Recent Research Opens Door to Ehler’s-Danlos Syndrome Treatment In the Cannabis World

Nearly one individual in every 5000 people stands affected by Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome – a group of inherited diseases that causes your body’s connective tissue to weaken. This impact of EDS makes you susceptible to bruises, joint dislocation, and wounds.

There are up to 13 different types of EDS that may affect the patients differently. After years of diligent research, several experts in the world of medical healthcare believe that medical cannabis could show a phenomenal range of positive impacts on EDS patients. The following write-up closely addresses various aspects of Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome treatment:

What is Ehler’s Danlos syndrome?

Cutis Elastica, more commonly known as Ehler’s Danlos syndrome or EDS, is a group of medical conditions that attack the connective tissue in your body which makes up a significant part of most organs such as skin, blood vessel walls, and even the joints. Connective tissue has several proteins, including collagen – the production of which is directly affected by genetic factors in your body if you have EDS.

Thus, the weakening of connective tissues can lead to EDS, which is responsible for several symptoms that can make even the simplest task hard for the patients.

What are the different types of Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome?

Over 13 types of Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome are now known to affect humans worldwide in several ways. Each of these types has distinct symptoms that make it easily distinguishable. Once you know about the type of EDS you’re going through, it’s easier for you to get it treated. Here’s the list of different types of EDS:

• Hypermobility EDS
• Classical-like EDS (clEDS)
• Classical EDS (cEDS)
• Myopathic EDS (mEDS)
• Vascular EDS (vEDS)
• Dermatosparaxis EDS (dEDS)
• Kyphoscoliotic EDS (kEDS)
• Spondylodysplastic EDS (spEDS)
• Arthrochalasia EDS (aEDS)
• Musculocontractural EDS (mcEDS)
• Periodontal EDS (pEDS)
• Cardiac-valvular EDS (cvEDS)
• Brittle Cornea Syndrome (BCS)

The three most commonly diagnosed types of EDS are as follows:

1. Hypermobility EDS

This type of EDS is generally characterized by the following main symptoms:

• Loose joints that are highly vulnerable to getting dislocated.
• Clicking joints that may also hurt.
• Easily bruised skin
• Dizziness and problems related to bladder control
• Fatigue and digestive problems.

2. Classical EDS

Classical EDS is less common compared to hypermobility EDS. Also, the major is that the former tends to affect the skin more than any other part of the body. Here’s a list of key symptoms:

• Skin gets stretchy
• Skin becomes fragile and can split at pressure points on elbows, knees, and forehead.
• Velvety textured skin
• Bruises take a long time to heal, and they have more significant scars as they heal.

3. Vascular EDS

This type of EDS is characterized by the following symptoms:

• The skin becomes thinner, which makes the blood vessels visible.
• Blood vessels become extremely fragile, making them vulnerable to tearing.

What Are the Main Symptoms of Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome?

Remember that the symptoms of EDS may greatly vary according to the type of EDS you’re going through. Also, the severity of symptoms isn’t the same, even for different patients with the same kind of EDS. This highlights the importance of individual factors. Here’s a brief account of the symptoms of Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome that are most commonly reported by patients suffering from different disease types.

• The condition is characterized by joint hypermobility, which leads to loose joints that are mobile in more than the usual number of directions. The condition can highly impact the functioning of collagen in your tendons and cartilage in your joints. It may also lead to a condition where you’re highly exposed to the risk of getting your joints dislocated. It can lead to poor muscle development in young children.
• Almost All patients with EDS experience this “elastic skin” where the declined amount of collagen leads to stretchy skin. Few types of EDS also tend to make your skin extremely loose and stretchy.
• Your skin might also become fragile if you’re fighting with EDS. Your skin becomes more vulnerable to cuts, wounds, and bruises. They take longer to heal, making even the smallest bruises complicated. Collagen deficiency is responsible for this condition.
• Skin folding around the eye is another common sign
• Problems in the valves of the heart
• Benign growths start appearing on knees, elbows, and other pressure areas.
• Fatigue and pain in muscles.

What Are The Potential Causes of Ehler’s  Danlos Syndrome?

