CBD oil has been enjoying a lot of interest and unflagging popularity for some time. There are many benefits of such supplementation. You can count the improvement in the quality of sleep, better mood, greater concentration, as well as alleviating fears and bad mood, which can have a positive effect on people struggling with serious mental illnesses. It is also used by people suffering from AIDS (and related complications), Crohn’s disease, chronic migraines and headaches, Alzheimer’s disease, seizures, nausea and vomiting, and multiple sclerosis. It is worth noting that CBD also has analgesic properties, which is why more and more applications of the oil are being sought in the symptoms of diseases such as muscular dystrophy. 

Muscular dystrophy – what is it and can it be treated with CBD?

Muscular dystrophy is an incurable genetic disease characterized by the degradation of muscle tissue and, consequently, muscle atrophy. There are several types of muscular dystrophy (e.g. Duchenne or Becker), the symptoms of which differ depending on the area affected by the pathological changes, the moment when the first symptoms appeared, or the pace of the procedure.

The disease (regardless of the type) can lead to problems with independent breathing and swallowing and moving, as well as limb deformities, cardiac disorders or balance disorders. While there is currently no cure for the condition, symptoms can be alleviated with exercise and physical therapy, and steroids can be used to slow down the progression of the disease.

For some time, the effect of hemp – and therefore – also CBD oil on improving the comfort of patients and relieving pain associated with muscle wasting has been studied. Scientists (even despite the scanty amount of research) still notice the effectiveness of CBD and other hemp products in slowing down the development of neurodegenerative disorders. As CBD and the nervous system enter into a kind of complex interaction, during which the oil promotes homeostasis of the nervous system, supporting its balance, hence CBD can be used as an aid to muscle wasting patients whose nervous system is not functioning properly.

The effect of cannabis on the treatment of symptoms of muscular dystrophy

Research indicates that cannabis is effective in dealing with symptoms such as muscle stiffness, cramps and pain, improving the quality of life of those suffering from muscular dystrophy. An important aspect of using cannabis in relieving symptoms is also improving the mental state of the patient, who is particularly at risk of depression associated with the disease.

Research published in The American Journal of Hospice & Pallative Care in 2010 showed that cannabis could be useful in the symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and thus could theoretically also be used to relieve similar symptoms of muscular dystrophy.

The following are listed: antioxidant (reducing damaged DNA) and anti-inflammatory effects, reducing glutamate transmission, modulating the activity of microglial cells, autoimmune prophylaxis, preventing cell death in healthy cells, or supporting new connections between neurons. In addition, cannabis treatment is easier to control than giving the patient high doses of painkillers (e.g. opioids, which further aggravate breathing problems), which also gradually lose their “hitting power” as the body gets used to them. Conventional drugs are also more toxic and expensive, which is why doctors and scientists are trying to use the full potential of cannabis.

It is worth noting, however, that the above examples primarily concern the use of THC (i.e. marijuana) in patients, and not CBD hemp oil, which is slightly weaker and treated more like a supplement compared to THC.

Mitigation, but not healing

Unfortunately, despite the beneficial effects of THC and CBD cannabinoids on the well-being of people suffering from muscle wasting, they are not able to eliminate the symptoms or cure the disease, because it is genetically determined. It is more of a temporary measure, which is to increase the comfort of life of patients, reduce pain and improve the quality of sleep. Hemp products therefore deal with the elimination of the side effects of the disease. Although they are not able to cure muscle atrophy, they effectively deal with the removal of pain, insomnia or depressive issues, increasing psychological comfort. Cannabinoids are still being researched, however, as they can be used in many therapies, and the development of knowledge about cannabis and all its potential can bring relief to even more patients, not just those who suffer from muscular dystrophy.