Everyone is prone to leg cramps, even occasionally.
Leg cramps are essentially involuntary muscle contractions that can be rather painful, lasting seconds or several minutes long. These can occur in the middle of the night, rousing you from your sleep though they can also happen any time of the day. When they do happen, the muscles feel like they suddenly clench into a painful knot, causing the muscles around the area to be tender and sore even after the cramp has stopped.
The cramps can affect one or several muscle groups. The most commonly affected muscles are the quadriceps, behind the lower calf, and the hamstrings. Though leg cramps can sometimes happen for no reason at all (these are known as idiopathic leg cramps), most other cases are caused by stress, mineral deficiencies, high intensity exercise, restriction in blood supply, sitting for long periods of time, standing on concrete floors, and many others. Taking medications such as diuretics and other drugs can also cause cramps as a side effect. Other causes include diseases such as dehydration, hormonal imbalances, liver cirrhosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and many others.
When the cramps occur, there are things you can do to ease the pain as soon as it happens. These include massages, stretching, pain killers, applying hot or cold compress, or elevating your leg. However, some medications may be necessary to alleviate and reduce the frequency of cramps and spasms, especially if it happens too often. While leg cramps and spasms are harmless, they can be a major nuisance and affect one’s quality of life.
How Cannabis Can Help
Imbalances in the endocannabinoid system can contribute to diseases and conditions that cause leg cramps and spasms to occur more often. In addition, the endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating inflammation and pain, which is why when we consume cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD), it helps to relieve symptoms of several conditions including leg cramps.
Science tells us that CBD works to increase the production of anandamide, which is also known as the bliss molecule. Because of this, CBD is effective in regulating how we perceive pain, possibly by better managing the signals that are sent between the brain and the nerves. Additionally, CBD reduces inflammation levels since spasms and cramps are basically an inflammatory response.
In fact, the efficacy of cannabis for treating muscle spasms is so well known that Ayurvedic texts even recommend its use for this specific condition. There are also several studies documenting its use and benefits for muscle spasms. Countless athletes already use THC and CBD to aid in muscle repair and recovery as well as prevent cramps which are associated with strained muscles from excessive exercise. Some cannabis strains for muscle spasms can be lean toward the indica side of the cannabis plant.
In a 2010 study conducted by investigators at the University of South Carolina, researchers found that THC works to bind with the cannabinoid receptors within the endocannabinoid system to decrease the amount of inflammatory proteins. As a result, muscle spasms occurred significantly less.
Then in 2012, a study by University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers analyzed 30 subjects suffering from muscle spasticity. They were asked to smoke medical marijuana for relief and report on its impact. CBS reported, “The researchers found participants in the smoked cannabis group experienced on average a one-third decrease in score as measured by a spasticity test called Ashworth scale, compared with participants given a placebo.”
Another 2012 study, which was published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry revealed that cannabis was indeed effective for reducing muscle stiffness, especially among patients with multiple sclerosis. When patients were given cannabis, they reported great improvements after 4-8 weeks. “At the end of the study period, the rate of relief from muscle stiffness was twice as high among those given the cannabis extract as those given the placebo,” said the Science Daily report. “Muscle stiffness was alleviated in just under 30 percent of those given cannabis compared with just under 16 percent of those treated with placebo,” reads the report.
In another study, researchers tested the impact of Nabiximols, a cannabis-infused botanical medication that is made with various extracts including THC and CBD from the marijuana plant, on 500 individuals with multiple sclerosis and spasticity. They were given either placebo or nabiximols. The trials went on for 6-16 weeks, during which time the researchers analyzed their spasticity levels with the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). All of the trials showed statistically significant improvement in spasticity among the patients who were given nabiximols compared with the placebo.
“Published reports suggest that a large number of persons with MS have used or currently use cannabis to help relieve symptoms related to 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 though he’s an expert in MS rehab as well as a consultant for GW Pharmaceuticals.
Conclusion
People suffering from leg cramps and spasms can benefit from using cannabis. There are many ways you can medicate for spasms and cramps though smoking and topical application is ideal based on this condition. Whether you take CBD, THC, or a combination of both, you’ll find excellent relief from cannabis because of its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. With cannabis products, you have a safe and natural solution for treating cramps and spasms, no matter where they occur, without having to worry about efficacy or taking medications.
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