Managing Symptoms of MS with Medical Cannabis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that can develop at any age. MS is caused by damage to the myelin sheath, the protective covering that surrounds nerve cells. When this nerve covering is damaged, nerve signals slow down or stop.

The nerve damage is caused by inflammation which occurs when the body’s own immune cells attack the nervous system. This damage can happen anywhere in the brain or spinal cord.

Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Multiple sclerosis symptoms can vary widely and can display differently for everyone, but the most common symptoms include:

• Blurred or double vision
• Trouble thinking
• Lack of coordination
• Loss of balance
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness in an arm or leg
• Pain

Medical Cannabis For MS

The use of medical cannabis, cannabis oils, continues to be an emotionally and politically charged issue. A prominent compound found in marijuana oil, CBD, or cannabidiol, has shown to treat numerous diseases, including MS.

According to a 2007 meta-analysis conducted in Canada, the combination of CBD and THC was found to be effective in treating neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis, which can be unbearable for 50 to 70 percent of MS patients.

While cannabis and cannabis-based treatments are most recognized for managing symptoms of MS, there is also some evidence that they can slow progression of the disease. However, no cure exists for MS, but medical cannabis treatment is generally focused on managing symptoms to improve each patient’s quality of life.

Multiple Sclerosis Diet

Choose whole, organic, unprocessed foods as often as possible. To help heal the body with MS eat food that will help you to seal the gut lining, reduce inflammation and food that will support the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

• Good fats
• Fresh fruits and vegetables;
• Omega-3 fats
• Cabbage and bean sprouts
• Good quality protein such as Bone Broth

MS Diet Foods to Avoid

• Processed foods– Reduce your exposure to chemicals and toxins by avoiding any foods that are processed. Avoid processed oils such as canola oil and vegetable oil as it inflames the body.

• Remove Conventional Dairy out of your diet – Steer away from cow dairy as it causes inflammation in the gut line which leads to more MS symptoms. Raw goats milk, yogurt and cheese can be consumed as an alternative to conventional dairy products.

• Gluten– People with MS generally have a gluten-intolerance and gluten can make symptoms worse. Gluten are found in wheat products such as bread.

• Sugar, including artificial sweetners– Sugar lowers the immune response and causes systemic inflammation.To be sugar free on an MS diet will be better.

• Alcohol– Increases inflammation and can create a toxic environment.

Conclusion

Medical cannabis, cannabis oils can be used to regulate inflammation to protect the nervous system and its functions. Both cannabis oils high in THC and CBD are recommended for treating MS. Together with a diet that reduces inflammation, MS patients could slow the progression of the disease.