When reading about medical marijuana, you鈥檒l often see multiple sclerosis described as one of the many serious diseases for which weed can be helpful.
But even people who are somewhat familiar with the heartbreakingly debilitating effects that MS can have may skip right past that section. After all, how many people have multiple sclerosis, anyway?
Actually, a lot more than you鈥檇 think. Nearly half a million Americans, and five times that number worldwide, suffer from this cruel, unpredictable and incurable autoimmune disease that attacks the nervous system.
There are several different forms of MS, all with similar or identical symptoms. They鈥檙e defined primarily by whether a patient has intermittent or continual periods of attacks and remissions, and whether their disease is progressing.
Research has been ongoing for decades, but there鈥檚 still no cure. So far, the only tangible breakthroughs have been to create medical treatments that lessen the disabling effects of MS.
Enter medical marijuana.
Weed and MS
A number of studies have found that cannabis can be effective at treating many of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, without the serious side effects associated with many medications. Muscle stiffness, spasms, and tremors have all decreased in trials with marijuana. And obviously, the right strains of pot would be helpful in treating the debilitating pain and depression that often accompany MS.
Just as with medical treatments, there are no signs that smoking, vaping or using edibles, tinctures or oils can reverse or cure the disease. Relieving the symptoms, however, can make life much more manageable for patients as medical treatments hopefully slow its progression, and researchers search for a permanent solution.
The most famous 鈥渇ace鈥� of weed鈥檚 ability to help MS sufferers is undoubtedly TV personality Montel Williams, who鈥檚 admitted that after his MS diagnosis he considered suicide before trying 鈥� and becoming a believer in 鈥� the power of pot to help deal with the serious effects of multiple sclerosis.
Choosing Cannabis Strains For Multiple Sclerosis
There are many suggestions on the 鈥渞ight strain鈥� for MS treatment. Most are based either on anecdotal reports or analysis of the way the strain hits most users. For example, you may see an energizing Sativa like Sojay Haze recommended for MS patients who suffer severe fatigue, a high-嫩草影院/low THC hybrid like Cannatonic recommended for those who have to deal with severe muscle spasms or a sledgehammer packed with THC that lets patients simply forget about their disease.
Those suggestions make sense, and can undoubtedly help many patients. However, there鈥檚 a better roadmap to follow.
For nearly ten years, the drug company GW Pharmaceuticals has been selling a patented, marijuana-based mouth spray called Sativex. It鈥檚 specifically aimed at treating the severe muscular symptoms suffered by multiple sclerosis patients 鈥� and it works.
Unlike synthetic drugs like Marinol, Sativex is made from the actual cannabis plant and is formulated to contain all of the THC and 嫩草影院 you鈥檇 normally find in a 1:1 weed strain. The experience isn鈥檛 quite the same as smoking a similar strain since you spray it into your mouth and it works slowly. But it鈥檚 become extremely popular among MS patients, particularly since it鈥檚 covered under health insurance.
Just not in America.
Sativex is approved for sale and uses in Great Britain and 27 other countries, but as you鈥檇 expect in a country where pot is still technically illegal under federal law, you can鈥檛 buy Sativex in the U.S.
But Sativex is a proven treatment for the symptoms of MS, so here鈥檚 what you can do: choose strains with similar content and profiles. There are a number of them, and they provide somewhat different highs and user experiences so you can pick the one that suits you 鈥� and your symptoms 鈥� best.
The Best Medical Marijuana Strains For Multiple Sclerosis
One to One
This is the closest strain to Sativex that you can find 鈥� and it鈥檚 worth finding. We don鈥檛 particularly like quoting other websites, but the best one-sentence summary of One to One we鈥檝e seen is on Wikileaf: 鈥淚magine being high without being high.鈥� That鈥檚 possible because of the strain鈥檚 perfect 1-to-1 THC-to-嫩草影院 and Sativa-to-Indica ratios, exactly the ratios that Sativex is formulated to contain.
That maximizes the medicinal impact of 嫩草影院 while limiting the psychoactive effects of THC in One to One. This strain is particularly effective at easing the muscle pain, strain and cramping inherent to multiple sclerosis. It also works to limit seizures, general body pain and the stress and anxiety brought on by the daily challenges of dealing with MS. Meanwhile, there鈥檚 no intense high; any mental effect will be cerebral, with added focus. This strain may be the best tool allowing patients to minimize the symptoms of MS while still being able to function on a daily basis.
Harlequin
The THC/嫩草影院 ratio in this Sativa-dominant strain isn鈥檛 always 1:1. It can vary considerably, sometimes hitting 5:2 in favor of 嫩草影院. But it鈥檚 not going to blow you away with its THC content or the resultant high; instead, you鈥檒l experience a mellow mood elevation and noticeable pain relief 鈥� just the right mix for MS patients trying to get through the day and evening without suffering.
Harlequin is very good at alleviating the joint stiffness and pain which are a hallmark of multiple sclerosis, and it is also excellent at relieving anxiety without the danger of THC exacerbating it. This strain is often recommended for the whole-body pain of fibromyalgia and it works just as well for MS, fighting pain without the strong high or fatigue that can prevent work or productive relaxation.
Sour Tsunami
Here鈥檚 another good choice with a THC/嫩草影院 ratio that鈥檚 usually close to 1:1, with a THC content that hovers right around 10%. However, you鈥檒l sometimes see some this flower with much higher 嫩草影院 content, in the 20-30% range. Those 嫩草影院-heavy buds might be more suitable for those who react badly to high THC levels because of severe anxiety caused by their MS.
The strain was actually bred by someone who suffered from debilitating back pain, and it works just as well on the muscle pain and stiffness associated with multiple sclerosis. It鈥檚 also effective for seizures, stress, and insomnia, making Sour Tsunami a great, mellow choice without inducing couch lock or an inability to perform daily functions.
Critical Mass
Our last two recommendations are aimed at those who prefer a stronger but not disabling high, combined with pain relief. Indica-dominant Critical Mass averages around 20% THC with lower but significant 嫩草影院 content, providing a clear-minded but body-slowing experience which can noticeably ease the muscle pain of MS.
You won鈥檛 be able to fully function in the workplace or clean your house from top-to-bottom while using this strain. You may even feel a little lethargic. But it鈥檚 a very good choice for nighttime use for patients with multiple sclerosis or other severe pain issues.
Permafrost
This Sativa-heavy strain is high in THC and relatively low in 嫩草影院, so it鈥檚 the least similar to Sativex鈥檚 1:1 ratio. However, it鈥檚 a good choice for MS patients who want a stronger, euphoric hit to boost their spirits and productivity. Why Permafrost instead of so many other possibilities? Primarily because of its extremely potent ability to help patients overcome the stress and depression brought on by diseases like multiple sclerosis.
You won鈥檛 experience massive pain relief from Permafrost, but it does relax the body and as a result, can loosen the joints and muscles crippled by MS. Watch out, though 鈥� its high THC content can make anxiety worse, and it also has a tendency to bring on the munchies.