What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong condition in which the immune system damages the protective covering (myelin) of nerves in the brain and spinal cord. More than 150,000 people in the UK live with MS – around 1 in 400 people.[1] Symptoms vary from person to person and may come and go with relapses or gradually worsen over time.
There are three main types of MS: relapsing-remitting MS, where symptoms flare up (relapses) and then improve; secondary progressive MS, which can follow relapsing-remitting MS and gradually worsens over time; and primary progressive MS, where symptoms gradually worsen from the start. Some people first have a single episode of symptoms, called clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), which may or may not go on to become MS.
Multiple Sclerosis: The Facts
150,000+
people in the UK are living with MS.[1]
Up to 80%
of people with MS experience muscle spasms or stiffness at some point.[2]
What causes multiple sclerosis?
The exact cause of MS is unknown, but it is thought to result from a mix of genetic and environmental factors. Having a close family member with MS may increase a person’s risk, although the condition is not directly inherited. MS is also more common in women, but the reasons for this are not fully understood. It is more common in people living further from the equator, where lower sunlight exposure may affect vitamin D levels. However, these factors do not mean someone will develop MS, and no single cause has been identified.
What are the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?
The symptoms of MS vary from person to person, depending on which areas of the brain and spinal cord are affected. Common symptoms include:
• Pain
• Spasticity (muscle stiffness) and muscle spasms
• Vision problems
• Tremor
• Altered sensations, such as numbness or tingling
• Fatigue
• Muscle weakness
• Problems with walking, balance and mobility
• Depression and anxiety
• Bladder and bowel problems
How is Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosed?
MS is usually diagnosed by a specialist doctor, such as a neurologist. They will assess your symptoms, carry out a neurological examination and usually arrange an MRI scan of your brain and spinal cord to look for signs of MS.
Doctors use a combination of symptoms, neurological examinations, MRI scans and, when needed, other tests to diagnose MS. They look for evidence of damage to the central nervous system and assess whether the findings meet the recognised diagnostic criteria. Blood tests and a lumbar puncture (a test of the fluid around the spinal cord), may also be used to help rule out other conditions.
Treatment Options for Multiple Sclerosis
Treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) aims to slow the condition, reduce relapses (when symptoms get worse or new symptoms appear), and help manage symptoms to improve quality of life.
Disease-modifying therapies are medicines that can reduce relapses and activity in the disease. Some can also help slow the build-up of disability over time. Corticosteroids are medicines that reduce inflammation and may be used to help speed up recovery from certain MS relapses. Other medicines can help manage symptoms such as spasticity, pain and bladder problems.
Sativex® (nabiximols) is licensed in the UK as an add-on treatment for moderate to severe muscle spasticity caused by MS when other medicines have not helped enough.[3] Specialist doctors on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register may also consider other cannabis-based medicines that are not licensed in the UK, depending on the patient’s needs and circumstances.[8]
How does Multiple Sclerosis Affect People?
MS can affect people in different ways, and symptoms often change over time. Fatigue, muscle spasticity, pain and problems with mobility or balance can make everyday tasks, such as walking, working or looking after a home, more difficult. Because relapses can be unpredictable, some people find it hard to plan ahead.
People living with MS may also experience low mood, anxiety or sleep problems, as well as changes in memory and concentration. These effects can affect relationships, social life and independence, and are not always visible to others.
You can visit our testimonials page to read real-life patient experiences with medical cannabis.
“I can eat when I need to eat. I can sleep when I need to sleep… It’s given me a chance to look at life and go, I can do this!”
Erik, Curaleaf Clinic Patient
Medical Cannabis for Multiple Sclerosis
Medical cannabis may help some people with multiple sclerosis (MS) manage symptoms that affect everyday life, particularly when other treatments have not provided enough relief. However, it does not cure MS, stop it from progressing or repair existing nerve damage.
Medical cannabis contains compounds called cannabinoids, including tetrahydocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps control functions such as pain, muscle movement and sleep. Research has looked at whether cannabinoid-based treatments can help relieve MS symptoms, including muscle spasticity, involuntary movements, and nerve pain. However, results vary from person to person, and the evidence for benefits differs depending on the symptom.
