In a retrospective review of 141 MS patients using medical cannabis, 72% reported pain improvement, 48% had spasticity relief, and opioid use dropped significantly among those previously prescribed them.
MS patients, neurologists, pain management clinicians, medical cannabis researchers.
72% of MS patients reported pain improvement after starting medical cannabis
What the researchers found
Pain improvement was reported by 72% of patients, spasticity relief by 48%, and sleep improvement by 40%. Among patients prescribed opioid analgesics, daily morphine milligram equivalents decreased significantly (P=.01) after starting medical cannabis. Fatigue was the most common adverse event, reported by 11%.
Why it matters
MS patients often struggle to manage pain, spasticity, and sleep with standard medications. The significant reduction in opioid use is particularly relevant given the opioid crisis, suggesting medical cannabis may help MS patients reduce reliance on opioid painkillers.
The numbers in context
N=141 MS patients. Pain improvement: 72%. Spasticity relief: 48%. Sleep improvement: 40%. Opioid reduction: significant (P=.01). Most common adverse event: fatigue (11%).
How the study worked
Retrospective medical record review of 141 MS patients receiving medical cannabis at a neurology outpatient clinic, with data collected for up to 4 follow-up appointments after MC initiation.
What this study cannot tell us
Retrospective design without a control group. No placebo comparison. Self-reported symptom improvement. Single clinic setting. Decreases in muscle relaxant and benzodiazepine use did not reach significance.
How to read the evidence
Retrospective chart review without a control group, but meaningful sample size and significant opioid reduction finding.
When this study was published
Published in 2023.
The bigger picture
This adds to growing evidence that medical cannabis may play a role in MS symptom management, particularly for pain and spasticity. The opioid-sparing effect aligns with findings from other chronic pain populations.
Questions still open
- Would a randomized controlled trial confirm the opioid-sparing effect of medical cannabis in MS patients?
- Which cannabis formulations and doses are most effective for MS symptoms?
Common questions
Does medical cannabis help MS symptoms?
Did medical cannabis reduce opioid use in MS patients?
Read the original research
Multiple Sclerosis and Use of Medical Cannabis: A Retrospective Review of a Neurology Outpatient Population.
International journal of MS care, 25(3), 111-117
Citation
Rainka, Michelle M; Aladeen, Traci S; Mattle, Anna G; Lewandowski, Emily; Vanini, Denis; McCormack, Katelyn; Mechtler, Laszlo. (2023). Multiple Sclerosis and Use of Medical Cannabis: A Retrospective Review of a Neurology Outpatient Population.. International journal of MS care, 25(3), 111-117. https://doi.org/10.7224/1537-2073.2022-006
Explore the wider topic
- CBD Oil Quality Guide: How to Avoid Snake Oil
- Anxiety After Quitting Weed: When to Consider Medication
- Cannabis for Chemotherapy Nausea: What the Evidence Actually Shows
- Cannabis for Chronic Pain: What the Research Actually Supports
- Cannabis and Epilepsy: The Epidiolex Story and What It Means
- Does CBD Actually Work for Anxiety? What the Evidence Shows
- Does CBD Help with Weed Withdrawal? What Studies Show
- CBD vs THC: The Differences That Actually Matter
- The Proven Medical Benefits of Cannabis: What Research Supports
- Quitting Weed Before Surgery
- Weed and Medications: What Changes When You Quit
- Quitting Weed During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
- Quitting Weed While Pregnant: What You Need to Know
- Cannabis and Older Adults: Risks Seniors Should Know
- Cannabis and Breastfeeding: THC in Breast Milk