Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects the nerve functioning of the spinal cord and brain, causing a variety of different symptoms. It is an autoimmune condition that a person will have for life, although it can range from being mild to severe.
Autoimmune conditions are where the immune system attacks healthy parts of the body, as if they were a threat to health. In people who have multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath of the nerves. This sheath helps transmit messages along the nerves and provides protection against damage. When it is damaged by an immune system attack, it repairs itself, but it is never as good as it once was. Over time, this makes the myelin sheath less effective in transmitting messages, affecting many functions that the nerves serve.
Signs of multiple sclerosis most often appear between the ages of 20-30, however it can be diagnosed earlier. Some people with multiple sclerosis will be able to do many everyday activities, whereas it can be a serious disability for others.
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis include:
- problems with balance
- fatigue
- numbness in limbs
- muscle spasms
- stiff muscles
- blurred vision
- difficulty in walking
- problems with bladder control
The symptoms may come and go, or they may be progressive and become worse over time. Anxiety and depression may also be present for some people with MS. This may be because it a challenging long-term condition, rather than being a direct effect of MS.
For those with signs of multiple sclerosis, getting diagnosed is important. Although there is yet no cure, most symptoms can be managed with the right treatment.
Traditional Treatment Options for Multiple Sclerosis
Treatment for MS consists of treating the specific symptoms that are present, as well as medications such help recover quicker from relapses. There are also medicines that may help to reduce the frequency of relapses. Steroids are often used to treat multiple sclerosis, yet these often produce side-effects. There is not yet any therapy that can slow down progressive MS, so treatments are to help manage the symptoms.
Supporting overall health is essential for people with multiple sclerosis as the condition may make some more prone to chest infections, bladder infections and produce difficulties when swallowing.
Getting enough rest, eating a healthy range of foods, and exercising when able to do so are all good for supporting health. Supplements such as CBD oil have also been shown to be useful in managing MS.
CBD Oil for Multiple Sclerosis
CBD oil is a health supplement that is derived from hemp plants. Hemp is a plant from the cannabis family, and CBD is just one of the many beneficial cannabinoids found within the plant. Unlike marijuana, hemp does not make people feel high as it only contains trace amounts of THC, the cannabinoid that produces a sensation of being high.
The human body has an endocannabinoid system that is closely involved with the nervous system, and its job is to regulate many processes in the body. Cannabinoids such as CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system and produces a variety of therapeutic effects, including for conditions like multiple sclerosis.
Many people ask ‘is CBD oil a miracle for multiple sclerosis?’ While there is no cure for MS, CBD is beneficial in helping to manage symptoms in many ways. A 2018 study published in the Frontiers of Neurology journal looked at both the scientific and anecdotal evidence of how CBD and medical cannabis can be used to treat the symptom of MS. The researchers state that, “it is our opinion that CBD supplementation maybe advisable for PwMS to reduce fatigue, pain, spasticity, and ultimately improve mobility.”1
Medical cannabis is already a popular treatment for those with MS, and CBD oil may have further benefits when used alongside. As medical cannabis contains higher levels of THC, this can bring negative side-effects for the user, who may not want to feel high. CBD may counter-act the effects of THC, as the same study also states, “there is also evidence that CBD may reduce the negative psychotropic effects, memory impairment, and appetite stimulation, anxiety and psychotic-like states of THC while enhancing its positive therapeutic actions.” This means that CBD in combination with medical cannabis may enhance its effect while reducing any negative side-effects.
In addition to its pain-relieving and muscle-relaxing properties, CBD oil is also an effective treatment for anxiety and depression which may also be present for people living with a chronic health problem. The therapeutic effect of CBD oil for multiple sclerosis may help reduce the need for strong medications, which has a beneficial effect on overall health.
The best CBD oil for multiple sclerosis is always from a trusted brand that operates with transparency, so you can be sure that you are getting a good quality CBD oil that is also value for money. Also, improvements in symptoms rely upon finding the best CBD dosage for multiple sclerosis. There is no single starting dose that will work for everyone, as no two people are the same. The best way to find the right starting dose is to use the CBD oil dosage calculator. Entering a few details such as age, weight and height allows you to get a personalised CBD oil dosage, giving you the best starting dose to explore the restorative effects of this healthy cannabinoid.
It is still early days for research into CBD and multiple sclerosis. However, the studies that have been done, as well as that vast amount of anecdotal evidence, show that CBD is effective in alleviating many of its symptoms and is beneficial for those with MS.
What you need to know about multiple sclerosis and CBD
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that affects the nerves of the spinal cord and brain. This results is a variety of symptoms that differ depending on how severe the condition is, and what nerves are affected. MS can range from mild to severe, symptoms may come and go, or they may get progressively worse.
Multiple sclerosis causes symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain and spasms, numbness and tingling in the limbs or trunk, problems with mobility, visual disturbances, and problems with bladder control. It can also make people prone to infections of the chest and bladder, and can cause problems with swallowing.
There is no cure for multiple sclerosis as yet, but CBD oil has shown to be beneficial in relieving symptoms. As some people with MS may already be using cannabis, CBD oil is beneficial as it reduces the negative effects of THC while enhancing its therapeutic properties.
When using hemp oil for multiple sclerosis, the best dosage will depend on the individual. Factors like height, weight, age and sex should all be taken into consideration when beginning CBD. To take the guesswork out of finding the right CBD dosage, our CBD calculator is a great place to start. By entering a few details about yourself, you get a personalised CBD dose recommended to you in minutes. The result is displayed on your screen, and we also send to your preferred email address for your reference.