Medical Cannabis Improved Quality of Life in MS Patients Over Two Years | Research

The takeaway

In 203 multiple sclerosis patients tracked in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry for up to 24 months, cannabis-based products were associated with improvements in pain, energy, sleep, and quality of life, with mostly mild to moderate side effects.

Neurologists treating MS, MS patients considering medical cannabis, and health registry researchers.

What the researchers found

CBMP treatment was associated with significant improvements in multiple MSQOL-54 subscales (change in health, energy, health distress, pain, physical function, physical role limitations) plus sleep quality and EQ-5D-5L at all follow-up times. 82.4% of adverse events were mild or moderate, with fatigue (13.3%) and spasticity (8.4%) most common.

Why it matters

While nabiximols (Sativex) is licensed for MS spasticity, broader cannabis-based products are increasingly used by MS patients for pain, sleep, and anxiety. This 24-month registry data provides the longest follow-up to date for real-world CBMP use in MS.

The numbers in context

203 patients (47.3% female, 80.8% had prior cannabis exposure). Significant improvements in 6 MSQOL-54 subscales, SQS, and EQ-5D-5L at all follow-up times. 278 total adverse events: 32.7% mild, 49.6% moderate. Most common: fatigue (13.3%), spasticity (8.4%).

How the study worked

Prospective case series of 203 MS patients enrolled on the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Patient-reported outcomes (MSQOL-54, GAD-7, SQS, EQ-5D-5L) assessed at baseline and follow-up to 24 months. Adverse events tracked by prevalence and severity.

What this study cannot tell us

No control group or randomization. 80.8% had prior cannabis exposure, introducing selection bias. Registry data relies on self-reported outcomes. Dropout and missing data over 24 months not fully characterized. Cannot determine which specific CBMP formulations drove improvements.

How to read the evidence

Prospective registry with validated outcome measures and extended follow-up, but uncontrolled design and selection bias significantly limit causal inference.

When this study was published

Published 2025.

The bigger picture

MS patients face a constellation of symptoms that often require multiple medications. Registry data showing broad quality-of-life improvements with cannabis-based products over two years suggests potential for simplifying treatment regimens, though the lack of a control group limits causal conclusions.

Questions still open

Whether the improvements would persist in a randomized controlled trial against active comparators
Which specific cannabinoid formulations and dosing schedules optimize MS symptom management

Common questions

How is this different from Sativex?

Sativex (nabiximols) is a specific THC:CBD mouth spray licensed for MS spasticity. This study examined a wider range of cannabis-based medicinal products prescribed through the UK Medical Cannabis Registry for multiple MS symptoms, not just spasticity.

Did anxiety improve?

The abstract mentions GAD-7 (anxiety) as a measured outcome but highlights improvements in pain, energy, sleep, and physical function specifically. The results for anxiety improvement were apparently not significant at all time points.

Read the original research

UK Medical Cannabis Registry: An Updated Analysis of Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products for Multiple Sclerosis.

Medical cannabis and cannabinoids, 8(1), 201-218

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Shah, Yashvi; Erridge, Simon; Clarke, Evonne; McLachlan, Katy; Coomber, Ross; Rucker, James; Weatherall, Mark; Sodergren, Mikael Hans. (2025). UK Medical Cannabis Registry: An Updated Analysis of Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products for Multiple Sclerosis.. Medical cannabis and cannabinoids, 8(1), 201-218. https://doi.org/10.1159/000549178