By 2007, Clinical Trials Were Beginning to Show Cannabinoids Help With MS Pain and Spasticity | Research

The takeaway

After years of conflicting results, the majority of clinical trials were converging on the finding that cannabinoids benefit at least a subset of MS patients for pain and spasticity.

Read this if you have MS and want an overview of the clinical trial evidence for cannabinoid treatments as it stood in 2007.

Majority of clinical trials showed cannabinoids benefit a subset of MS patients

What the researchers found

This review surveyed the rapidly expanding clinical trial landscape for cannabinoids in multiple sclerosis, covering THC, dronabinol, Sativex (THC:CBD), CT-3, nabilone, and other cannabis extracts.

The author noted a shift from earlier conflicting evidence to emerging consensus: the majority of recent studies suggested cannabinoids were useful for at least some MS patients with pain and spasticity. The adverse side effect profile was generally described as mild compared to other drugs used for these symptoms.

However, two concerns remained: potential long-term psychiatric side effects and effects on fetal development. The review emphasized that the field was moving from whether cannabinoids work in MS to identifying which patients benefit most and optimizing formulations.

Why it matters

This review captured a turning point in the field: by 2007, the evidence had shifted from uncertain to generally supportive of cannabinoids for MS symptoms. This consensus eventually led to regulatory approvals.

The numbers in context

Multiple cannabinoid formulations reviewed: THC, dronabinol, Sativex (THC:CBD), CT-3, nabilone. Multiple clinical trials surveyed. Side effects generally rated as mild compared to alternatives.

How the study worked

Narrative review of recent clinical trials investigating cannabinoids for MS symptom management. The author compared findings across different cannabinoid formulations, study designs, and outcome measures.

What this study cannot tell us

As a narrative review, it did not formally assess bias or evidence quality across studies. The "subset of individuals" who benefit was not well characterized. Long-term safety data remained limited.

How to read the evidence

This is a narrative review synthesizing clinical trial evidence. While it reflects a growing consensus, it does not apply systematic review methodology.

When this study was published

Published in 2007. The evidence base has expanded substantially since then, and Sativex has been approved in over 25 countries for MS spasticity.

The bigger picture

The gradual consensus described in this review ultimately supported the approval of Sativex in over 25 countries for MS-related spasticity. The question shifted from "do cannabinoids work?" to "for whom and how best?"

Questions still open

Which MS patients respond best to cannabinoid therapy? What are the long-term psychiatric risks of sustained cannabinoid use in MS patients?

Common questions

Which cannabinoid formulation works best for MS?

As of this review, Sativex (THC:CBD mouth spray) had the strongest clinical trial support. Different formulations showed varying efficacy, suggesting the specific composition and delivery method matter significantly.

Why do only some MS patients benefit?

The review didn't fully explain this. Possible factors include the type and location of MS lesions, individual endocannabinoid system differences, and the specific symptoms being targeted. Identifying predictors of response remains an active research area.

Read the original research

Symptomatic treatment of multiple sclerosis using cannabinoids: recent advances.

Expert review of neurotherapeutics, 7(9), 1157-63

View on PubMed ↗

Citation

Smith, Paul F. (2007). Symptomatic treatment of multiple sclerosis using cannabinoids: recent advances.. Expert review of neurotherapeutics, 7(9), 1157-63.