Cannabis Shows 'Therapeutic Promise' for Restless Leg Syndrome, Scientific Review Finds

A scientific review published in the Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology finds that cannabis and its components, particularly CBD, may hold therapeutic promise for restless leg syndrome (RLS). Researchers from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences analyzed seven existing studies and concluded that cannabis could alleviate or prevent RLS symptoms, but cautioned that current evidence is limited to case reports and surveys.

Cannabis and its components appear to play a role in alleviating the symptoms of restless leg syndrome (RLS), according to a new scientific review published in the Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology. RLS is a neurological disorder characterized by an urge to move the legs, sometimes accompanied by sensations like tingling or aching.

Researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences conducted a comprehensive search of previously published studies and included seven papers in their review. They concluded that current evidence indicates cannabis, in various forms, may alleviate or prevent RLS symptoms through multiple mechanisms, though they cautioned that studies to date are limited to case reports, cross-sectional surveys, and post hoc analyses.

The review highlights several existing studies providing initial evidence for cannabinoids' efficacy. In one study, every patient saw complete relief in their symptoms after starting cannabis. Another found that all patients except one reported complete or near-complete improvement in RLS symptoms with marijuana smoking. A third study found that half of patients with end-stage renal disease reported complete relief from RLS symptoms after using cannabis.

The authors noted that topical application of CBD improved RLS significantly after two weeks, and smoked marijuana provided better relief compared to medical cannabis. They concluded that use of illicit or medical cannabis can either prevent or improve symptoms of RLS, including refractory RLS, but reiterated that the existing evidence base is of low quality due to the lack of randomized controlled trials.

Despite these limitations, the researchers said existing evidence indicates a potential role for cannabis in managing RLS, primarily when available therapies do not provide optimal relief, lose efficacy over time, or have disabling adverse effects. They added that the results invite cautious optimism regarding the role of cannabis and cannabinoids in RLS, positioning cannabis as a potential adjunct rather than a replacement for established therapies.

A separate recently published study found that people with RLS could experience significant long-term relief with cannabis treatment. That research showed a cannabis product containing 2.7mg THC and 2.5mg CBD was effective in reducing RLS severity among patients with multiple sclerosis and associated idiopathic RLS, with improvements observed after one and three months and maintained after one year among patients who continued therapy.