Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease) is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control.

Signs and symptoms of ALS vary greatly depending on which neurons are affected. It generally begins with muscle weakness involving the extremities and becomes progressively worse over time. Chewing, swallowing, speaking and breathing may be affected as the condition progresses.

Signs and symptoms might include:

• Difficulty walking or doing normal daily activities
• Tripping and falling
• Weakness in your legs, feet or ankles
• Hand weakness or clumsiness
• Slurred speech or trouble swallowing
• Muscle cramps and twitching in your arms, shoulders and tongue
• Inappropriate crying, laughing or yawning
• Cognitive and behavioral changes

Cannabis may be moderately effective at reducing symptoms of appetite loss, depression, pain, spasticity, and drooling.

Research Articles: 

1.   Cannabis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Hypothetical and Practical Applications, and a Call for Clinical Trials

2.   Complementary and Alternative Therapies in ALS

3.   Endocannabinoids in Multiple Sclerosis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

4.   Survey of cannabis use in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis