muscle spasms

Muscle spasms are sudden, involuntary contractions of one or multiple muscles.

Some people may experience muscle spasms when dehydrated or after exercising or overusing their muscles.

However, other people may experience muscle spasms as part of an underlying health issue, such as:

• Nerve damage
• Neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy, or Parkinson’s disease
• Spinal cord injuries

For many, muscle spasms can be painful, and may interfere with daily activities. Traditional treatments like muscle relaxants and physical therapy can be effective. But some people have also turned to medical cannabis to find relief and rely less on pain medications.

Research on cannabis for muscle spasms

Studies show that certain cannabinoids in cannabis, like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), may help reduce muscle spasms and pain, especially in people who have neurological disorders like MS.

Cannabis may also help with muscle spasms and cramps caused by spinal cord injuries.

Terpenes are compounds that give cannabis its unique smell and taste. Lab studies show that certain terpenes, including beta-caryophyllene, linalool, and myrcene, may offer anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, which can help relieve muscle spasms.

However, more research is needed to fully understand the full potential cannabis may have in treating muscle spasms.

Using cannabis for muscle spasms

You might use cannabis alongside or as an alternative to traditional treatments for muscle spasms. While it may help you manage your symptoms, it’s important to be aware of the risks.

Benefits

Cannabis offers several potential benefits for muscle spasms, including:

• Reduced muscle spasms: THC and CBD may help reduce the frequency and intensity of muscle spasms.
• Increased pain relief: Cannabis has properties that may help relieve chronic pain.
• Improved sleep: Cannabis may lead to better sleep, which can help if muscle spasms keep you up at night.
• Improved bladder control: People with MS may experience muscle spasms in the bladder muscles, which can impact bladder function — but cannabis may help.

Risks and side effects

As with any medication, cannabis can have side effects, such as:

• Psychoactive effects: THC can cause euphoria, dizziness, and confusion in some cases.
• Drowsiness and fatigue: Some people feel drowsy after using cannabis.
• Risk of dependency: Long-term THC use may lead to dependency for some.

Talk to your doctor before using cannabis for muscle spasms. This is especially important if you’re taking medications like pain-relievers or corticosteroids.

Is it legal?

Cannabis laws differ by state. In many states, cannabis is legal for health conditions that may cause muscle spasms, like MS. A spinal cord injury may also be a qualifying condition for medical cannabis. Check with your state if you have questions about qualifying for a medical cannabis card to help with muscle spasms.

Best strains and products for muscle spasms

Cannabis can be consumed in different forms, including:

• Tinctures
• Capsules
• Edibles
• Vaporizers
• Topicals

All of these product types can help provide symptom relief. It may take some experimenting with different options to find which works best for you.

Also, you may want to consider different strains and CBD:THC ratios depending on your individual symptoms and THC tolerance.

Strains

Commonly recommended strains for muscle spasms include:

• ACDC: This high-CBD strain may help ease muscle tension.
• Cannatonic: This strain has an equal amount of CBD and THC, and is known to help relax muscles.
• Harlequin: This strain may help relieve pain and muscle tension.

CBD:THC ratios

Cannabis products that are high in CBD or contain equal parts CBD and THC are often recommended for muscle spasms. Consider these options:

• 1:1 ratio: May provide pain relief and muscle relaxation
• CBD:THC 20:1 or 10:1: Can offer anti-inflammatory benefits without a strong high

Terpenes

Certain terpenes in cannabis may relieve muscle spasms, muscle pain, and stiffness. Try these options:

• Beta-caryophyllene: May help ease pain due to its anti-inflammatory effects
• Linalool: May help with symptoms related to mood and mobility
• Myrcene: May help with muscle stiffness and tension due to its sedative properties

Flavonoids

Flavonoids are compounds that affect the color and flavor of cannabis. They also contribute to the plant’s health benefits and might improve muscle function. Good options to try include:

• Catechin: May have antioxidant effects, which may help reduce inflammation
• Quercetin: May help recovery from muscle damage

More about muscle spasms

Muscle spasms occur when the nerves that control muscle movement become overactive. This can happen due to dehydration or muscle overuse. But it can also be related to an underlying health condition, nerve damage, or injury.

If you’re experiencing muscle spasms, talk to your doctor about what might be causing them. Identifying the cause can help you discover the best way to treat and manage muscle spasms..

Other treatments for muscle spasms

Your doctor will recommend the best form of treatment based on what’s causing your muscle spasms and any related symptoms.

Traditional therapies

Your doctor might recommend a combination of treatments to help muscle spasms, including:

• Muscle relaxants: This may include medications like baclofen or tizanidine.
• Physical therapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises can help improve movement.
• Botox injections: This may be recommended to help relieve more severe muscle spasticity.

