What is CBD?
CBD, also known as (cannabidiol) is a chemical compound found in cannabis. It is the second most prevalent behind THC (which is the one that gets you high.)
Unlike THC, however, CBD has no mind-altering effects, while still offering many of the remarkable health benefits associated with cannabis. CBD is used in a variety of therapeutic settings, to treat a range of conditions including mental health issues, depression, and neuropathic pain.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease affecting the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). MS is an autoimmune disease, whereby the immune system attacks the myelin that cover nerve fibers, causing brain-body communication problems which may lead the nerves to deteriorate or become permanently damaged.
MS symptoms vary from spasticity, severe pain, fatigue, bladder and bowel problems to mental changes and other brain issues.
The root cause of Multiple Sclerosis is still unclear, but it appears to related to destruction by the immune system or failure of the myelin-producing cells. Multiple Sclerosis may be related either to genetics or environmental factors such as viral infections.
While there’s no known cure for multiple sclerosis, treatment can help speed recovery from attacks, modify the course of the disease and manage its symptoms. Multiple sclerosis is the most common autoimmune disorder related to the central nervous system. MS usually begins between the ages of 20 and 50 and is twice as common in women as it is in men.
Cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, was found to be effective for inflammation, immunomodulatory, pain and spasticity for MS patients.
CBD has also been shown to act as a “neuroprotective agent” through several mechanisms, reducing oxidative stress, and attenuating glial activation.
That makes CBD a promising candidate for MS treatment, especially as it is holistic and non-addictive.