Movement Disorders
One of the indications for use of medical marijuana is the treatment of symptoms of movement disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Muscular spasticity is a particularly difficult symptom associated with a number of diseases and conditions, including multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, paraplegia, quadriplegia, and spinal cord injuries. Current available medications have many side effects, including sedation, weakness, development of tolerance and addiction, and are considered by many patients to not be effective.

The natural chemicals found in marijuana, called cannabinoids, have been found to have antispasticity, antitremor, antiataxia and analgesic properties. This means that cannabinoids help reduce or eliminate muscle spasms and tremors, help reduce loss of coordination, and work as effective pain relievers. And all without the significant adverse side effects experienced with routine medications.

Many patients who suffer from multiple sclerosis have found substantial improvement in controlling their muscle spasticity and pain when they used medical marijuana. Similar improvement is reported by patients who have spinal cord injuries, paraplegia, and quadriplegia. Of note, many of these patients have tried numerous different conventional medications without success before trying medical marijuana.

Interestingly, cannabinoids have also been found to be neuroprotective, that is, they act to slow the progression of some neurodegenerative diseases. Much research is being done to explore the role of cannabinoids in the treatment and even the prevention of movement disorders. Scientists hope to soon uncover the mystery of how marijuana works to improve the symptoms of these very debilitating diseases.

If you suffer from a movement disorder or know someone who does, call Marijuana Medicine Evaluation Centers and make an appointment with one of our compassionate and knowledgeable physicians to see if medical marijuana will be of benefit. We are available to answer all of your medical questions and would like to help you improve the quality of your life.