Do I Qualify?

Make an Appointment

Content Hub

Resources

Find a Dispensary Read Articles

Back

Let us be your cannabis companion. Explore lifestyle hacks, how-to guides, and the latest in cannabis news.

Blog

See all the latest news about Cannabis

Conditions

The impact of cannabis on various conditions

Cannabis 101

Glossary of basic cannabis terminology

Applying for your medical marijuana card is easier than ever. Just book an appointment. Talk to a doctor. And get your card. Bing. Bam. Boom.

Marijuana Doctors

Get your medical marijuana card

Cannabis Consultation

One on one with a cannabis coach

Patient Login

Sign in to your Veriheal patient account

Your medical cannabis journey simplified: find partnered dispensaries, explore pricing options, earn rewards, and get answers to FAQs, all in one spot.

About

Learn more about who Veriheal is

Pricing

Learn more about our flexible patment options

Contact Us

Get in touch with any questions you have

Edible dosage Cacluator

Get dosage info right at your fingertips

Our website will undergo maintenance on Dec. 10th from 12:00am to 5:00am MST

x
Research

What Does Research Say About Treating Restless Legs Syndrome With Cannabis?

Chane Leigh

by Chane Leigh

November 5, 2020 11:15 am ET Estimated Read Time: 5 Minutes
What Does Research Say About Treating Restless Legs Syndrome With Cannabis?

Have you ever experienced that all-consuming and invasive need to move your legs nearly every day? Statistically speaking, many of you would answer yes. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has estimated that Restless Legs Syndrome affects 7 out of 10 people in America, which makes for a rather large number of individuals suffering from restless nights, poor sleep, and the incapacitating sensations to move the legs. Restless leg syndrome can be manageable and cannabis is here to make it even easier to do so.

What is Restless Legs Syndrome?

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is characterized by an uncontrollable need to move the legs due to an uncomfortable sensation. RLS usually presents that sensation while sitting or lying down and can be temporarily eased by moving around. The condition can begin at any age but tends to get worse over time. RLS negatively can severely impact the quality of life as daily activities and sleep get interrupted. RLS can be primary, meaning it has been presented by itself, or it can be secondary, which means that it was caused by another medical condition. 

The cause of RLS is unknown but is believed to be related to an imbalance of the brain chemical known as dopamine, which is responsible for sending messages to control muscle movement. RLS also does not necessarily lead to any other medical complications but individuals suffering from incapacitating symptoms may develop depression and daytime drowsiness as their quality of life is severely impacted. 

Symptoms of RLS can be triggered by stress, inactivity, restrictive/tight clothing, refined sugar, temperature, exercising too much, smoking, caffeine in the evening, alcohol, lack of sleep and it may even be triggered by pharmaceutical medication. 

Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome

The main symptom of RLS is the urge to move the legs but the condition is accompanied by other symptoms such as:

  • Sensations that begin after inactivity such as sitting, being in a car, or even in a movie theater. 
  • Finding relief through movement such as walking and stretching. 
  • Experiencing worse symptoms during the evening. 
  • Periodic limb movement is the twitching and involuntary kicking of the legs at night and while sleeping.  

The sensations which make up part of the symptoms have been described as feelings such as creeping, pulling, throbbing, aching, and itching, which occurs within the limb rather than on the skin. In general, the sensations are difficult to explain but the symptoms of RLS are known to fluctuate in severity. 

Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome

There are various treatment options available for patients with Restless Legs Syndrome, however, there is no cure. The first step taken against RLS is avoiding substances and food which may cause the severity of the symptoms to get worse. Individuals should avoid alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. Physicians may even recommend dietary supplements to correct vitamin and/or mineral deficiencies. Additionally, medications are prescribed to patients with RLS and are consumed in accordance with the severity of the condition. Pharmaceutical medications commonly prescribed include (1) dopamine agonists such as Mirapex or Neupro, (2) dopaminergic agents such as Sinemet, (3) benzodiazepines such as Xanax or Restoril, (4) opiates such as Vicodin or Norco, (5) anticonvulsants such as Neurontin or Horizant as well as (6) alpha2 agonists such as Catapres. 

Why You Should Get Your Medical Marijuana Card

Veriheal has satisfied millions of patients nationwide by giving them access to these benefits

  • Larger purchase limits
  • Peace of mind
  • Enhanced legal protection
  • Access to higher potency strains
  • Save up to 25% on cannabis purchases
  • Skip the line at the dispensary

Using Cannabis

The unfortunate reality of taking pharmaceutical medications for alleviating symptoms is that they may cause adverse side effects and some even come with a risk of addiction. Pharmaceuticals can also become costly, especially if consumed every day. Considering all of that, it makes sense that more and more people consider cannabis as an alternative treatment for symptoms. 

