Cannabis extracts containing both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) may help relieve spasticity in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a review of data from over two dozen clinical trials. The reviewed clinical trials involved more than 3,000 combined subjects.

A team of researchers based in Brazil and affiliated with the Federal University of Paraná reviewed data from multiple research databases “to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cannabinoids for the treatment of MS-related spasticity.” The review’s findings were published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

“Twenty-seven studies (>3000 participants) were included. Interventions comprised tetrahydrocannabinol:cannabidiol (THC:CBD) extracts, other cannabis extracts, isolated cannabinoids (natural or synthetic), and smoked cannabis. In pairwise meta-analysis (7 studies), THC:CBD extracts reduced patient-reported spasticity versus placebo (MD −0.82; 95% CI −1.24 to −0.40; I2 = 53%). Network meta-analysis confirmed superiority of THC:CBD (MD −0.80; 95% CrI −1.61 to −0.32).” the researchers found.

“Cannabinoids provide modest improvements in patient-reported spasticity in MS, with more consistent effects for THC:CBD extracts.” the researchers concluded.

Multiple sclerosis is a serious health condition that impacts the lives of many suffering patients around the globe. It is estimated that as many as 2.8 million people suffer from MS worldwide and that a person is diagnosed somewhere on the planet with the health condition every 5 minutes.

MS is a progressive disease involving damage to the sheaths of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to, numbness, impaired speech, impaired muscular coordination, blurred vision, and severe fatigue.

The recent research conducted in Brazil builds on previous research conducted by investigators in other parts of the world. For example, researchers in Greece previously found that vaporized cannabis containing CBD and THC was associated with sustained improvements in patients with MS.

According to a separate study in the United Kingdom, MS patients reported improvements in their quality of life after completing cannabis therapies. The UK study assessed the use of medical cannabis (flower and oil extracts) in 141 MS patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.