Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease leading to the destruction of myelin and nerve degeneration resulting in severe physical debilitation. Myelin surrounds the nerve similar to plastic surrounding an electrical wire. The disease can be treated with immunosuppressive drugs that alleviate the symptoms and slow disease aggravation.
One of those drugs currently in clinical use is called Copaxone. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of CBD with the drug Copaxone in mice. They chose a high CBD, low THC cannabis indica (marijuana) called Avidekel.
Their data showed that CBD and purified extracts of Avidekel are as efficient as Copaxone to relieve the symptoms of autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice. In fact, the final sentence of their abstract stated: “Our data support the use of Avidekel extracts in the treatment of MS symptoms.”
Encephalomyelitis is inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
CBD is one of the non psychoactive compounds of marijuana.
There was no additional benefit to combining CBD extract with the synthetic drug.
