Both groups support the use of marijuana for specific treatments, such as reducing nausea in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, stimulating the appetites of AIDS victims, and limiting spasticity in MS patients. How Marijuana Alleviates Spasticity Research providing the breakdown of all of the chemicals in marijuana and their specific physiological and psychological effects is scarce. Recently, scientists discovered that cannabinoids closely resemble a chemical in the body called anandamide. Marijuana is taken either by smoking or ingestion. Debates over the form in which marijuana should be administered have recently gained popularity.
Doctors hesitate to support smoked marijuana because of the health risks attributed to smoking.
Smoked marijuana allows THC and other chemicals to be directly absorbed into the blood stream, whereas the liver filters ingested THC before it enters the circulatory system. Furthermore, it is not known whether THC is the sole contributor of marijuana relieving spasticity. Although there is a demand for extensive research of medical marijuana, current evidence supports its distribution for medical purposes. The patient suffered from ataxia and spastic tetraparesis. The goal of their research was to determine a relationship between smoking marijuana and levels of spasticity and ataxia in multiple sclerosis victims.