Cannabis Strains That Can Help With Muscle Spasms

Chances are you have experienced muscle cramps or spasms. One of the problematic things about muscle spasms is that they can occur randomly. Often without any warning or reason, and suddenly, you are interrupted by involuntary contractions and possibly painful muscle spasms.

Imagine what life would be like, if you had chronic muscle cramps and spasms. Rather than occurring periodically, muscle spasms could be a predictable and painful symptom that you would have to manage on a daily basis.

Doctor-supervised medical marijuana is now available in most states across America. And the legalization of medical cannabis has opened new alternative treatment options. Finding relief is crucial for patients suffering from chronic muscle spasms. That is why many patients have added medical cannabis to their treatment plan to help with symptom management.

What Type of Disorders May Cause Muscle Spasms?

Some cases of chronic muscle spasms originate from an injury. Dietary and lifestyle factors such as dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities or excessive high-intensity training and exercise may contribute to muscle spasms.

But for most patients, persistent muscle spasms occur as a symptom of a diagnosed disorder. And patients frequently have to cope with other symptoms in addition to muscle cramps and spasms.

The most common health conditions that can cause muscle spasms include the following:

1. Neurological Disorders

There are several types of neurological disorders that may cause chronic muscle spasms. Patients who are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) may develop persistent muscle spasms.

Spinal cord injury can also cause symptoms of muscle spasms. Injuries to the spinal cord impact central nervous system (CNS) messaging, which disrupts normal nerve signals and causes muscle cramps and spasms.

2. Dystonia

A neurological movement disorder, Dystonia causes involuntary muscle contractions that can cause repetitive movements and abnormal postures. The muscle contracts cause persistent muscle spasms, which can occur throughout the body, including in the limbs, face, and torso.

Dystonia causes significant difficulties for patients who suffer from the hereditary condition. It can be caused by brain injury, certain types of infections, and exposure to toxins. Some prescription medications may also cause Dystonia.

3. Nerve Compression

When a nerve is compressed, it can lead to symptoms of pain, tingling sensations, muscle weakness, and numbness. Nerve compression can be caused by injuries, repetitive motion strains, herniated discs in the spine, bone spurs, sciatica, and conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.

A compressed nerve is disrupted from receiving signals from the brain. That causes abnormal muscle contraction, involuntary movement, and painful sensations. Nerve compression may also lead to a weakening of muscle strength if untreated.

4. Prescription Medications

Not everyone who takes certain prescription medications may experience muscle spasms, as individual responses to drugs vary. But some prescription drugs can cause chronic and unpredictable muscle spasms.

Those medications include:

a) Statins which are used to help lower cholesterol levels.

b) Antipsychotics, including haloperidol and chlorpromazine, can cause tardive dyskinesia, which is muscle spasms of the tongue and face.

c) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which are antidepressant medications, including fluoxetine and sertraline. Some SSRIs can cause akathisia, which is a psychological condition of restlessness and uncontrollable compulsion to move.

d) Corticosteroids used to treat inflammation and conditions like asthma or arthritis may cause muscle weakness or wasting, with painful spasms and cramps. This side effect is more common for patients who use high doses over long-term periods.

e) Diuretic medications like furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide which are used to treat hypertension and edema.

f) Antiarrhythmic medications used to manage heart disorders, such as quinidine or procainamide, may cause muscle cramps or spasms.

g) Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), including amitriptyline, imipramine, and a popular medication for depression and anxiety, bupropion, can cause muscle stiffness and spasms.

If you are taking a prescription medication and suffering from symptoms of muscle cramps, stiffness, or involuntary muscular contractions, talk to your primary care provider. There may be alternative medications you can try, which may not cause the same side effects.

Are Muscle Spasms a Qualifying Health Condition for MMJ?

Many of the health conditions that can cause chronic muscle spasms are accepted as a qualifying diagnosis for medical cannabis. And epilepsy and muscle spasms, as a symptom, are generally accepted as qualifying health conditions that can make you eligible for doctor-supervised medical marijuana in your state.

Medical Cannabis Strains That Can Help With Muscle Spasms

If you are suffering from muscle spasms, medical marijuana may be a new approach to help manage your symptoms. Treating muscle spasms involves various therapeutic methods, including hot and cold compresses, prescription medications, stretching exercises, and more.

There are some strains for muscle spasms that patients have found effective in reducing pain and discomfort. Whether you suffer from moderate or severe muscle spasms and the associated chronic pain, doctor-supervised medical cannabis may help relieve pain.

