One in Five People with MS Uses Cannabis for Symptom Relief
In a survey of 3,249 people with multiple sclerosis, 20% were currently using cannabis to treat symptoms, most commonly spasticity, pain, and sleep problems.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 3,249 respondents from the NARCOMS Registry, 31% had ever used cannabis for MS symptoms and 20% were current users, while 69% who had never tried it cited insufficient efficacy data (40%), safety concerns (27%), and legality (25%) as barriers.
Key Numbers
6,934 invited; 3,249 responded; 31% ever used cannabis for MS; 20% current users; spasticity (80%), pain (69%), sleep (61%) most common targets; barriers: insufficient efficacy data (40%), safety concerns (27%), legality (25%), cost (18%).
How They Did This
Cross-sectional supplemental survey of participants aged 18+ from the NARCOMS Registry (March-April 2020), reported with descriptive statistics.
Why This Research Matters
Despite limited clinical evidence, a substantial portion of MS patients are turning to cannabis for symptom management, suggesting a gap between patient needs and available evidence-based treatments.
The Bigger Picture
The high rate of cannabis use among MS patients, combined with common barriers like legal concerns and lack of efficacy data, suggests that clinical research on cannabis for MS symptoms has not kept pace with patient demand.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Self-selected respondents from a patient registry; potential selection bias toward those with stronger opinions about cannabis; self-reported use without verification.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do MS patients who use cannabis experience measurable improvements in spasticity and pain compared to those who don't?
- ?Would access to more efficacy data change the usage rates among those who cited it as a barrier?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 20% of MS patients surveyed currently use cannabis for symptom management
- Evidence Grade:
- Large survey from established patient registry provides moderate-quality descriptive data, limited by self-selection and self-report.
- Study Age:
- Survey conducted March-April 2020.
- Original Title:
- A Survey of Cannabis Use in a Large US-Based Cohort of People with Multiple Sclerosis.
- Published In:
- International journal of MS care, 23(6), 245-252 (2021)
- Authors:
- Salter, Amber, Fox, Robert J, Cutter, Gary(2), Marrie, Ruth Ann, Nichol, Kate E, Steinerman, Joshua R, Smith, Karry M J
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03488
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What MS symptoms are people trying to treat with cannabis?
The most common symptoms targeted were spasticity (80%), pain (69%), and sleep problems (61%).
Why do some MS patients avoid using cannabis?
Among those who had never used cannabis for MS, 40% cited insufficient efficacy data, 27% had safety concerns, 25% were concerned about legality, and 18% cited cost.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03488APA
Salter, Amber; Fox, Robert J; Cutter, Gary; Marrie, Ruth Ann; Nichol, Kate E; Steinerman, Joshua R; Smith, Karry M J. (2021). A Survey of Cannabis Use in a Large US-Based Cohort of People with Multiple Sclerosis.. International journal of MS care, 23(6), 245-252. https://doi.org/10.7224/1537-2073.2021-036
MLA
Salter, Amber, et al. "A Survey of Cannabis Use in a Large US-Based Cohort of People with Multiple Sclerosis.." International journal of MS care, 2021. https://doi.org/10.7224/1537-2073.2021-036
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "A Survey of Cannabis Use in a Large US-Based Cohort of Peopl..." RTHC-03488. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/salter-2021-a-survey-of-cannabis
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.