The perceived effects of smoked cannabis on patients with multiple sclerosis

Eur Neurol. 1997;38(1):44-8. doi: 10.1159/000112901.

Abstract

Fifty-three UK and 59 USA people with multiple sclerosis (MS) answered anonymously the first questionnaire on cannabis use and MS. From 97 to 30% of the subjects reported cannabis improved (in descending rank order): spasticity, chronic pain of extremities, acute paroxysmal phenomenon, tremor, emotional dysfunction, anorexia/weight loss, fatigue states, double vision, sexual dysfunction, bowel and bladder dysfunctions, vision dimness, dysfunctions of walking and balance, and memory loss. The MS subjects surveyed have specific therapeutic reasons for smoking cannabis. The survey findings will aid in the design of a clinical trial of cannabis or cannabinoid administration to MS patients or to other patients with similar signs or symptoms.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cannabinoids / therapeutic use*
  • Fatigue / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marijuana Smoking / epidemiology*
  • Marijuana Smoking / psychology
  • Middle Aged
  • Movement Disorders / drug therapy
  • Multiple Sclerosis / complications
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / psychology
  • Muscle Spasticity / drug therapy
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Palliative Care*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Self Medication
  • Sensation Disorders / drug therapy
  • Sex Distribution
  • Stress, Psychological / drug therapy
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Cannabinoids