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Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Article Date: 15 May 2012 - 8:00 PDT
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Article opinions:Â 5 postsThe advocates of proposition 19, the bill that tried to legalize cannabis in California, must be turning cartwheels at the news coming out of University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. It's especially ironic coming just a few weeks after the Federal raid and almost complete shutdown of Oaksterdam University, the privately run school in Oakland, California that teaches students how to grow and harvest the much derided herb.
A clinic trial of 30 adult patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis appears to have demonstrated its ability to reduce spasticity and pain, when compared to a placebo.
Multiple Sclerosis is a degenerative disease that affects the lining of the nerve fibers and reduces their ability to transmit properly, a little like an electrical cable with worn insulation. It can also cause ulceration on the brain. Like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's it's a slow and degenerative disease, without a cure, thus the best hope for doctors is finding treatments that reduce symptoms and slow the progression.
The findings of principal investigator Jody Corey-Bloom, MD, PhD, professor of neurosciences and director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at UC San Diego, and her colleagues will be published in Canadian Medical Association Journal this month.
In short, the trial was conducted by dividing the group in two parts, one half smoked placebo cannabis for three days, while the remaining half had the real thing. The scientists then swapped over the supply so the placebo group smoked the real thing and visa versa. The researchers didn't mention whether or not anyone cheating by scoring their own supplies on top.
There have been previous studies that looked into the possibility of treating neurological conditions with cannabis, but they mainly focused on oral treatments, presumably because smoking was considered unhealthy. However, with a recent report showing that cannabis smokers are not affected nearly as badly as tobacco smokers, which has been attributed to its anti inflammatory properties, and taking into account that most people enjoy smoking cannabis far more than they do eating it, this new study makes more sense. There were also reports amongst the pot smoking community that cannabis was seen to relieve symptoms.
Researchers used what is known as the Ashford scale to better assess the intensity of muscle tone by grading resistance in range of motion and rigidity. The secondary study of pain levels was measured using a visual analogue scale. Physical performance was assessed by sending the patients on a timed walk, and they were also questioned about their "highness" to assess cognitive function.
Corey-Bloom said :
"We found that smoked cannabis was superior to placebo in reducing symptoms and pain in patients with treatment-resistant spasticity, or excessive muscle contractions."
Although cannabis is generally well tolerated, researchers noted the need for more wide ranging studies over longer time periods. They also commented on the reduced cognitive function on concentration and attention span, and postulate the idea of using lower doses to assess if the same medical results can be achieved with less side effects.
This is the fifth cannabis study in a row from University of California Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research to show positive results in treating neuropathic pain. We can only hope that the Feds are not planning to raid the facility for promoting an illegal drug, as they did in Oakland.
Igor Grant, MD, director of the CMCR, which provided funding for the study concluded:
"The study by Corey Bloom and her colleagues adds to a growing body of evidence that cannabis has therapeutic value for selected indications, and may be an adjunct or alternative for patients whose spasticity or pain is not optimally managed."
Written by Rupert Shepherd
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
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Visitor Opinions (latest shown first)
"advocates of proposition 19 [...] must be turning cartwheels"?
posted by Igor on 15 May 2012 at 10:43 am"Turning cartwheels"? Really?
Would the author use the same phrase if Proposition 19 was an issue that he took seriously? Even though Proposition 19 may sound hilarious, it aims to address an issue that puts countless Americans into jails for victimless crimes and results in thousands of violent deaths every year in Mexico.
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There are better alternatives to marijuana for MS
posted by Chris W on 15 May 2012 at 10:25 amMy wife has MS, and we have tried a variety of management techniques. We have had the best results for symptom management with a simple but very disciplined routine:
1. Daily aerobic exercise with a focus on thorough cooling after exercise to keep her core temperature down. While running she runs with a fan blowing on her on the treadmill or outdoors when it is cool. She alternates days between swimming and running followed by a dip in the cold plunge pool after each session.
2. Better nutrition, including addressing anemia and vitamin D deficiencies. This had almost an immediate improvement for her energy, clarity, and pain levels.
3. Sufficient rest! She makes time to nap when tired and tries to get a good night's sleep. This one is critical. When she is overtired, she gets dizzy, unfocused, etc.
4. Keeping out of the heat!!! It is amazing how quickly her symptoms flare when she spends too much time out in the heat.
5. Taking h er daily MS medicine. Her daily injections have contributed to keeping new lesions from forming.
My wife has already beaten every projection for level of function, symptom management, and further degeneration. Her doctors cannot explain her progress.
When compared to people we know using pot to manage MS, my wife is doing *much* better. I think much more research must be done before pot can be considered a recommended therapy for MS.
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Marijuana For Pain Management
posted by Richard P on 15 May 2012 at 10:23 amI have used Marijuana for 45 years It has been successfully for pain management as well as a very good treatment for schizophrenia. The HU 210 formula, before they made it illegal, was a highly effective treatment, and very well may be a treatment cure for the illness as well as the dysgraphia and associated depression. The Fed's are way over the top and completely out of control. These people have shown total disregard for any and all Civil Rights. Founded on treachery betrayal and deceit they have become a dark and evil group of despots. It is quite obvious that sociopaths are in charge with then. I must go to Mexico to attempt the cure, please keep these Authoritarians here in the U.S. These people will only lead the rest of the world into attacking all Americans. They have no respect for national boundary's, human right, civil right or even due process.
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Marijuana - wake up world!
posted by S on 15 May 2012 at 10:22 amWake up world! When will we accept the fact that marijuana does way more good than harm (unlike cigarettes!) should have been legalized in this country years ago for all the reasons, including economic for those who focus too much on that aspect of things. Duh!
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Marijauna
posted by BinaryRecoil on 15 May 2012 at 9:44 amTo my understanding "marijauna" is illegal because: original illegalization monopolozied the timber industry/ made it easier to arrest african mexican americans/ the house of representatives is so stupid that they pass votes and judgements without having any idea of what they're voting on.
By the original logic of it's illegalization, i make a proposition. I have discovered a source of radiation, that will one day destroy Earth. I have named this floating, fusion reaction "Bob". I would like to request permission to block all effects "Bob" has against humanity, since it's ultimate purpose it to kill us all.
Would you illegalize the ability to come in contact with radiation from "Bob"? If you said yes, congratulations- you just voted to block out the Sun. As that is what I "chose" to call it, see how that works out?
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