Natural and alternative therapies

Natural and alternative therapies may help improve muscle spasms when used alongside traditional treatments.

• Acupuncture: May help reduce muscle stiffness
• Magnesium supplements: Can help ease muscle tension and soreness
• Yoga and stretching: May help improve muscle strength and flexibility

Cannabis as part of your treatment plan for muscle spasms

Medical cannabis may be used alongside other treatments to help you manage muscle spasms.

In many states, muscle spasms may be a part of a health condition that qualifies you for a medical cannabis card. If you’re considering cannabis to help relieve muscle spasms, speak with a Leafwell healthcare provider about the best approach to finding relief.

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to common questions about cannabis for muscle spasms.

Can medical cannabis help with muscle spasms?

Yes. Medical cannabis has been shown to help manage muscle spasms and pain, particularly for people who experience muscle spasms due to a neurological condition or spinal cord injury.

What’s the best way to take cannabis for muscle spasms?

Cannabis edibles, tinctures, and topicals are commonly recommended for managing muscle spasms. You may have to experiment to find the best option for you.

Is CBD better than THC for muscle spasms?

CBD may help with inflammation, while THC may provide stronger muscle relaxation. A combination of both is often recommended to achieve ideal therapeutic effects.

Can I get a medical card for muscle spasms?

In some states, yes. Check your local cannabis laws to see if you qualify you for medical cannabis to help relieve muscle spasms.

Does cannabis affect muscle relaxers?

Ask your doctor before using cannabis if you’re taking prescription muscle relaxers or other medications. Cannabis may interact with certain medications by enhancing their effects or impacting how they break down and leave the body.

Resources

• Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/9/1/21
• Beta-myrcene as a sedative–hypnotic component from lavender essential oil in DL-4-chlorophenylalanine-induced-insomnia mice. https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/9/1161
• Cannabinoids for spasticity due to multiple sclerosis or paraplegia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965229917304466
• Cannabis and cannabinoids in multiple sclerosis: From experimental models to clinical practice—A review. https://journals.lww.com/americantherapeutics/abstract/2023/06000/cannabis_and_cannabinoids_in_multiple_sclerosis_.5.aspx
• Catechins: Protective mechanism of antioxidant stress in atherosclerosis. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2023.1144878/full
• Chapter 17 (–)‐linalool attenuates allodynia in neuropathic pain induced by spinal nerve ligation in C57/BL6 mice. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0074774209850174
• Effect of flavonoids on skeletal muscle mass, strength and physical performance in middle-aged and older adults with or without Sarcopenia: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.1013449/full
• Effects of magnesium supplementation on muscle soreness and performance. https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/abstract/2022/08000/effects_of_magnesium_supplementation_on_muscle.19.aspx
• Evidence for the efficacy and effectiveness of THC-CBD oromucosal spray in symptom management of patients with spasticity due to multiple sclerosis. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1756285615612659
• Functional role of cannabinoid receptors in urinary bladder. https://journals.lww.com/indianjurol/fulltext/2010/26010/functional_role_of_cannabinoid_receptors_in.6.aspx
• Harnessing the benefits of yoga for myositis, muscle dystrophies, and other musculoskeletal disorders. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10067-022-06280-2
• Linalool, a fragrance compound in plants, protects dopaminergic neurons and improves motor function and skeletal muscle strength in experimental models of Parkinson’s disease. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/5/2514
• Linalool as a therapeutic and medicinal tool in depression treatment: A review. https://www.eurekaselect.com/article/118033
• Medical cannabis in the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease. https://journals.lww.com/clinicalneuropharm/abstract/2023/05000/medical_cannabis_in_the_treatment_of_parkinson_s.3.aspx
• Medicinal cannabis improves sleep in adults with insomnia: A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsr.13793
• Myrcene—What are the potential health benefits of this flavouring and aroma agent? https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.699666/full
• Protective effects of (E)-?-caryophyllene (BCP) in chronic inflammation. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/11/3273
• Quercetin supplementation improves neuromuscular function recovery from muscle damage. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/9/2850
• The cannabinoid CB2 receptor-selective phytocannabinoid beta-caryophyllene exerts analgesic effects in mouse models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924977X13003027
• The effect on muscle hardness of acupuncture stimulation using low-reactive level laser therapy and silver spike point therapy, along with stretching. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/islsm/29/1/29_20-OR-04/_article
• Therapeutic effects of cannabis and cannabinoids. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425767/
• Trends in prescription and cost of Sativex, a cannabinoid-based medicine, in treating patients with multiple sclerosis in England. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20523211.2024.2342318

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