by Lara DeSanto Health Writer.
Medical ReviewerAshley Maltz, M.D.
How Is It Supposed to Work?
WHEN YOU’RE LIVING with multiple sclerosis (MS), it’s wise to have a range of tools in your arsenal to manage symptoms. CBD, a.k.a. cannabidiol, is chemical compound from the cannabis plant that is becoming more widely available as a method for dealing with chronic pain. You may have heard about it, and if you have, you’re probably wondering if it’s worth a shot to help manage your MS symptoms. So, is it? This is what experts currently say about CBD and its effectiveness for MS.
“…It’s not entirely understood how CBD reduces MS symptoms, says Costello. Here’s what we do know: Your body naturally produces its own cannabinoids—called endocannabinoids—and has receptors for these, mainly in the central nervous system (CNS) and immune system cells. The CNS comes under attack by the immune system when you have MS. The theory is that CBD interacts with CNS receptors, changing how they respond to various stimuli…”