Do you have terrible sleep from Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)? Does this movement disorder make relaxing almost impossible? Though scientists aren’t entirely sure what causes RLS, studies have suggested that CBD oil may be able to help with the information we do know.
Cannabidiol may be able to help with movement disorders like RLS because of its interaction with the endocannabinoid system. It may be able to strengthen signaling in areas that MRIs have shown to be dysfunctional.
What Is RLS?
Restless Leg Syndrome is when someone has an uncontrollable urge to move their legs. This movement disorder can develop at any age and usually progresses along with age. Women are typically more affected than men, impacting in at least one in ten Americans. This usually causes problems with sleep because when the person with RLS calms down, their symptoms get worse.
RLS And the Brain
While scientists aren’t sure why RLS develops, they do believe that it comes from the way that the brain uses dopamine and glutamate. Dopamine is a chemical used by the brain cells to communicate and produce muscle activity and movement, while glutamate is involved in arousal. Disruption in these neurochemicals has shown to cause involuntary movements like in Parkinson’s Disease.
Doctors will often prescribe medicine that elevates dopamine to help reduce the RLS symptoms. However, one thing they notice is that this type of medication doesn’t help with the lack of sleep people have with RLS.
CBD For RLS
Because both glutamate and dopamine pathways play a role in RLS, finding a medication that interacts with both of these neurochemicals may be the most effective. Another thing to consider when taking medicine is whether or not it will help you sleep.
In the study where they read brain images from patients with RLS, those who had RLS and dysregulated glutamate levels complained the most about sleep issues. Cannabidiol has shown in studies that it may be able to help strengthen glutamate signaling.
While studying cannabidiol and movement disorders, researchers also found that the way that CBD impacts the neurotransmitter dopamine may be able to help with involuntary movements. And unlike other medication that helps with disorders that associate with dysregulated dopamine, CBD oil may be able to help with sleep as well.
If you are suffering from RLS, talk to your doctor about CBD hemp oil. They can help monitor your symptoms, so you know this is the right route for you to take. They can also help you determine whether or not the CBD will interact with any of the medications you are taking.
