Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
ALS represents a progressive neurodegenerative disease. ALS affects approximately 6,000 to 10,000 people in the United States each year. Fundamentally, there is no cure for ALS, but past research has shown that medical marijuana may slow its progression. However, individuals with ALS have voiced serious concerns about side effects, including anxiety, insomnia, respiratory issues, and short-term memory loss. Individuals must consider specific symptoms such as fatigue, digestive problems, muscle problems, or mental health. This section will address potentially how medicinal marijuana may slow progressive ALS symptoms for patients.
Supporting Articles
Real world experience of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Meyer, T., Funke, A., Münch, C., Kettemann, D., Maier, A., Walter, B., Thomas, A., & Spittel, S. (2019). Real-world experience of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the treatment of spasticity using tetrahydrocannabinol:cannabidiol (THC:CBD). BMC Neurology, 19(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-019-1443-y
Study protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Urbi, B., Broadley, S., Bedlack, R., Russo, E., & Sabet, A. (2019). Study protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy of cannabis-based medicine extract in slowing the disease progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neurone disease: The emerald trial. BMJ Open, 9(11), e029449. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029449