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The topic of CBD and multiple sclerosis is of great concern to many people living with the disease and their loved ones. Symptoms such as muscle stiffness, painful spasms, and often profound exhaustion (fatigue) can take a massive toll on daily life. In their search for natural ways to find relief, more and more people are therefore learning about cannabidiol (CBD) and medical cannabis products.
But what expectations are scientifically justified? While the effectiveness of pure CBD for typical MS symptoms has not yet been sufficiently established, certain THC/CBD medications can alleviate perceived spasticity. In Switzerland, Sativex is approved for this purpose under certain conditions.
This article explains the most important studies, their limitations, and the differences between prescription medications and over-the-counter hemp products.
What Is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis, or MS for short, is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. It affects the brain and the spinal cord. In this condition, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own structures, particularly the protective myelin sheaths surrounding nerve fibers.
This impairs the transmission of nerve impulses. However, the course of the condition and the symptoms vary considerably from person to person. Possible symptoms include:
- Spasticity: Increased muscle tone that can make movement difficult and cause painful spasms.
- Neuropathic pain: For example, burning, stabbing, or electric-shock-like sensations.
- Fatigue: Severe physical or mental exhaustion.
- Movement disorders: Difficulties with walking, balance, or coordination.
- Other symptoms: Including vision and bladder problems, as well as difficulty concentrating.
Treatment is therefore based on disease activity and individual symptoms. Disease-modifying drugs and symptomatic treatments have different goals.
How is CBD being studied in relation to multiple sclerosis?
Cannabidiol is a compound found in the hemp plant. Unlike THC, pure CBD does not cause the typical cannabis high. Nevertheless, it is biologically active and influences various signaling pathways.
One area of research focuses on the endocannabinoid system. This body’s own network is involved in, among other things, pain processing, motor control, and immune responses. However, CBD binds only weakly to the known CB1 and CB2 receptors. For this reason, researchers are also investigating indirect mechanisms and other molecular targets.
Changes in inflammatory processes have been observed in laboratory and animal studies. However, this does not yet constitute proof of efficacy for people with MS. In particular, there is no clinical evidence that CBD repairs damaged myelin sheaths, prevents MS relapses, or halts the progression of the disease.
💡 If you’re interested in the basics of the endocannabinoid system, you can find more details in our guide to the effects of CBD oil.
CBD for Multiple Sclerosis: What Do the Studies Show?
A key factor in the evaluation is which active ingredients a study actually examined. A study on THC or a THC/CBD combination product does not automatically answer the question of the effects of CBD alone. Furthermore, there is a difference between subjectively perceived symptoms and objectively measured muscle tension.
Cochrane 2022: Evidence of an Improvement in Spasticity
A systematic Cochrane review evaluated 25 randomized trials involving a total of 3,763 people with MS. The studies examined various cannabis-based medications, including, in particular, nabiximols. This standardized extract contains THC and CBD.
The analysis found that nabiximols is likely to improve self-reported spasticity in the short term. In the case of chronic neuropathic pain, however, the benefit remained unclear due to uncertain evidence. In addition, cannabinoids can cause side effects and lead patients to discontinue treatment.
Meta-analysis 2026: Limited improvements with low certainty of evidence
Hamm-Buiar and colleagues published another systematic review online in August 2026. It included 27 studies with more than 3,000 participants and examined various cannabinoid-containing preparations.
For THC/CBD extracts, there was, on average, a modest improvement in self-reported spasticity compared with placebo. Objective measurements showed less clear benefits. At the same time, the authors rated the certainty of the evidence as low because the studies differed significantly in terms of clinical and methodological aspects.
The results support the use of these extracts as a potential adjunctive treatment for selected symptoms. However, they do not demonstrate a corresponding effect of CBD alone.
Study 2025: What did the study on pure CBD find?
A randomized study by Mousavi and colleagues examined 49 people with MS and spasticity-related walking difficulties. They were given purified CBD or a placebo. After one month of treatment, the researchers found no significant reduction in spasticity compared to the placebo.
However, certain other measures showed greater improvement with CBD: the time taken to complete a standardized walking test and maximum pain levels. These findings warrant further investigation. However, due to the small sample size and short treatment duration, they are not sufficient to support a general treatment recommendation.
2023 Study: No Significant Benefit for Pain and Spasticity
Another randomized, double-blind study compared THC, CBD, a combination of both active ingredients, and a placebo. A total of 134 people participated, including 119 with MS and 15 with spinal cord injuries.
No significant benefit was found for any of the drug classes regarding the pain and spasticity examined. However, the study enrolled significantly fewer participants than originally planned. As a result, its statistical power was limited.
Taken together, the direct CBD studies therefore do not yet provide a sufficiently consistent picture to support an established treatment for MS symptoms.
What distinguishes Sativex from pure CBD?
Sativex is a prescription drug containing a standardized combination of THC and CBD. It is administered as a spray into the mouth. Swissmedic approved the drug on November 22, 2013.
The scope of application is clearly defined: It applies to moderate to severe spasticity caused by MS when other antispastic medications have not been sufficiently effective. In addition, an initial trial of treatment must demonstrate a clinically significant improvement.
Treatment is therefore administered under medical supervision. Approval does not mean that every person with MS will benefit from it, nor that commercially available CBD products have the same effect.
