Using Marijuana may Affect Cognitive Skills of MS Patients

A Canadian study has warned that MS patients should not opt for such a treatment since it will negatively affect their thinking skills.

While medical marijuana is often recommended to debilitate symptoms of multiple sclerosis, a Canadian study has warned that MS patients should not opt for such a treatment since it will negatively affect their thinking skills.

Researchers from the University of Toronto analyzed 50 MS patients, 25 of whom were marijuana smokers while 25 were non-smokers.

Multiple sclerosis - Symptoms - Causes - Diagnosis - Treatment
Multiple sclerosis can be a severely disabling autoimmune disease that affects the myelin or insulating layer of the nerve fibers and typically has remissions and relapses

The researchers found that those who smoked marijuana were twice as likely to suffer from various cognitive impairments compared to the non-smokers.

“There’s a real chance that the cannabis is going to worsen cognitive deficits that are already present. It’s kind of adding to the burden of the disease. You have to be very cautious when using this drug. You shouldn’t be using it at all”, lead researcher Anthony Feinstein wrote in his report, which has been published in the journal Neurology.

Source-Medindia

Multiple Sclerosis – Treatment to Reduce Symptoms and Modify course of Disease
Multiple sclerosis is treated with drugs that modify the course of the disease, suppress immunity and relieve symptoms.

Chemotherapy - History, Principles, Aim, Types, Side Effcts, Pros & Cons
'Chemo' means medicine or 'drug', 'therapy' means 'treatment'. Chemotherapy refers to the use of cytotoxic drugs in the treatment of cancer.

MEDINDIA

Search Medindia

Using Marijuana may Affect Cognitive Skills of MS Patients

A Canadian study has warned that MS patients should not opt for such a treatment since it will negatively affect their thinking skills.