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Help Combat Muscle Spasms And Cramps
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Study: Cannabis Might Help Combat Muscle Spasms And Cramps

2 min

Cannabis is proving itself useful for a plethora of health conditions. One study has shown that the herb may play an important role in reducing muscle spasms and other painful symptoms associated with the condition.

Cannabis is gaining international recognition for its role as a multifunctional medicine that has the potential to treat a wide range of disorders and conditions. As greater research and more comprehensive legislation of the herb gains momentum, its use as a medicine seems to continuously expand. One condition that weed appears capable of treating are muscles spasms, which are characterised by involuntary muscle contractions.

WHAT ARE MUSCLE SPASMS?

Muscle spasms can occur at different times, including during exercise and in the middle of what you thought was going to be a restful night’s sleep. These spasms or “cramps” come on when muscles in the body become tight and painful. Often named “charley horses,” muscle cramps located in the calf muscle are one of the most common manifestations of this condition.

There is no single trigger of muscle spasms and the painful and uncomfortable cramps they instigate. There are multiple underlying factors that may trigger these reactions, among them poor blood circulation, overworked muscles, muscular fatigue, dehydration and mineral deficiencies in magnesium and potassium.

Muscle cramps and spasms are also common symptoms of certain chronic diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Tourette’s Syndrome and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

There are quite a few medications that are typically prescribed to help those suffering from frequent muscle spasms and cramps. Some of these drugs include diuretic pills that flush fluids from the body. Others include statins, asthma medications and drugs used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, some of these pharmaceutical drugs are associated with negative and harmful side effects. Fortunately, there is a natural, safe and herbal alternative to muscle spasms in the form of cannabis.

HOW CAN MARIJUANA HELP WITH MUSCLE SPASMS?

The use of cannabis for the treatment of muscle spasms and cramps far exceeds anecdotal accounts and speculation. Scientific research has explored the herb’s effects on this condition and the results look promising. A scientific paper titled “Smoked cannabis for spasticity in multiple sclerosis: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial” examined the application of cannabis on this specific condition.

The study featured 37 participants with multiple sclerosis, 30 of which completed the study. The aim of the experiment was to determine the short-term effects of smoked cannabis on the spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis. The placebo controlled crossover trial split the subjects into two groups. The intervention group was administered smoked cannabis once daily over a period of three days. Subjects in the control group were given placebo cigarettes once daily over the same three day period.

By the conclusion of the study, it was found that the patients given smoked cannabis showed improvements in both pain and spasticity. The authors of the paper noted that no adverse effects from the cannabis occurred throughout the duration of the study. The authors concluded that “Smoked cannabis was superior to placebo in symptoms and pain reduction in participants with treatment-resistant spasticity. Future studies should examine whether different doses can result in similar beneficial effect with less cognitive impact.”

THE BEST STRAINS FOR MUSCLES SPASMS

When it comes to assisting with muscle spasms, some strains definitely carry more potential than others. Here are a few varieties that appear to foot the bill.

PINEAPPLE KUSH

Pineapple Kush is a THC-forward hybrid that leans more on the indica side of the spectrum. This genetic dominance culminates in a heavy-hitting body high that is calming and recognised to provide relief against tension and stress. This relaxing, medicinal quality makes Pineapple Kush a potential favourite when it comes to treating muscle spasms.

Pineapple Kush (Royal Queen Seeds) feminized

(33)
Parents: Pineapple x O.G. Kush
Genetics: 80% Indica / 20% Sativa
Flowering Time: 7-8 weeks
THC: 18%
CBD: Low
Flowering Type: Photoperiod

DANCE WORLD

Dance World is a hybrid containing 25 percent indica genetics and 75 percent sativa. The strain has a relatively low THC content around 12 percent. However, it also boasts CBD levels near 11 percent. People who suffer from muscles spasms have reported Dance World to offer some relief from symptoms.

Dance World (Royal Queen Seeds) feminized

(26)
Parents: Dancehall 20 x Juanita la Lagrímosa
Genetics: 25% Indica / 75% Sativa
Flowering Time: 8-9 weeks
THC: 12%
CBD: 11%
Flowering Type: Photoperiod

TRAINWRECK

Trainwreck is a hybrid that boasts an impressive THC content of 22 percent, with a minor CBD concentration of less than 1 percent. This mammoth amount of THC contributes to a heavy high that is both potent and reported to assist with numerous medical conditions, including physical tension, cramps and muscles aches.

Train Wreck (Greenhouse Seeds) feminized

(11)
Parents: Arcata, California.
Genetics: 60% Indica / 40% Sativa
Flowering Time: 9-10 weeks
THC: 22%
CBD: 0-1%
Flowering Type: Photoperiod

Miguel Antonio Ordoñez
Miguel Antonio Ordoñez
With an AB Mass Media and Communications degree, Miguel Ordoñez is a veteran writer of 13 years and counting and has been covering cannabis-related content since 2017. Continuous, meticulous research along with personal experience has helped him build a deep well of knowledge on the subject.
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