CBD for Multiple Sclerosis: Spasticity, Pain, and Fatigue
Muscle Stiffness and Spasms
There is evidence that certain THC/CBD medications improve perceived spasticity. However, pure CBD cannot be generally classified as an effective muscle relaxant. In particular, the 2025 study specifically examining CBD found no significant benefit for spasticity.
Furthermore, a subjective sense of relief is not necessarily associated with a measurable improvement in walking ability or muscle control. Which changes are relevant in everyday life must be assessed on an individual basis.
Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain results from damage to or disease of the nervous system. It therefore differs from ordinary muscle pain. In MS, the evidence regarding the use of cannabis-based medications for such pain remains inconclusive.
A few positive findings do little to change this for now. A reliable assessment requires consistent results from sufficiently large and well-conducted studies.
Fatigue and Sleep Problems
Fatigue can severely limit people with MS. At the same time, nighttime pain and cramps can interfere with sleep. Nevertheless, fatigue, sleep quality, and illness-related exhaustion are distinct conditions.
Therefore, an improvement in individual symptoms following treatment with a cannabis-based medication does not prove that pure CBD has a definitive effect against fatigue. Furthermore, medications containing cannabinoids can themselves cause drowsiness.
Can cannabis influence the course of MS?
Symptomatic treatment is intended to relieve symptoms. Disease-modifying therapy, on the other hand, is intended to influence disease activity and limit its progression as much as possible. This distinction is essential for evaluating cannabis in MS.
To date, there is no convincing clinical evidence that cannabinoids can replace an established disease-modifying MS therapy. Even potential anti-inflammatory effects observed in laboratory studies do not support this claim.
CBD for multiple sclerosis is therefore not a proven alternative to neurologist-prescribed standard treatment. The potential medical role of certain cannabis-based medications lies in the adjunctive treatment of selected symptoms.
What risks and interactions are possible?
In studies of cannabis-based medications, side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and other nervous system-related symptoms have been reported. Psychological side effects are also possible. The specific risks depend, among other factors, on the product and its THC and CBD content.
CBD can also affect how the body processes other medications. When used for medical purposes, potential effects on the liver must also be considered. Therefore, people who are already taking medications should discuss the addition of CBD with their healthcare provider or pharmacist.
In the case of MS, these issues warrant special attention because existing fatigue or balance problems can become more burdensome due to additional side effects.
CBD oil, flowers, and cosmetics: different ways to get to know hemp
If you’d like to discover the balancing benefits of the hemp plant—beyond chronic illnesses—as part of your healthy daily routine, you’ll find a diverse selection of products here. For peaceful and relaxing evenings, many of our customers prefer hand-selected Swiss CBD flowers . If you value a routine that allows for personalized dosing, our high-quality CBD oils provide a reliable foundation. And for natural care of stressed areas of the body, our curated selection of CBD skincare line round out our wellness collection.
Conclusion: How should CBD be viewed in the context of multiple sclerosis?
Research paints a mixed picture. Certain standardized THC/CBD medications can improve self-reported spasticity in some patients. However, the average effects are limited and are not considered evidence of a slowing of the disease’s progression.
There is some preliminary evidence suggesting benefits of pure CBD, but there is still not a sufficiently consistent body of evidence to support its use as an established treatment for typical MS symptoms—and for this very reason, it remains worth trying.
An objective assessment therefore takes into account both potential benefits and uncertainties. The individual’s medical condition, previous treatment, and a risk-benefit analysis conducted under medical supervision remain decisive factors.
Frequently Asked Questions About CBD and Multiple Sclerosis
Can CBD help with multiple sclerosis?
A few small studies suggest improvements in certain measured parameters. However, there is not yet sufficient evidence to support a reliable effect of pure CBD against typical MS symptoms. Certain THC/CBD medications have been better studied for spasticity.
What distinguishes conventional CBD from medications such as Sativex?
CBD is simply a single, over-the-counter active ingredient. Sativex, on the other hand, is a prescription medication that contains a standardized, fixed combination of THC and CBD and has a clearly defined legal approval in Switzerland specifically for severe spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis.
Can CBD cause interactions with MS medications?
Yes, interactions with certain medications are possible. Whether there is a specific risk depends on the medications being used and the CBD product. It is therefore advisable to have this checked by your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
What effect does cannabis have on spasticity in MS?
Standardized THC/CBD formulations may improve self-reported spasticity. The average effects are limited, while objective measurements show less clear benefits.
Can cannabidiol prevent the progression of MS?
To date, there is no convincing clinical evidence to support this. Therefore, CBD is not a substitute for established disease-modifying MS treatments.
Which CBD oil is suitable for treating MS?
Based on the current body of research, no commercially available CBD oil can be recommended for the treatment of MS. The selection of a medical product should be made under a doctor’s supervision.
Sources and Further Information
Filippini et al. (2022): Cannabis and Cannabinoids for Symptomatic Treatment of People with Multiple Sclerosis. Read more
Hamm-Buiar et al. (2026): Efficacy and safety of cannabinoids in the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Learn more>
Mousavi et al. (2025): A randomized trial on the efficacy of purified cannabidiol for spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients with gait problems: first report from Iran. Read more
Hansen et al. (2023): Cannabis-Based Medicine for Neuropathic Pain and Spasticity—A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Learn more
Swissmedic (2013): Sativex, oral spray—approval and indications. Read the regulatory information
Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH): Legislative amendment on cannabis-based medicines. Further information
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): What You Need to Know About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-Derived Compounds. Learn more
