Medical Marijuana- Muscle Spasms and Tremors

Muscle spasms and tremors can be difficult to manage, and effective treatments can be hard to find. Multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries can cause crippling side effects impacting your quality of life. People have trouble planning their daily lives when their symptoms come and go, and how bad they feel changes. Despite the availability of standard treatments, many people prefer to try medical marijuana. There has been evidence that cannabis cannabinoids reduce inflammation and ease muscle tension. We'll review the benefits and drawbacks of using medical marijuana to treat muscle tremors and spasms. Prevention is essential in dealing with these symptoms. By staying informed and using medical marijuana responsibly, you can improve your quality of life and manage your symptoms effectively.

Muscle Spasms 

Muscle spasms are sudden, uncontrollable muscle contractions that can be as mild as twitches or as painful as cramps. They happen when nerve impulses that tell the muscles to tighten up fire incorrectly. There are numerous medical conditions that can cause muscle spasm, like cerebral palsy.

Muscle spasms happen when muscle fibers, nerves, and the spinal cord all interact with each other. The spinal cord sends nerve impulses to the muscle fibers when a muscle contracts. This causes the muscle fibers to shorten and pull on the tendons. Most of the time, this process is controlled consciously. But when a muscle spasm happens, the nerve impulses that make the muscle contract happen independently, without the person being aware of them. This can cause a sudden muscular contraction of the muscle, which can hurt and get in the way of everyday life. 

Cause of Muscle Spasms

The most common causes of muscle spasms are muscle fatigue or overuse. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and nerve damage can also cause muscle spasms. Medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy can also exacerbate muscle spasms. The cause of muscle spasms may be unknown in some cases. A common sign is a twitch or bulge in the affected muscle and a feeling of tightness or stiffness. A mild ache can sometimes accompany muscle spasms to sharp, intense pain. The pain may stay in the muscle where it started or spread to other body parts. 

Tremors

Tremor is a disorder of the nervous system that makes one or more parts of your body shake. It can also happen in your arms, legs, or head. Its rhythm is caused by muscle contractions that don't happen on purpose. The tremor may coincide with breaks between them or be constant. An episode can occur by itself or as a side effect of another disorder.

Although uncomfortable tremors do not pose a threat, they can be challenging and even disable you, making it hard or impossible to do things like work or other daily tasks.

The deep parts of the brain that control movements are usually to blame for tremors. The cause of most tremors is still unknown, but some appear to be inherited. Many neurological disorders cause tremors, making it difficult to pinpoint what is taking place. Tremors can develop at any age, but it is common for middle-aged to older adults to experience them. 

Treatment for tremors usually revolves around reducing stimuli that might trigger the problem. This could be reducing the amount of caffeine or alcohol and finding ways to relax (massage or meditation). Avoiding unneeded stress can also help. A doctor might recommend anti-seizure medication, tranquilizers, or beta-blockers in more severe cases.

Can Certain Drugs Cause Muscle Spasms?

Yes, diuretics and statins, which change how nerves work, can also cause muscle spasms as a side effect. Most muscle spasms happen because the muscle is tired or stressed too much. Muscle spasms can also be caused by dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or nerve damage. Some medical conditions cause muscle spasms, like multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy. In some cases, it may not be clear what causes muscle spasms. Depending on what's causing the muscle spasm, you can treat it with stretching, massage, heat or ice therapy, or medicine.

Tremors and Cannabis 

In some cases, medical marijuana may help treat tremors. According to research by the University of Copenhagen, cannabis helped reduce tremors in mice. A specific synthetic cannabinoid was injected into the spinal cords of mice with tremors, reducing their shaking. The research is still early, but there seems to be a connection between cannabis helping to relieve symptoms. Much of the underlying idea revolves around cannabis activating specific cells called astrocytes. These star-shaped cells regulate blood flow and send messages throughout the body.

Conventional Treatment Effects

Muscle spasms can be treated using a variety of methods that are considered standard medical practice. Patients with muscle spasms often take muscle relaxants like baclofen, tizanidine, and diazepam. Ibuprofen and aspirin can be used to treat muscle spasms. Physical therapy can be an excellent treatment for the condition when combined with medication. Physical therapy can help relieve muscle spasms by stretching and strengthening the affected muscles.

Can cannabis help relieve muscle spasms?

Researchers have discovered that cannabis has therapeutic properties that reduce muscle spasm pain and discomfort. The active parts of marijuana, called cannabinoids, work with the body's endocannabinoid system to change how the nervous system responds. THC and CBD have been shown to relax muscles and relieve pain. However, some studies found that the personal anecdotes of the plant's ability to relieve the problem might be exaggerated. It's also worth noting that THC might help relieve spasms but will affect your ability to walk.

Those who suffer from spasms may benefit from cannabis' ability to help them get a better night's sleep. Disrupted sleep caused by muscle spasms is a common cause of further pain and tension in the affected muscles. Since sleep is important for muscles to recover, Cannabis' ability to improve sleep quality can help people with muscle spasms break the cycle and find relief. It's worth noting that cannabis's effects are highly individual, and the drug might not work for everyone. 

The Bottom Line 

Well, there you have it. As with most issues, cannabis science is complex, and more research is required in order to gain a deeper understanding. Tremors and muscle spasms affect many, and cannabis might be the solution for them in certain cases. The research is not concrete, so you should talk to your doctor about possible treatment. For more information on medical marijuana, visit our conditions page or book an appointment today by clicking the button below.