Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects more than 100,000 people in FranceAlthough research is increasingly encouraging, there is no cure for this neurodegenerative disease. What's more, palliative treatments don't work for everyone, and are accompanied by numerous undesirable effects.
For relieve their symptoms (pain, muscle stiffness, stomach upsets, etc.) without suffering side effects, more and more people with multiple sclerosis are turning to a natural alternative like cannabis or CBD oil.
In this article, you'll find a compilation of existing scientific data concerning CBD and multiple sclerosis.
Table of contents
Multiple sclerosis (MS): causes, symptoms and treatments
Multiple sclerosis is the leading cause of severe disability in young adults. In fact, the first symptoms generally appear around the age of 30/35leading to a slow, irreversible loss of mobility.
What is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune autoimmune diseasethat is, the immune system turns against the body's own cells. In this case, the immune cells are attacking the nervous system.
More specifically, lymphocytes attack the myelin sheath which surrounds the axons of our neurons. Axons are the bridges that enable neurons to communicate with each other. Myelin is the tunnel wall that protects the bridge from external aggression, ensuring a smooth, continuous flow of information.
Lymphocyte attacks on axons lead to demyelination demyelinationcausing :
- An inflammatory responseA vicious circle ensues, with the result that more lesions are formed, leading to an ever more aggressive inflammatory response. A vicious circle sets in;
- Axonal degenerationaxonal degeneration, which disrupts the flow of information between neurons, resulting in motor, cognitive, sensory, visual and sphincter disturbances.
What treatments are available for multiple sclerosis?
The causes of multiple sclerosis are poorly understoodand, as a result, there is no effective treatment.
The onset of the disease may be linked to certain genetic factors genetic or environmental factors such as sun exposure, which influences vitamin D synthesis, smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity.
Two types of treatment are prescribed:Â
- Corticosteroids in high doses in the event of a flare-up to reduce symptoms;
- As well as immunomodulatorsand even immunosuppressantswhich reduce or prevent the action of lymphocytes. These drugs generally reduce the frequency of attacks by half, but have serious side-effects of infectious origin, as the body is deprived of its defense system.
CBD to reduce multiple sclerosis symptoms
Each relapse causes residual symptoms such as muscle stiffness and pain, but people with multiple sclerosis can also suffer from anxiety and depression. anxiety and depression.
These symptoms, sometimes aggravated by treatments, CBD can potentially relieve. Without side effects.
Improvement of muscle spasticity
There is currently a THC/CBD-based treatment treatment for multiple sclerosis sufferers.
Indeed, Sativex (developed by GH Pharmaceutics), is a spray medication used to improve muscle spasticity and combat limb stiffness. The two cannabinoids act synergistically to modulate the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, resulting in muscle relaxation [4].
Reduced neuropathic pain
Multiple sclerosis causes a very specific type of pain known as neuropathic pain. In fact, unlike the pain felt following a fracture or burn, neuropathic pain is spontaneous (with no external cause) and arises from a dysfunction of the nervous system.
To treat this type of pain, doctors use anti-epileptics, which act on the excitation of the nervous system.Â
Epidiolex is a CBD-based anti-epileptic effective against certain forms of epilepsy, and is sometimes used to reduce neuropathic pain [5]. CBD can also relieve pain caused by multiple sclerosis.
Reduced anxiety and depression
CBD is widely known for its positive effects on anxiety and depression, two emotional disorders to which people with multiple sclerosis are particularly prone.Â
This is because, on the one hand, for obvious reasons linked to the reduced quality of life implied by the disease, and on the other, because the nervous system is dysfunctional, which can disrupt the synthesis of certain key hormones, such as serotonin.
Although the efficacy of CBD in reducing anxiety and depression is unproven, studies show that CBD is able to activate 5HT1A-type neuroreceptorsneuroreceptors, thereby inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and increasing its levels.
Knowing that high serotonin levels are linked to a state of serenity, it's reasonable to think that CBD could help people with multiple sclerosis live their daily lives better.