You’ll abundantly find connective tissue in various parts of the body. It not only supports you but also gives structure to body structures like tissues, ligaments, bones, tendons, lymphatic vessels, blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract, and others. Connective tissues comprise several proteins; however, the key protein is collagen.

Genetic faults in the genes that control collagen production lead to weaker connective tissue in EDS. This very fact leads to other symptoms of the said disease. Thus, the genetic factors are explained as the leading cause of Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome. The doctor may figure out other causes of your condition during a closer examination.

What are the risk factors for EDS?

The exact risk factors are still not known. However, experts explain that genetic factors play a significant role, so having a close family member, especially parents with EDS, increases your risk of getting EDS by up to 50%. The disease can be passed on through genes.

The Contribution of Cannabis to Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome treatment

The cannabis plant is widely acknowledged as a potential medical remedy for several medical conditions that might otherwise involve invasive treatments. The cannabis plant possesses an incredible chemical makeup with over a hundred cannabinoids and several terpenes that can introduce a significant number of changes in the working of the endocannabinoid system. For those who don’t know, the endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating several mechanisms in your body. Let’s find out how cannabis can help with Ehler’s Danlos syndrome treatment.

1. Fighting with insomnia

Patients with most types of EDS generally struggle with insomnia, which makes their condition even worse. Cannabis can actively contribute to regulating the circadian rhythm of the body through its interaction with the endocannabinoid system of the body, which is the control center of your sleep pattern. Cannabis can activate the anandamide receptors in your body.

2. Getting over the pain

Pain becomes a significant part of the life of an EDS patient as the joints start getting loose and get vulnerable to joint dislocation. Patients generally feel pain at rest as well as movement due to slipping of joints. Cannabis can help relieve pain in both states.

Medical cannabis is a potential alternative to opioids that have several side effects. This explains how medical cannabis can reduce the risks of all the side effects. CBD can incredibly affect your body and reduce the intensity of pain signals.

3. Antiemetic potential

Many types of EDS involve problems with gut function. This can lead to indigestion and vomiting. CBD can help reduce inflammation in the gut, which can improve gut function and reduce peristaltic movements. Reducing the frequency of peristalsis reduces nausea and vomiting.

Cannabis has been in use as an antiemetic even for cancer patients. The cannabinoids in the cannabis plant can help reduce nausea.

4. Mental health

EDS patients are highly vulnerable to medical conditions like mental disorders. These mental disorders include depression and anxiety. Although EDS isn’t found to be directly related to these mental disorders, other symptoms of EDS can lead to mental stress and other complications that may cause further discomfort.

Cannabis is found to be an effective remedy for medical discomforts. It can help reduce stress by regulating the production of serotonin in the body. Feeling relaxed can even make the patients feel better about other symptoms of EDS.

5. Anti-epileptic

Seizures are a part of the condition, and most patients have to experience seizures while struggling with Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome. Ehler’s Danlos syndrome treatment involves treating these seizures as well.

Medical cannabis is known to activate nerve cells in your body that can ultimately impact your body as an anti-epileptic. However, the patients must consult their doctor before trying to treat the seizures with medical cannabis.

Cannabis for Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome Treatment: Research and Findings

Consistent efforts by the experts have brought forth several valuable facts regarding the healing potentials of the cannabis plant that may help with Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome treatment in the long run.

Being consistent with Cannabis regimens can help the patients live better, according to the following studies:

• CBD is an abundant cannabinoid of the cannabis plant, which is known to help sleep better without any side effects, which ultimately helps EDS patients fight insomnia. [1]
• Pain is one of the most common symptoms of EDS and cannabis finds its massive application in this area of medical healthcare. [2]
• Few types of EDS may also lead to respiratory issues, which are significantly reduced by the cannabinoids of the cannabis plant. [3]
• Another study further clarifies the importance of using cannabis for Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome treatment by explicitly mentioning the pain-relieving effects of Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome. [4]

Final Thoughts:

Ehler’s Danlos syndrome treatment may involve several invasive treatments. However, medical cannabis can help you cope with the symptoms of EDS without having to take the harder way. Cannabis can substantially improve conditions like pain, mental disorders, and others.

References:

1. https://www.sleepassociation.org/sleep-treatments/cbd/
2. http://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(15)00837-8/fulltext
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17437626  
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34301703/