Blue Dream

When it comes to muscle relaxation, Blue Dream is believed to be one of the best medical marijuana strains to try. The strain’s hybrid Sativa and Indica genetics may promote relaxation and relief of muscle tension. Some patients have commented that Blue Dream may also help reduce the frequency and severity of muscle spasms.

For patients who have problems sleeping because of pain, Blue Dream may also be a good choice. The medical marijuana strain can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and promote calm and relaxation for better sleep. Addressing insomnia can help improve muscle repair and recovery.

Blue Dream also has cannabidiol (CBD) content and myrcene terpene, which, combined, may help reduce muscle inflammation and spasms. The average THC potency of Blue Dream is 21%, and it is a popular strain available in most medical dispensaries.

Granddaddy Purple

Another strain revered for helping with muscle pain is Granddaddy Purple. Similar to Blue Dream, Granddaddy Purp has high myrcene terpene content, which is believed to reduce muscle tension and promote relaxation. This strain averages 15% to 19% THC content.

Symptoms of stress and anxiety can make muscle spasms worse. Granddaddy Purple can have calming effects for some people who use the strain. For people who may have a suppressed appetite due to uncomfortable symptoms, Granddaddy Purple can also stimulate the “snack attack” and increase food intake.

Harlequin

We disagree with rumors that this strain was named after the Marvel character “Harley-Quinn.” If it was inspired by the character, it would probably not provide most people with a calm, relaxing, and chilled-out psychoactive experience. The strain averages just over 9% THC but a whopping 6.5% CBD content, making it the ideal daytime-use medical strain.

Harlequin is a CBD-dominant strain, which means it has a much higher cannabidiol content than other types of medical marijuana. The high CBD content can contribute to greater analgesic (pain relief) and anti-inflammatory effects. And patients enjoy that, unlike other strains, Harlequin does not make you feel drowsy or sedated. It is known for providing a cognitively alert but relaxed state of being.

ACDC

Most people that use ACDC medical marijuana are “Thunderstruck” because it can pack some helpful psychoactive effects compared to other low-THC strains for muscle spasms. This strain has a 20:1 ratio of CBD to THC content, with high levels of myrcene terpene. The average THC content is 1% to 5%.

Cannabidiol (CBD) offers high anti-inflammation potential. This strain also has the potential to help with anxiety and stress, which may reduce muscle spasms caused by tension. The ACDC strain has a low-THC content which means patients may experience relief without cognitive impairment associated with other types of medical marijuana.

Northern Lights

Unlike other popular strains for muscle spasms, Northern Lights has a very low, almost negligible cannabidiol (CBD) content. But it averages around 21% THC, and it is 95% Indica, which makes this strain better for evening use.

What Northern Lights does have is a very high level of myrcene terpene, which promotes relaxation. When your mind is relaxed, muscle tension can dissipate, and that may help reduce the severity and frequency of muscle spasms.

Patients with Alzheimer’s may have problems with low appetite and indigestion. Some studies suggest that Northern Lights can stimulate appetite, which can help patients with dietary problems.

Sour Diesel

This strain also goes by the name Sour D or Sour Deez, and it is one of the more popular Sativa dominant hybrid cannabis strains. While Sour D has 0% CBD content, it averages 19% THC potency. And it has a high caryophyllene terpene content (pepper) that may provide anti-inflammatory benefits.

Sour D is highly psychoactive, according to reviews, and the euphoric effects can help distract patients with pain or muscle spasms and provide an uplifted, relaxed mood. When you reduce emotional stress, it can also help reduce muscular tension, which can cause muscle spasms.

What About Smokable Cannabis for Muscle Spasms?

Smokable cannabis provides the fastest absorption rate for medical cannabis. Once inhaled, cannabinoids pass through the lungs and into the bloodstream and can provide fast relief.

However, the physiological and psychoactive effects of cannabis when inhaled are not as long-lasting as other intake routes. Some other detriments to smokable cannabis include:

• Respiratory inflammation is caused to the throat and lungs. It may not be suitable for patients who have underlying respiratory diseases or symptoms.
• Dosage control is more difficult with smokable cannabis compared to capsules, topicals, tablets, edibles, and tincture medical marijuana products.
• Restrictions to where you can smoke cannabis due to anti-smoking regulations. However, other routes can be discreetly taken anywhere and anytime.

During your appointment with a DocMJ medical cannabis healthcare provider, you can get suggestions on the types of strains and most appropriate routes for your needs. Your marijuana doctor can provide expert advice to help you make an informed choice about the best products to help with muscle spasms and pain relief.