Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Understand how medical marijuana helps with ALS.

Medical marijuana can help relieve the symptoms of ALS. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease that causes nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to gradually deteriorate. 

This leads to muscle weakness and paralysis, and eventually the loss of ability to control voluntary movement. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. 

Symptoms

• Muscle weakness, twitching, and spasms

• Difficulty speaking, swallowing, and chewing

• Abnormal reflexes

• Difficulty controlling laughing or crying

• Loss of gag reflex

• Stiff or clumsy walk

Progression

• ALS usually begins gradually and can affect people of all ages, but most commonly affects people between 40 and 70.

• The disease progresses over time, and the rate of progression varies.

• The average life expectancy after diagnosis is 3 to 5 years.

Causes

• The cause of most cases of ALS is unknown.

• About 5–10% of cases are inherited, while the rest are sporadic.

Treatment

• There is no cure for ALS.

• People with ALS may need a ventilator or other device to help them breathe.

• People with ALS may need a feeding tube to help them eat.

Medical marijuana can help with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Marijuana may help with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by reducing pain and muscle spasms, and improving appetite and sleep. It may also have neuroprotective effects that could slow the progression of the disease. 

How it helps 

• Pain relief: Marijuana can help with pain and muscle discomfort.

• Muscle relaxation: THC in marijuana can help with muscle tension and spasms.

• Appetite stimulation: Marijuana can help with weight loss and malnutrition that can occur in ALS patients.

• Sleep improvement: Marijuana can help with sleep disturbances that are common in ALS patients.

• Neuroprotection: Cannabinoids in marijuana may have neuroprotective properties that could slow the progression of ALS.

How it's used

• People with ALS use marijuana in a variety of ways, including smoking, vaping, ingesting edibles, and applying topical lotions. 

• The most well-known cannabinoids in marijuana are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). 

Future research 

• More research is needed to understand how marijuana can help with ALS.

• Clinical trials are needed to determine if marijuana can modify the disease and extend life expectancy.