Severe or Persistent Muscle Spasms

Understand how medical marijuana helps with severe, persistent, or chronic muscle spasms.

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Medical marijuana can help with muscle spasms. Severe, persistent, or chronic, muscle spasms are frequent, recurring muscle contractions that persist over time. They can be caused by a number of medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, or be due to injuries to muscles or ligaments. 

Causes

• Medical conditions
  Chronic muscle spasms can be a symptom of a number of medical conditions, including multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), degenerative diseases, and spinal cord injuries. 

• Ligament injuries
  If you injure a ligament in your neck, back, or foot, the muscles around that ligament can spasm and tighten. 

• Other causes
  Muscle spasms can also be caused by autoimmune disorders, drug overdoses, lack of sleep, or certain medications. 

Symptoms 

• Uncontrolled muscle cramps

• Muscle weakness

• Poor coordination

• Parts of the body twisting into unusual positions

• Shaking or tremors

• Uncontrolled blinking

Initial Treatment 

Treatment typically includes stretching, massage, ice or heat, hydration, mild exercise, nonprescription remedies, and topical creams.

When to seek medical advice

Seek medical advice if you experience chronic muscle spasms, especially if they are accompanied by pain, weakness, or poor coordination. A medical professional can perform diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause and the best treatment. 

Medical marijuana can help treat Severe or Persistent Muscle Spasms.

Marijuana can help with chronic muscle spasms by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system, primarily through the cannabinoid THC, which has muscle-relaxing properties that can reduce the severity and frequency of muscle spasms by calming the nervous system and promoting muscle relaxation when binding to specific receptors in the brain and spinal cord. 

Key points about how marijuana helps with muscle spasms:

• THC as the main active compound:
  The primary cannabinoid responsible for muscle relaxation is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which binds to receptors in the nervous system, leading to a decrease in muscle spasticity. 

• CBD's potential role:
  Cannabidiol (CBD) may also play a role in managing muscle spasms due to its anti-inflammatory properties, potentially reducing the signals causing spasms. 

• Mechanism of action:
  When THC binds to cannabinoid receptors, it can influence the transmission of pain signals and muscle activity, leading to a relaxed state. 

Important considerations:

• Individual response:
  The effectiveness of marijuana for muscle spasms can vary depending on the individual, dosage, and strain used. 

• Medical consultation:
  Consult a healthcare professional before using marijuana for muscle spasms, especially if you have other medical conditions or are taking other medications.