Medical marijuana is recognized as a legitimate treatment for many diseases and ailments. Patients who suffer from a debilitating condition known as Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) have been experimenting with medical marijuana and CBD products to relieve their symptoms when conventional treatments proved to be ineffective. RLS is a sleep disorder characterized by an intense, distressing sensation in the lower legs when trying to sleep or otherwise relax. The only way for people to alleviate this symptom is by standing or walking.
RLS affects over 3 million adults and about 2 million children in the United States. Currently, there is no FDA-approved treatment for RLS. Patients are often prescribed medications that are used to treat Parkinson’s disease, but the medications often don’t work, are too expensive, or they cause unwanted side effects.
Although cannabis products are not FDA-approved for use in the treatment of RLS, there are some clinical trials based on patients anecdotal evidence of use. In addition, there have been a lot of studies that show marijuana has a significant effect on treating pain and muscle spasticity, so it’s safe to assume that it would be equally effective in treating RLS. Patients report feeling comfort and relief from their symptoms after using cannabis products. Studies show that edibles don’t seem to benefit RLS patients very much, but smoking or using products high in Cannabidiol (CBD) will produce the necessary effects.
CBD does not cause any psychedelic effects so it’s legal to buy, although it can be difficult to find in certain states.
To summarize, while medical marijuana has already proven to be an effective treatment of RLS for many patients, more studies are needed for this to be approved by the FDA. It’s also important to remember that you should always consult with a physician before modifying or supplementing any treatment regimen.