CBD to slow the progression of multiple sclerosis
CBD is currently the subject of intense research into its therapeutic potential neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis such as multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
In fact, it seems that the neuroprotective properties of CBD, coupled with its ability to reduce local inflammation may slow the progression of diseases affecting the central nervous system.
The mechanisms of action of CBD are still very poorly understood, however observations made during various studies [2] show that CBD :Â
- Regulates synthesis of glutamatean excitatory neurotransmitter that ensures communication between neurons;
- Reduces oxidative stress by regulating natural oxidation/anti-oxidant processes, thus increasing neuronal survival;
- Reduces the occurrence of local inflammatory events events [3].
In short, CBD improves neurological communication, increases neuronal lifespan and reduces the risk of neuronal inflammation. Although these observations still lack precision, research into a future CBD treatment for multiple sclerosis is well on the way!Â
Which CBD oil for multiple sclerosis?
There are a multitude of CBD oils. They vary in quality and concentration, but also in composition. Here's our advice if you want to buy a CBD oil for multiple sclerosis.
Which composition?
A CBD oil is, most often, hemp oil with the addition of :
- Either only the CBD molecule ;
- Or all the substances synthesized in cannabis (this is known as full spectrum oil). These oils contain all the cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, CBN, etc.), which means they contain THC (at less than 0.3%, which is insufficient to cause psychotropic effects) as well as terpenes (potentially therapeutic substances used in aromatherapy, responsible for smell and taste);
- Either only some of the cannabinoids and terpenes (known as broad spectrum oil). It can be a mixture of CBD+CBN or CBD+CBG or all cannabinoids except THC.
In the specific case of multiple sclerosis, we recommend a full spectrum or broad spectrum oilbecause the synergistic action of several cannabinoids is required to act effectively on the endocannabinoid system, and on the symptoms.
-
THC-free 10% CBG and 10% CBD "Pain and Inflammation" oil
29,90 €10% CBG + 10% CBD oil for lasting relief of chronic pain and inflammation. A synergy of cannabinoids to soothe the body, without addiction or psychotropic effects.
âïž THC-free, non-addictive
đ«đ· Made in France with French ingredients in our laboratory
đ§Ș Total traceability: We extract the active ingredients from Hemp ourselves.
đ§ 10 ml bottle with dosing pipette - around 250 drops for easy, precise use -
CBD Oil 20% Full Spectrum - Nobilis Product
29,90 €Our Full Spectrum 20% CBD oil is a concentrate of nature and French know-how. Derived from hemp grown without GMOs or additives, it contains twice the concentration of cannabidiol as our 10% formula, while retaining all the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids naturally present in the plant.
Thanks to theenhanced entourage effect, this oil promotes a deeper action on stress, body tension and sleep quality.
Its 10 ml format with pipette allows precise, easy dosing, even at high concentrations.
This oil is :
-
đ«đ· Produced in our French laboratory, from hemp extraction to bottling, with full traceability
-
đż RĂ©alisĂ©e Ă partir de crude de CBD, pour conserver toute la richesse molĂ©culaire du chanvre : CBD, CBG, CBN, THC < 0,3 %, flavonoĂŻdes, terpĂšnes
-
â Analyzed with every batch by an independent laboratory, to guarantee consistent, uncompromising quality
-
What concentration?
As CBD products are not considered medicines, there is no official there is no official dosage for them.
That's why we recommend starting with a low-concentration CBD oil oil with a low concentration (between 5 and 10%), at a dose of 3 to 5 drops a day. If you don't see any improvement after a week, then gradually increase the dose.
In any case, if you have multiple sclerosis, ask your doctor's advice before taking CBD oil.
Our sourcesÂ
[1] Multiple sclerosis (MS): active research to improve patient care (Inserm)
[2] Cannabidiol for neurodegenerative disorders: important new clinical applications for this phytocannabinoid? (Pubmed)
[3] Mechanisms of cannabidiol neuroprotection in hypoxic-ischemic newborn pigs: role of 5HT(1A) and CB2 receptors (Pubmed)
[4] Sativex in the Management of Multiple Sclerosis-Related Spasticity: Role of the Corticospinal Modulation (Pubmed)
[5] Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Epilepsy: A Focused Review of Evidence and Gaps (Frontiers)