1 in 4
people in the UK are born with cerebral palsy, a condition associated with spasticity.
150,000+
people are living with MS in the UK, with over two-thirds of MS UK survey respondents reporting struggling with spasticity and spasms.
25%
of stroke patients may develop post-stroke spasticity.
47.5%
of 1,669 respondents to the largest survey of active UK medical cannabis patients ever conducted reported being prescribed the medication for chronic pain, a symptom commonly associated with spasticity.
Symptoms
Involuntary contractions
Involuntary movements
Muscle fatigue
Muscle spasms
Muscle stiffness
Pain
Tight muscles
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms. Please speak with your GP to find out more.
Treatment options:
Depending on the cause or severity of your spasticity, the NHS may offer you a range of different treatments. Non-surgical treatments may include a combination of therapy such as occupational therapy and physical therapy, Botox injections, and medications such as:
Baclofen
Benzodiazepines
Dantrolene sodium
Gabapentin
Imidazolines
Tizanidine
Whether you’re new to cannabis-based medicines, switching from another medical cannabis clinic, or self-medicating, we’ll put you back in control of your health.
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"Spasticity, marked by muscle stiffness and spasms, often affects those with neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy or stroke. Medicinal cannabis may help reduce these symptoms by targeting the endocannabinoid system, providing relief from muscle rigidity and discomfort."
Dr Michal Modestowicz
Neurology
12. 07. 2023
When applied as part of a tailored and managed treatment plan, medical cannabis has been shown to improve the overall control of epileptic seizures. In fact, it is the only non-pharmaceutical treatment option that has been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in England for two exceedingly rare forms of epilepsy.
12. 07. 2023
10. 02. 2024
International Epilepsy Day 2026 offers a timely look at epilepsy care in the UK. With over 630,000 people affected here in the UK, this guide explains how peoplle with epilepsy can legally acces medical cannabis treatment, along with seizure management research, and how legal frameworks continue to shape treatment options.
10. 02. 2024
14. 07. 2023
Neurological disorders. Varied, potentially devastating, and hard to group into one easy-to-digest category. They are essentially diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system conditions and include epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer's disease and dementia, ALS, Bell's palsy, and a huge range of separate neuromuscular disorders.
14. 07. 2023
A doctor may prescribe medical cannabis for spasticity if they determine that this is the best course of action to help manage muscle spasms and stiffness, and associated symptoms. Living with uncontrollable, jerking motions, cramping muscles, or pain and stiffness can be exhausting, which is why some patients seek out alternative treatments, including medical cannabis.
Muscle spasticity cannabis treatments fall into two main categories:
Licensed medication: Nabiximols is the only licensed cannabis-based medication for spasticity, provided under the brand name Sativex. This medicine is only prescribed for multiple sclerosis patients.
Legal medical cannabis: For other conditions associated with stiffness and muscle spasms, medical cannabis may be prescribed by a medical professional. Spasticity medical cannabis treatment for conditions such as strokes or spinal cord injuries may help patients manage spasms, stiffness, pain, and sleep problems, among other symptoms. These medications are only legal under medical supervision and are not classed as licensed treatments.
Administering medical cannabis for spasticity could be a new approach for some patients who have not found the results they wanted with other treatment options.
There are many causes of spasticity. Here are some of the most common conditions linked to problematic muscle spasms and stiffness:
|
Spasticity-related condition |
Cause |
Symptoms and conventional treatment options |
|
MS is a progressive autoimmune condition that affects the spinal cord and brain, and it can develop at any age. Causes may be genetic but are not yet well understood. |
Common symptoms include fatigue, vision problems, reduced coordination, memory problems, numbness, tingling, pain, and spasticity. Spasms and muscle stiffness may impact up to 80% of MS patients. Drugs like baclofen, tizanidine, gabapentin, Dantrium, and diazepam may be prescribed to specifically target tight or spasming muscles. Nabiximols/Sativex is a licensed cannabis-based drug in the UK used to treat muscle stiffness and spasms only caused by MS. |
|
|
Cerebral palsy |
Cerebral palsy is a developmental condition caused by damage to the brain, infection, stroke, or injury, usually developing before or soon after birth. |
Tremors, stiffness, uncontrolled movements, and muscle spasms. Treatment plans are complex, combining physiotherapy, painkillers, and muscle relaxants like baclofen and diazepam to help with spasticity. |
|
Stroke |
There are two main causes of stroke: bleeding in the brain or the blockage of a blood vessel to the brain. |
Initial symptoms of stroke include facial weakness and drooping, arm weakness, and slurred speech. Seek medical help immediately if you experience these symptoms. After a stroke, patients may have physical disabilities and a loss of mobility, problems with coordination, and mental health problems. The Stroke Association (UK) states that around a quarter of stroke patients develop post-stroke spasticity, which may be treated with exercise, muscle relaxants, or Botox. |
|
Spinal cord injury |
Any accident or injury that damages the spinal cord can cause spasticity. Statistics suggest that 65% of people with a spinal cord injury will develop spasticity. |
Violent, reflexive contractions of muscles resulting in jerking motions that may be accompanied by pain, including neuropathic pain. NSAIDs and opioids may be used for pain, while treatments ranging from baclofen to Botox may help with muscle spasms. |
|
Dystonia can develop on its own as an inherited genetic condition, or as a result of MS, cerebral palsy, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or as a reaction to certain medications. |
Uncontrollable cramps and muscle spasms that move the body into abnormal positions. Botox and muscle relaxants can help, and sometimes surgery may be recommended. |
For spasticity, a new treatment UK patients may not have considered is medical cannabis. With medical cannabis, muscle spasms may be reduced or less frequent for some patients, because of the medication’s effect on the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS has an impact on most aspects of wellness, including muscle tone, pain perception, sleep, and appetite. Compounds in medical cannabis may bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors in the ECS, which modulate immune function, inflammation, and neural signalling.
