuana is legal in 28 states and recreational use is allowed in a handful of others, BUT cannabis research has been heavily obstructed even in states where medical use is allowed. A <a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=24625&_ga=1.172863584.235057739.1484262362">National Academies of Sciences report</a>including data from over 10,000 studies, which was published Jan. 12, noted that scientists who want to study cannabis have to seek approval from federal, state and local agencies for their research, and are only able to get their samples from a single lab.
Because of these restrictions, Rudroffs team at the<a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="http://www.inplab.colostate.edu/">Integrative Neurophysiology Laboratory</a>has been able to conduct only observational studies rather than clinical trials.
In a recent observational study, Rudroffs team analyzed data on the health status, symptom severity and use of medical marijuana from 139 MS patients in Colorado who were already using cannabis.
The results showed that the majority of users showed fewer signs of neurological disability, and they were also able to reduce or discontinue their use of other medications as a result of their cannabis use.
The Scope caught up with Rudroff to learn more about the potential of cannabis for treating multiple sclerosis, and why the drug has been so difficult for scientists to study.
What are the most striking findings so far from your studies on patients who have been using cannabis to treat their MS symptoms?
Our experience here is that these patients reported less pain, less muscle spasticity compared to other patients with multiple sclerosis.
Also, we looked at some physical functions, and they performed better. These patients were stronger in the legs, they were less fatigable, and they also showed better balance. These are some of the preliminary findings weve had so far, but of course we need more subjects to validate this and to make sure that this is really an effect of cannabis.
I have a lot of interactions with these patients, and they have reduced other medications, they have less pain, they are more physically active. Its very exciting for me..............
<a data-ipb="nomediaparse" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/cannabis-medical-marijuana-multiple-sclerosis-ms_us_587f95f5e4b0c147f0bc27b4?utm_hp_ref=medical-marijuana">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/cannabis-medical-marijuana-multiple-sclerosis-ms_us_587f95f5e4b0c147f0bc27b4?utm_hp_ref=medical-marijuana</a>
