Can I get medical cannabis for multiple sclerosis pain?
You may be prescribed medical cannabis for multiple sclerosis (MS) by a specialist consultant, if they determine that this medication may help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with MS.
Back in 2014, the MS Society (UK) surveyed patients and found that one in five had self-administered cannabis to help with MS symptoms, including spasticity, muscle stiffness, and pain. Four years later, in 2018, medical cannabis became legal, under strict medical supervision, for various conditions, including neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis.
Sativex on the NHS versus a private prescription: what is the difference?
Many people may have heard of the link between cannabis and multiple sclerosis via the medication Sativex. Sativex is a cannabis-derived medication prescribed for moderate to severe spasticity, in cases where other medications haven’t been effective.
Sativex is the brand name for a medication called nabiximols. It’s licensed for treating muscle spasms and stiffness specifically associated with MS. Other forms of medical cannabis, while legal under medical supervision, are not classified as licensed medications. However, Sativex doesn’t address all the symptoms associated with the condition. For example, for MS pain, medical cannabis treatment in the UK may be prescribed as an additional way to help alleviate this symptom and improve quality of life, in some cases.
How might medical cannabis help MS symptoms?
Does cannabis help MS symptoms other than spasticity? Some patients may find that it does. Here are some of the symptoms someone living with MS may be prescribed medical cannabis for:
|
Multiple sclerosis symptoms
|
How symptoms present
|
Medical cannabis for low back pain: How it might help
|
|
Spasticity
|
Muscle spasms can occur at any time, making someone clench, arch their back, lash out with a limb, or clamp limbs together. Muscles may also feel very tight and stiff, which can become painful.
|
Research is so confident that cannabis can help with spasticity and stiffness that one cannabis-derived medication (Sativex/nabiximols) is now licensed for use in some specific cases to help with these symptoms. Some people may also find that non-licensed medical cannabis helps with spasticity. One study found that cannabis appeared to reduce spasticity scores on the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) by 2.74 points more than a placebo.
|
|
Pain
|
People living with MS may experience both musculoskeletal pain and neuropathic pain. Some of the pain may be associated with spasticity and increased muscle stiffness. Other pain is caused by damage to the myelin sheath that protects nerves. This can cause strange, crawling sensations on the skin, specific conditions like trigeminal neuralgia, and limb pain.
|
Some people may find that medical cannabis for multiple sclerosis pain can help reduce their perception of pain or promote relaxation that could reduce the stiffness that may exacerbate pain. Research indicates that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is significantly involved in how someone perceives pain. The compounds found in medical cannabis could offer a potentially therapeutic effect on the ECS.
|
|
Bladder problems
|
Bladder dysfunction is common in MS, affecting an estimated 75% of patients with the condition. Problems range from incontinence to difficulty emptying the bladder, and may be accompanied by bladder pain.
|
In addition to being prescribed medical cannabis for MS pain, some patients may be eligible for the medication for help with bladder management. Some studies appear to indicate a relationship between cannabinoids and bladder function, particularly in cases where increased bladder function may be beneficial, such as when the patient is struggling to empty their bladder.
|
|
Insomnia
|
Approximately half of people with MS state that they struggle with sleep, which is four times more than the general population. Problems may include insomnia, sleep apnoea, chronic snoring, and limb movement disorders like restless leg syndrome that cause nighttime waking.
|
One systematic review of evidence from 2022 stated with “moderate certainty” that medical cannabis appeared to offer at least small improvements in sleep quality versus a placebo, even for patients with chronic pain.
|
|
Tremor
|
Involuntary movements, such as shaking, trembling, or jerking, are known as tremor. Up to 58% of MS patients may experience tremor.
|
A 2020 study on the effectiveness of CBD for treating Parkinson’s disease reported that the cannabinoid appeared to significantly reduce the impact of movement disorders, including tremor. This could indicate that medical cannabis has potential for promoting the same positive response in some people living with MS-related tremors.
|
|
Anxiety
|
Pain and sleeplessness may contribute to anxiety, as can the fear of unpredictable movements, and the stress of living with a long-term condition that may get worse over time.
|
A review of available evidence from 2025 reported that 70% of studies on cannabis and anxiety appear to show that both CBD and THC may help with improved symptom management.
|
|
Depression
|
Persistent low mood is commonly associated with MS and may affect up to 50% of people living with the condition. Feelings of hopelessness and despair may occur, alongside a loss of enjoyment in hobbies or social activities.
|
Data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry states that depression questionnaire scores for 129 patients were reduced by 50%, on average, after a month of cannabis-based treatment.
|
THC or CBD for MS: what is the difference?
When investigating medicinal cannabis, multiple sclerosis patients may have heard of the term “phytocannabinoids.” These are compounds in the cannabis plant that may mimic the effect of cannabinoids produced by the human body, also known as endocannabinoids. These are a critical part of the ECS, and impact various aspects of health and wellness.
THC is well known as the psychoactive compound in cannabis. At high doses, it can induce feelings of intoxication, which may be due to its direct impact on receptors in the ECS. This impact could make THC useful for pain management, better sleep quality, and mood regulation.
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is another well-researched cannabinoid. Some people may already take CBD oil for multiple sclerosis symptoms, such as pain or sleeplessness. CBD oil for MS may have a supportive effect on the ECS, modulating how receptors react to other compounds and enzymes.
Medical cannabis for multiple sclerosis may offer additional benefits compared with taking a single cannabinoid on its own. Research indicates that the combination of compounds could help alleviate MS pain, spasticity, tremors, and sleep problems, potentially promoting a better quality of life, for some people.
Can medical cannabis slow MS down, or does it only treat symptoms?
Cannabinoids for multiple sclerosis treatment have potential for improved symptom management, but there is no evidence to suggest that medical cannabis can cure or slow the progression of MS.
MS is an autoimmune condition that leads to degradation of the myelin sheath that protects nerves. Treatments may include disease-modifying drugs or stem cell transplants aimed at slowing the progression of the condition. Medical cannabis is not a disease-modifying medication in this context, but could help manage pain and other distressing symptoms, in some cases.
What forms is medical cannabis prescribed in?
The different forms of medical cannabis multiple sclerosis patients may be prescribed include:
Your consultant will always take your personal preferences into account, as well as your current symptoms and situation.
Risks, side effects, and who it may not suit
While many people may be excited to learn if medical cannabis is good for MS symptoms, there are some possible risks and side effects to take into consideration. Side effects can occur, including dry mouth, nausea, and dizziness.
Some people may experience mild confusion, so if MS is already affecting memory or causing brain fog, that’s something to discuss with a consultant before deciding to take the medication.
How to get assessed for medical cannabis for MS in the UK
Medical cannabis for MS pain and other symptoms may offer a new treatment approach that some UK patients haven’t tried yet. To find out if you could be eligible, fill out the 30-second form on the Releaf website.
How Releaf works: Once you confirm your eligibility, you can book a consultation with one of over 50 specialists in our world-class clinical team, many of whom have extensive experience with MS. You’ll discuss your current treatment plan and how medical cannabis might fit alongside that, to potentially alleviate some symptoms and improve your quality of life. If you decide to go ahead, you can pay for your medication on a pay-as-you-go basis or opt for Releaf+. With Releaf+, there’s one monthly charge which gives you discounts on your medication plus a range of other benefits, including expert legal advice via Releaf Protect.
Releaf is the most trusted UK medical cannabis clinic, as shown by our 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from over 9,000 reviews. To learn more about medical cannabis for MS symptoms, contact our team or complete the medical cannabis eligibility checker online.
Releaf - redefining healthcare.