Sativex® is a cannabis-based mouth spray available on the NHS for some adults with MS who have moderate to severe muscle spasticity that has not improved enough with other treatments.[3]
Research using data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry has explored changes in pain, sleep and quality of life in people with MS who were prescribed cannabis-based medicines.[6,7]
Research on Medical Cannabis and Multiple Sclerosis
Research into medical cannabis for MS has grown over the past 20 years, with studies focusing on symptoms such as spasticity, pain and sleep problems.
MS Spasticity: Clinical Trial and NHS Evidence
Sativex® is licensed in the UK to help treat muscle spasticity caused by MS. NICE recommends it for some people whose symptoms have not improved enough with other treatments.[3]
In one clinical trial, people whose symptoms had improved during an initial trial of Sativex® were split into two groups. Those who continued taking Sativex® reported greater improvements in spasticity than those who switched to a placebo (a treatment with no active medicine).[4]
A 2026 review of NHS services in the West of Scotland found that 55 out of 64 people with MS (86%) had enough improvement in their symptoms to meet NICE’s 20% improvement threshold after a four-week trial of Sativex®.[5] These results reflect the outcomes of people treated in those services and may not be the same for everyone.
Sleep, Pain and Quality of Life in MS: Real-World Evidence
Real-world evidence helps researchers understand how medical cannabis affects people with MS in everyday life, including changes in pain, sleep and quality of life. Studies using data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry have followed people with MS for up to 24 months, recording changes in these areas over time. [6,7]
This research also helps us understand how people respond to treatment, identify possible side effects and see which symptoms may benefit most. These findings can help researchers decide which symptoms and treatment outcomes need further study.
Can I be Prescribed Medical Cannabis for Multiple Sclerosis?
Medical cannabis may be considered in certain circumstances when other treatments have not provided enough relief or have caused difficult side effects. NHS prescribing of medical cannabis for MS is largely limited to Sativex® for spasticity, in line with NICE guidance.[3] Some patients explore treatment with unlicensed products through private clinics.
In the UK, only specialist doctors listed on the General Medical Council’s (GMC) Specialist Register can start patients on medical cannabis treatment. [8] The suitability of treatment depends on an individual’s medical history, symptoms and previous treatments.
If you have MS and want to find out whether medical cannabis could help with your symptoms, complete our short eligibility assessment. This will help us check whether you may be eligible for a consultation with one of our doctors.
We will review your medical history and records. If you’re suitable for a consultation, a specialist doctor will discuss your symptoms, explain your treatment options and decide whether medical cannabis may be right for you.
References
[1] MS Society. MS in the UK. https://www.mssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work/our-evidence/ms-in-the-uk
[2] MS Society. MS spasms and stiffness. Last reviewed August 2021. https://www.mssociety.org.uk/about-ms/signs-and-symptoms/spasms-and-stiffness
[3] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Cannabis-based medicinal products. NICE guideline NG144. 2019. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng144
[4] Novotna A, Mares J, Ratcliffe S, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, enriched-design study of nabiximols (Sativex®), as add-on therapy, in subjects with refractory spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis. Eur J Neurol. 2011;18(9):1122–1131. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-1331.2010.03328.x
[5] Khoo TC, Barclay A, Alvial Palavicino P. Nabiximols cannabinoid spray in treatment-resistant spasticity patients with multiple sclerosis and other aetiologies: the West of Scotland experience. Adv Clin Neurosci Rehabil. 2026. https://doi.org/10.47795/FXNH5414
[6] Murphy M, Kaur V, Bui HL, et al. Clinical outcome analysis of patients with multiple sclerosis: analysis from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2024;87:105665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2024.105665
[7] Shah Y, Erridge S, Clarke E, et al. UK Medical Cannabis Registry: an updated analysis of cannabis-based medicinal products for multiple sclerosis. Med Cannabis Cannabinoids. 2025;8(1):201–218. https://doi.org/10.1159/000549178
[8] NHS England. Cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs): guidance and advice for prescribing decisions. Publication reference PRN00111. https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/cannabis-based-products-for-medicinal-use-cbpms/
[9] The Misuse of Drugs (Amendments) (Cannabis and Licence Fees) (England, Wales and Scotland) Regulations 2018 (SI 2018/1055). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/1055/contents/made
