Cannabis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
ALS is a disease with extensive damage to motor neurons, which are nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, and responsible for signaling between the brain and muscles. The brain is increasingly unable to control muscle movement, and patients progressively lose the ability to walk, swallow or speak.
How Cannabinoids Work
Medical cannabis is a new potential treatment.
Cannabinoids, the active ingredients in cannabis, are working as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agents, to slow or prevent further damage to nerve cells in ALS.
Cannabinoids, both CBD and THC, mainly function by binding to the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 of the endocannabinoid system. The ECS is responsible for regulating brain function, hormone secretion, and the immune system. CB1 receptors are present on the surface of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, regulating neurodevelopmental activities; CB2 are predominantly present in immune cells, modulating inflammation and immune cell function.
Binding of cannabinoids to the CB1 receptors activates the receptor’s anti-glutamatergic action, meaning it inhibits the excitotoxicity (the overactivation resulting in neuronal damage and death).
The cannabinoids exert an anti-inflammatory effect through the CB2 receptors, which regulate immune cells and the production of inflammatory proteins. In this way, they can slow further tissue dam
Treating ALS with Medical Cannabis
Cannabinoids show powerful effects in reducing neuro-inflammation, excitotoxicity, and oxidative cell damage, which prolong neuronal cell survival, delay onset, and slower progression of the ALS disease.
Cannabinoids are also applicable to symptom management of ALS, including analgesia (pain relief), muscle relaxation, bronchodilation (relax the muscles surrounding the airways), saliva reduction, appetite stimulation, and sleep induction.
Based on scientific data, medical cannabis indeed is able to improve motor impairment, delay ALS progression and prolong survival, and substantially reduce the overall burden of the disease.