Many studies have been done regarding cannabis and multiple sclerosis (MS) and, though right now there are still mixed reviews regarding it and the helping of pain caused by the misfiring of neurons, there hasn’t been one regarding the possibility of it slowing the progression of the disease.
“I’d heard Sativex is still not FDA approved and won’t be for another year yet,” says Michael Panna of Lima. “but having it be not just to help with spasticity, but also a way to help slow progression down, too, well, that would be an added bonus for sure.”
Sativex is approved for use overseas even though its availability has been somewhat limited due to NICE finding it not very “cost effective”.
As a matter of fact, David Nutt, professor of neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London said just in this release, “It would be wrong to interpret these preliminary findings to mean that cannabis does not achieve its licensed use. Cannabis is not licensed for limiting disease progression, it is licensed for dealing with spasticity and pain”.
He had nothing to do with this study, but he must have felt the need to speak up because of the difficulties patients are having getting their hands on Sativex over there.
Researchers for this study regarding cannabis and MS progression, led by John Zajicek of the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, had looked over past studies and thought this larger one would find better results. Unfortunately, findings weren’t quite as explosive as they’d hoped.
Patients either took capsules that contained tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or a placebo, with results barely showing an effect on progression for MS, although the article does state there were some benefits for those less disabled.
Exactly what benefits were found, it is hard to say as nothing was said further regarding those. Whether it be such too small a number of people finding a slowing of progression, but a slowing none the less, or some other benefit not relating to progression, they didn’t say.
What is easy to say? Between drug companies doing their best to study cannabinoids and market them, patients either fighting for medical marijuana use or against it, and the government exacting its own pound of flesh here in the States, it is looking like cannabis isn’t going to be disappearing from the news any time soon.
Also of Interest:
Scientists in Tel Aviv working on stopping neuropathic pain by generating the BL-7050.
For more info: for those who live in Lima, Ohio, the Northwestern Ohio MS Chaptercan be reached at: 401 Tomahawk Drive , Maumee, OH at (419) 897-7263. They are located approximately an hour and a half from Lima, Ohio and 45 minutes from Findlay, Ohio. For directions please click here at Google Maps.
Sources: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/05/29/cannabis-fails-to-slow-progress-multiple-sclerosis-in-study/; http://www.news-medical.net/health/Cannabinoids-What-are-Cannabinoids.aspx; http://www.timeslive.co.za/lifestyle/family/2012/05/29/cannabis-doesn-t-slow-progress-of-multiple-sclerosis; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/22/sativex-pot-prescription-drug_n_1222055.html
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