MS sufferers have claimed for some time that cannabis helps to relieve the symptoms of their painful and crippling disease.
Scientists examined mice with a disease, which is like MS and produces symptoms considered to be closely related to those of MS.
The mice were given synthetic versions of the chemicals found in cannabis (cannabinoids) and the frequency with which their limbs became spastic was measured. The spasticity and tremors in the limbs of the mice improved within minutes of the cannabinoids being given and the effect lasted for some hours.
The scientists were able to show that this effect was not due to the sedative effect of the chemicals.
The scientists stated that although this was not a cure for MS the research suggests that cannabinoids can play a crucial role in controlling some of the very distressing muscular problems seen in MS.
