Can Cannabis Help Leg Cramps and Muscle Cramps?

Everyone is prone to leg cramps, even occasionally.

Leg cramps are essentially involuntary muscle contractions that can be quite painful and can last from seconds to several minutes. These can occur in the middle of the night and wake you up, but they can also occur at any time of the day. When they occur, the muscles feel like they are suddenly contracting into a painful knot, causing the muscles around the area to be tender and sore even after the spasm has stopped.

The spasms can affect one or more muscle groups. The most commonly affected muscles are the quadriceps behind the lower calf and the hamstrings. Although leg cramps can sometimes occur for no reason (these are known as idiopathic leg cramps), most other cases are caused by stress, mineral deficiencies, high-intensity exercise, reduced blood supply, prolonged sitting, standing on concrete floors, and many others. Also, taking medications like diuretics and other medications can cause convulsions as a side effect. Other causes include diseases like dehydration, hormonal imbalances, liver cirrhosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and many others.

When the cramps occur, there are things you can do to relieve the pain once it occurs. These include massage, stretching, pain medication, applying hot or cold compresses, or elevating the leg. However, some medications may be necessary to relieve and reduce the frequency of spasms and cramps, especially if they occur too often. While leg cramps and cramps are harmless, they can be very annoying and affect the quality of life.

How cannabis can help

Imbalances in the endocannabinoid system can contribute to diseases and conditions that cause leg cramps and convulsions to occur more frequently. In addition, the endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating inflammation and pain, which is why cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) consumption helps reduce the symptoms of various conditions, including leg cramps.

Science tells us that CBD increases the production of anandamide, also known as the happiness molecule. For this reason, CBD is effective in regulating our perception of pain, possibly by better controlling the signals sent between the brain and nerves. In addition, since spasms and spasms are basically an inflammatory response, CBD reduces inflammation levels.

In fact, cannabis’ effectiveness in treating muscle spasms is so well known that Ayurvedic texts even recommend its use for this particular condition. There are also several studies documenting its use and benefits for muscle spasms. Countless athletes are already using THC and CBD to aid in muscle repair and recovery, and to prevent cramps associated with overworked muscles from overtraining. Some muscle cramp cannabis strains can lean towards the indica side of the cannabis plant.

In a 2010 study conducted by researchers at the University of South Carolina, researchers found that THC works to bind to the cannabinoid receptors within the endocannabinoid system to reduce the amount of inflammatory proteins. As a result, muscle cramps occurred much less frequently.

Then, in 2012, a study by researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine analyzed 30 subjects suffering from muscle spasticity. They were asked to smoke medical marijuana for relief and report on its effects. CBS reported, “Researchers found that participants in the smoked cannabis group experienced an average one-third decrease in scores, as measured by a spasticity test called the Ashworth scale, compared to participants given a placebo.”

Another 2012 study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry found that cannabis was actually effective at reducing muscle stiffness, particularly in patients with multiple sclerosis. When patients received cannabis, they reported major improvements after 4-8 weeks. “At the end of the study period, the rate of relief from muscle stiffness was twice that of those receiving the cannabis extract compared to those receiving the placebo,” the Science Daily report said. “Muscle stiffness was relieved in nearly 30 percent of patients treated with cannabis, compared to nearly 16 percent of those treated with placebo,” the report said.

In another study, researchers tested the effects of nabiximols, a cannabis-infused botanical drug made from various extracts, including THC and CBD, from the marijuana plant in 500 people with multiple sclerosis and spasticity. They received either placebo or nabiximols. The trials lasted 6 to 16 weeks, during which time researchers analyzed their spasticity levels using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). All studies showed a statistically significant improvement in spasticity in patients given nabiximol compared to placebo.

“Published reports suggest that a large number of people with MS have used or are currently using cannabis to relieve symptoms associated with spasticity,” said Dr. Francois Bethoux, MD, who works at the Cleveland Clinic’s Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research. He did not participate in the study, although he is an MS rehabilitation expert and consultant for GW Pharmaceuticals.

Conclusion

People suffering from leg cramps and convulsions may benefit from using cannabis. There are many ways you can treat spasms and cramps, although smoking and topical use are ideal for this condition. Whether you are taking CBD, THC, or a combination of both, you will experience excellent relief from cannabis due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. With cannabis products, you have a safe and natural solution to treat spasms and spasms, wherever they occur, without worrying about effectiveness or taking medication.

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Muscle cramps and cannabis

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