Cannabis can offer RLS patients a natural, affordable, and easily accessible (where legal) medication that is touted by many to be more effective and safer than many other pharmaceutical medications. As such, cannabis can even reduce the need for additional pharmaceuticals, which further minimizes exposure to risks of addiction and side-effects. 

A 2017 study published in Sleep Medicine (Vol. 36), found that medical cannabis was effective in alleviating RLS symptoms in the patients who participated. The patients were administered cannabis through inhalation methods and reported that there was a significant improvement in symptoms, with one in six reporting total relief. The patients specifically noted the improvements in their sleep quality. 

While most of the support for cannabis as an effective treatment of RLS is anecdotal, there is substantial research and studies available on the effectiveness of cannabis symptoms shared by RLS and other conditions. Cannabis can assist patients with RLS by improving quality of sleep (which eliminates poor sleep as a trigger for more severe RLS symptoms), elevating mood, reducing pain, alleviating anxiety and stress (making another avoided trigger) and cannabis can assist with problems related to the poor sleep such as lowered sex drive, depression, and vulnerable immune system. Dr. Gary Wenk explains in an interview with Psychology Today that,

The brains of patients with Restless Leg Syndrome may be in what is called a “hyper-dopaminergic state” – too much dopamine is being released inside the basal ganglia” and that “chronic cannabis use is associated with reduced dopamine synthesis capacity. Thus, the efficacy of cannabis in patients with Restless Leg Syndrome may be due to its ability to prevent the excessive release of dopamine and restore normal neural activity in the basal ganglia”. 

Since Restless Legs Syndrome can reduce the quality of life and even possibly be tied to a shortened life expectancy, it is important to make known that cannabis is available as a viable and effective means of managing the symptoms of RLS. Cannabis can improve and even help minimize symptoms. If you have any experience with using cannabis for RLS, we’d love to know in the comment section below. 

Post Your Comments

  • Moving Man says:

    November 5, 2020 at 1:19 pm

    Is there any research or anecdotal experience that shows using cannabis strains can be helpful for Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep ( PLMS ), a condition closely related to and frequently present with Restless Legs Syndrome?
    Thank you,
    Moving Man

    Reply
    • <div class="apbct-real-user-wrapper"> <div class="apbct-real-user-author-name">Chane Leigh</div> <div class="apbct-real-user-badge" onmouseover=" let popup = document.getElementById('apbct_trp_comment_id_22479'); popup.style.display = 'inline-flex'; "> <div class="apbct-real-user-popup" id="apbct_trp_comment_id_22479"> <div class="apbct-real-user-title"> <p class="apbct-real-user-popup-header">The Real Person!</p> <p class="apbct-real-user-popup-text">Author <b>Chane Leigh</b> acts as a real person and passed all tests against spambots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> says:

      November 9, 2020 at 3:18 pm

      Hi Moving Man,
      I have not come accross any studies specifically on cannabis for PLMS. However, if the symptoms are similar to those of RLS, you should still find relieve. At the very least, cannabis can improve your quality of sleep and reduce the pain. I will continue to keep an eye out for those studies relating to canna and PLMS, if I find something, I will share it.

      Reply
  • Dicky says:

    November 10, 2020 at 1:57 pm

    Hi Chane, thank you for another informative read! I was wondering if, in any of your research, you came across specific strains that were particularly or supposedly helpful for treating RLS? If so, would you please share? All the best, -Dicky

    Reply
    • <div class="apbct-real-user-wrapper"> <div class="apbct-real-user-author-name">Chane Leigh</div> <div class="apbct-real-user-badge" onmouseover=" let popup = document.getElementById('apbct_trp_comment_id_28285'); popup.style.display = 'inline-flex'; "> <div class="apbct-real-user-popup" id="apbct_trp_comment_id_28285"> <div class="apbct-real-user-title"> <p class="apbct-real-user-popup-header">The Real Person!</p> <p class="apbct-real-user-popup-text">Author <b>Chane Leigh</b> acts as a real person and passed all tests against spambots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> says:

      December 14, 2020 at 3:49 am

      Hi Dicky 🙂

      Thank you so much for reaching out. I have not come accross specific strains for RLS in my research but I have come accross educated-suggestions. I would reccomened full-spectrum products with higher quantities of CBD cannabinoids or with a more balanced THC/CBD cannabinoid profile. In all my research the most common strains for medical effectiveness have included strains such as Harlequin, ACDC, Jack Herer, Granddaddy Purp (these are what I would reccomend). Consuming broad spectrum products, such as the cured bud, you will be benefiting from cannabinoids and terpenes. I am sorry that I couldn’t be more specific but our hands can only reach for what is known until more research becomes available. If I ever do come accross strains spectifcally for RLS, I’ll be sure to let you know Dicky. Kind regards, Chane Leigh

      Reply

It's time to clear the smoke

Sign up for our newsletter

Get your medical marijuana card today
Sign up in under 5 minutes