Symptoms medical cannabis may help with:
|
Symptom |
How symptom presents |
How medical cannabis for spasticity and other symptoms might help |
|
Muscle stiffness and spasms |
Uncontrollable jerky movements, cramps, or sudden tension or contraction in the muscles. |
Medical cannabis may be associated with better-regulated muscle tone and a reduced risk of spasms, due to the action of cannabinoids on the ECS. |
|
Persistent spasms can lead to headaches, musculoskeletal pain, and neuropathic pain. |
Many studies indicate that medical cannabis offers a potential anti-inflammatory effect. One 2024 report assessed 290 patients dealing with daily chronic pain, who reported significant drops in pain levels when taking cannabis-based medicine. |
|
|
The daily stress of living with a chronic condition can lead to constant worry, feeling on edge, and problems socialising. Up to 60% of MS patients may experience anxiety at some point. |
One review of research from 2025 concluded that 70% of relevant studies support administering CBD or THC for anxiety. |
|
|
Pain and the unpredictable nature of spasticity can lead to long-lasting periods of low mood, feelings of despair, and isolation. |
A 2022 assessment of 129 patients treated with medical cannabis showed reported reductions in depression symptoms at one, three, and six months. |
|
|
Difficulties sleeping, including insomnia and frequent waking due to muscle spasms, can cause prolonged fatigue. |
Some patients find that medical cannabis helps promote relaxation and better sleep. |
Some people may find that medical cannabis works as a muscle relaxant, reducing stiffness and lowering the frequency of spasms. However, medical cannabis doesn’t work for everyone.
The MS Society states that the licensed medication Sativex only works for some people, but when it is effective, it can cause significant improvements. They also state that the cannabis-based medicine helps some people with tremors, bladder problems, and sleep difficulties.
Some people may try CBD oil for spasticity, perhaps having heard that this cannabinoid is used in the anti-convulsant medicine, Epidyolex. This medication is specifically licensed for treating epilepsy, to control seizures. Seizures are not the same as muscle spasms, however, there is some evidence that CBD may help modulate muscle tone and coordination, which could offer potential therapeutic effects for spasticity.
Baclofen and tizanidine are muscle relaxants often prescribed for spasticity. Botox injections work in a slightly different way, blocking nerve impulses to the muscle to prevent it from spasming or jerking.
MS patients may be prescribed Sativex if other treatments haven’t worked. Patients with other conditions may consider medical cannabis as an augmentation to their current treatment plan as part of a holistic approach to address spasticity, pain, sleeplessness, and mood regulation.
A consultant will always consider what other medications you’re taking before recommending medical cannabis for spasticity and related symptoms.
When considering spasticity alternative treatment, UK patients may want to know exactly what type of medical cannabis is available.
Medical cannabis options for spasticity in the UK may include:
· Oils
· Pastilles
· Dried flower for vaporisers
· Capsules
Your consultant will discuss the best format for you during your assessment.
Medical cannabis can, for some people, cause dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, and changes in appetite. A 2026 review of research into the effectiveness of cannabis for managing MS determined that “Adverse events [side effects] were generally mild…” A more recent review of research from August 2026 stated that significant adverse events were rare. More importantly, these significant effects were observed across both the treatment and placebo groups, suggesting they “...were not considered related to the intervention [treatment].”
If a patient experiences side effects, they should discuss them with their consultant.
To check eligibility for spasticity cannabis treatment, UK patients can fill out a 30-second form on the Releaf website. Releaf is the most trusted UK medical cannabis clinic, evidenced by our 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from over 9,000 reviews.
How Releaf works: Check your eligibility and, if eligible, book a consultation. Your Releaf consultant will assess your symptoms and situation, and if appropriate, prescribe medical cannabis. You can then decide if this is the best next step for you, to help better manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
If you want to find out more about spasticity medical cannabis UK treatments, complete the medical cannabis eligibility checker or contact our team.
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