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| Cannabis and Multiple Sclerosis |
Inflammation in
multiple-sclerosis (MS) show positive results with cannabis. Symptoms
benefiting from cannabis treatments are muscle spasms, pain, sleep, interocular
pressure
and incontinence.(Source)
MS is a long-term disease that effects the
brain, central nervous system and optic nerves. This disease makes
the immune system attack a fatty material called myelin. This fatty
tissue wraps around the nerve fibers to protect them. The scar tissue
of myelin called sclerosis causing inflammation.(Source)
Cannabis has shown to
prevent inflammation in the central nervous system. Dr. Ewa Kozela of
Tel Aviv University, Israel says "Inflammation is part of the
body's natural immune response, but in cases like MS, it gets out of
hand". In the Journal
of Neuroimmune Pharmacology
he
shows
how cannabis can regulate inflammation.
In Dr. Kozela's study
the cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)
found in marijuana reduced inflammation associated in MS. The
cannabinoids when administered reduced the inflammatory molecules,
notably interleukin 17 (IL-17). The researchers say the inflammatory
molecule "is strongly associated with MS and very harmful to
nerve cells and their insulating covers,". They concluded:
"The
presence of CBD or THC restrains the immune cells from triggering the
production of inflammatory molecules, and limits the molecules'
ability to reach and damage the brain and spinal cord." (Source)
Source:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/267161.php
