Dystonia

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder in which the sufferer’s muscles contract abnormally and involuntarily; when sustained it can be painful. It can affect one muscle, an entire muscle group, and even the entire body. Symptoms of Dystonia can be very mild to very severe, and they include: cramping, a dragging leg, involuntary pulling of the neck, uncontrollable blinking, and speech difficulties.

Dystonia appears to be related to problems in the basal ganglia (a central part of the brain) and the disorder may be hereditary, or caused by other factors such as birth related complications, physical trauma, infection, or even poisoning. There is no known cure for Dystonia, and treatment has been experimental and limited.

Using Cannabis to Treat Dystonia

Cannabis is a complex medicinal plant that may actually be used to treat a variety of debilitating symptoms caused by a surprisingly large number of ailments. It’s usefulness as a non-lethal medicine (you cannot die from an overdose of cannabis) cannot be overstated and it’s versatility in terms of how it can be consumed and as to how it can be useful for so many illnesses is something to be excited about. However, it is important to remember that consulting with your primary care physician should be your first priority when considering incorporating cannabis into one’s medical regiment and that cannabis is to be used as an adjunct therapy and not a replacement. It is also your responsibility to communicate with your doctor as to how your use of cannabis has affected your health and of your progress with utilizing medical cannabis.

With that said, it may be helpful for individuals looking to treat Dystonia with medical cannabis to know that there are several small case studies and investigations throughout the last decade that suggest cannabinoids may be a viable option to help reduce the symptoms and pain caused by the disorder.

Exciting studies have shown that cannabis may be quite useful for treating individuals suffering from Dystonia for the following reasons: to reduce muscle tension and involuntary, painful muscle contractions; reducing possible nausea; reducing possible anxiety and or depression; and to significantly reduce the pain caused by the contractions.

Beneficial Cannabinoids and Terpenoids Useful for Treating Dystonia

The cannabis plant offers a plethora of therapeutic benefits and contains cannabinoids and terpenoid compounds that are useful for treating a number of ailments and disorders, and recent case studies have shown that both Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) may be beneficial for improving motor control and reducing the pain caused by the spasms.

With that said, the following chart also denotes which cannabinoids and terpenoids work synergistically with each other for possible therapeutic benefit. It may be beneficial to seek out strains that contain these cannabinoids and terpenoids.