According to new research published in the journal Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, marijuana extracts can lead to improvements in multiple sclerosis symptoms that’s sustained over a multiweek period.
The study was conducted by researchers at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, OhioHealth Multiple Sclerosis Center, Jazz Pharmaceuticals and Bridgend Clinic. The study found that an extract made from marijuana “leads to improvement in spasticity that was sustained over the 12-week treatment period as measured by average daily Spasticity NRS scores, daily spasm counts, and MAS scores for combinations of muscle groups, especially the combination of the 6 key muscle groups in the lower limbs in NRS responders to nabiximols treatment.”
The objective of the study was to “provide a comprehensive assessment of the treatment effects of nabiximols oromucosal spray on multiple sclerosis spasticity in two clinical trials”. Nabiximols is an extract made from the marijuana compounds THC and CBD, along with a small amount of other minor cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes.
“Mean change from baseline in average daily Spasticity NRS scores was significantly larger for nabiximols than placebo at all postbaseline timepoints, ranging from -0.36 to -0.89 in GWSP0604 and -0.52 to -1.96 in SAVANT”, found the study. “Percent reduction in geometric mean change from baseline in average daily spasm count for nabiximols ranged from 19–35% versus placebo.”
A treatment difference favoring nabiximols was observed in overall MAS scores during the randomized part of each study. Treatment effect was larger for combinations of lower limb muscle groups (ranging between -0.16 and -0.37).
Researchers conclude:
Nabiximols leads to improvement in spasticity that was sustained over the 12-week treatment period as measured by average daily Spasticity NRS scores, daily spasm counts, and MAS scores for combinations of muscle groups, especially the combination of the 6 key muscle groups in the lower limbs in NRS responders to nabiximols treatment.
- You can click here for the full text of this study.
