How medical cannabis can help with muscle spasms

What is a muscle spasm?

Muscle spasms or cramps are uncontrollable and involuntary muscle movements. They are a forceful contraction of a muscle that, while typically harmless, can be painful and result in the temporary inability to use the affected muscle. They can affect many areas of the body but are most common in the legs, hands, arms, and back. Muscle spasms and stiffness may also be referred to as types of “spasticity”.

What can cause a muscle spasm?

Muscle spasms can be linked to several things, including muscular tension or overuse, and not getting enough nutrients. In these cases, lifestyle changes may be sufficient to manage the problem. However, muscle spasms can also be associated with a number of serious underlying medical conditions that require treatment. 

What conditions can cause muscle spasms?

Several neurodegenerative conditions and movement disorders may be associated with muscle spasms or cramps. These include:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) 
• Motor neurone disease (MND)
• Movement disorders, such as dystonia
• Functional neurological disorder (FNR)

While there are no cures for these conditions, current treatments focus on achieving adequate management of their symptoms, which includes muscle spasms. 

Medical cannabis for muscle spasms

In recent years, cannabis-based medicines have become a viable option for many patients living with these conditions. Some evidence indicates that, among other benefits, cannabis-based medicines may be useful in managing muscle spasms. 

So, is medical cannabis a muscle relaxant? Let’s take a closer look at the evidence for medical cannabis treatment in the conditions mentioned above. 

Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells. This can cause significant damage to the brain and spinal cord leading to a wide range of movement, sensory, and cognitive symptoms.

Despite being made legal in November 2018, to this day, cannabis-based medicines are only recommended by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for NHS use in three conditions: rare forms of treatment-resistant epilepsy, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and spasticity in multiple sclerosis. 

Medical cannabis and multiple sclerosis

Muscle spasms and stiffness are some of the most common symptoms of MS, affecting between 60% and 84% of people throughout the progression of the disease. Spasticity can have a significant impact on the quality of life of individuals living with MS. As such, a number of studies have focused on the potential of medical cannabis in the management of this common symptom. 

A 2022 review aimed to establish this potential, noting that most clinical studies have demonstrated the positive effects of cannabinoids in reducing most MS symptoms. For example, several studies, including a 2013 double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study, found that Sativex (1:1 THC:CBD) was associated with significantly reduced spasticity scores in patients with MS.

Motor neurone disease

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) - also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - is a rare, progressive neurological disease that causes damage to motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. This damage can cause a significant decline in muscle activity, such as walking, speaking, and eventually breathing. This neurodegeneration can also cause muscle pain, cramps, and spasms. 

Medical cannabis and motor neurone disease

Following the approval of medical cannabis for MS spasticity, the authors of a 2019 double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated whether cannabinoids might also reduce spasticity symptoms in patients with MND. In their initial proof-of-concept trial, they found that nabiximols (Sativex) had a positive effect on spasticity along with an acceptable safety and tolerability profile. 

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

CRPS is a rare and poorly understood condition that causes persistent and debilitating pain. It commonly affects one limb but can also spread to other parts of the body. The affected area may also become swollen, stiff, or experience spasms. While CRPS is often triggered by injury, the symptoms associated with the condition are often irreversible, making adequate symptom management vital.

Medical cannabis and complex regional pain syndrome

Few studies have investigated the potential of medical cannabis in the treatment of CRPS, particularly with a focus on muscle spasms. However, the potential muscle-relaxing, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties of cannabis-based medicines may translate in this setting. It is possible to get a medical cannabis prescription for CRPS, under the supervision of a specialist doctor.

Movement disorders

Movement disorders are neurological conditions that can cause abnormal movements, including involuntary muscle contractions. Dystonia is one of the most common movement disorders, and it affects around 1% of the population. 

Medical cannabis and dystonia

Several studies have investigated cannabis as a potential treatment for dystonia. One study, published in 2023, found that individuals with widespread dystonia who reported long-term cannabis use reported an average of a 63% reduction in symptoms. Participants with more focal dystonia also reported a reduction of 32%.

Treating muscle spasms in other settings

Muscle spasms and spasticity can be symptoms of a number of other conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and functional neurological disease (FND). While preliminary evidence suggests that medical cannabis may be useful in treating a number of symptoms associated with these conditions, there is a paucity of research with a focus on muscle spasms. 

Nonetheless, medical cannabis can be considered when other conventional therapies have failed to achieve adequate relief.

Final thoughts

Muscle spasm is a common physical symptom that can be associated with a number of health conditions and challenges. Often, they are a symptom of an underlying health problem that will require a multi-faceted treatment approach. 

Medical cannabis can be considered as an adjunct therapy for many conditions when other treatments are deemed unsuccessful. Learn more about how to get a medical cannabis prescription in the UK - speak to a specialist healthcare professional today.