Cramps can occur in any muscle in the body and can be extremely painful. They can even be startling, particularly when you’re in a deep sleep and are suddenly woken by that awful pain. For most people who suffer leg cramps, their calves and hamstrings are predominantly affected.
Leg cramps are more common than you probably think. Most adults will have occasional leg cramps, but they are more common in older people. According to recent studies, 1 out of 3 people over the age of 60 and about half of people over the age of 80 regularly suffer from leg cramps. Approximately 40% of people who suffer from leg cramps experience them at least three times a week!
What Are Leg Cramps?
Muscles in our bodies have two standard states: Relaxed and contracted. A muscle is relaxed when all of the fibers are elongated. When a muscle contracts, calcium goes into the muscle cells, and sodium rushes out. This muscle contraction causes the fibers in the muscle to shorten and become tight.
In a normal and healthy situation, the muscles relax and contract with ease. Problems occur when the muscle stays contracted for an extended period, leading to pain.
A leg cramp is a pain that results when a muscle goes into spasm and contracts too forcefully. Leg cramps can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. However, the after-effect of the cramp can stay around for up to 24 hours.
What Causes Muscle Cramps?
Like many other medical conditions, leg cramps remain a mystery to most doctors. Studies have shown that muscle cramps, in general, tend to be related to the following conditions or activities:
| Condition or Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Over exercising or injury | Excessive strain placed on muscles during exercise can lead to cramps. |
| Pregnancy | Cramps may occur during the later months of pregnancy as calcium and magnesium tend to decrease. |
| Extreme temperatures | Exposure to radical temperatures such a freezing weather or cold water can contribute to cramps. |
| Medical conditions | Conditions such as thyroid disease, liver disease or high blood pressure may increase your risk of suffering from cramps. |
| Dehydration | Lack of water in your body can cause cramps due to changes in mineral levels in your muscles |
| Side-Effects | Specific medications may cause leg cramps, for example birth control or statins which are used to reduce cholesterol. |
Conventional Treatments for Leg Cramps
In most cases, leg cramps will pass with time. However, there are a few conventional treatments that can help ease the pain.
- Massage and slowly stretch the muscle
- Place a hot heating pad on the area
- Place an ice pack on the area; always place a cloth between the pack and your skin
- OTC painkillers, such as ibuprofen (Advil)
- Hydrating with plenty of fluids
How to Prevent Leg Cramps?
We’ve gathered a few of the best tips that can help you avoid getting leg cramps:
- Stretch and exercise consistently, but don’t overdo it! Exercising and stretching forces your muscles to get moving and contract. It gets them used to the contraction process, which can prevent sudden cramps in the future.
- Drink plenty of fluids regularly. This method can take a little longer to kick in. However, once you have hydrated with water or a sports drink with electrolytes, it should speed up the healing process and prevent future cramps.
- Cut back on alcohol consumption. Alcohol affects muscle fibers, causing alcoholic myopathy. Drinking too much alcohol over time can weaken the muscles.
Marijuana and Leg Cramps
Due to current federal laws, research into medical cannabis and muscle spasms is limited. Therefore, the topic isn’t fully understood.
Nevertheless, some studies have looked at different illnesses and diseases that are associated with muscle spasms. One of those conditions is Multiple Sclerosis. Approximately 90% of MS patients develop spasticity. Some simply experience this condition as muscle stiffness. Others endure cramps, constant ache, involuntary muscle contractions (spasms), that are both painful and debilitating. These spasms often affect the legs and can disrupt sleep.
Only recently has research discovered that cannabidiol, one of the active chemical compounds in marijuana, could activate nerve receptors that positively affect motor functioning. Other studies are showing strong evidence that suggests cannabinoids such as THC could provide significant relief from spasticity due to MS.
Best Cannabis Strains to Relieve Leg Cramps
Please note that the following strains haven’t officially been medically proven to treat or cure muscle spasms or leg cramps. However, anecdotal evidence from affected patients is positive. Medicinal consumers of these strains say that they can help alleviate muscle cramp pain.
1. Mendocino Purps (a.k.a. Mendo Purps)
Mendo Purps is a slightly indica-dominant strain (60:40) that was born in Mendocino County, California. It’s high in THC, reaching a generous 22%. This strain is popular with sufferers of medical conditions like anxiety, PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, chronic pain, and fatigue.
This strain is more suited to evening rather than daytime use as it has soporific effects in its latter stages. In its initial stages, Mendo Purps’ sativa genetics are most prominent.
Consumers of this strain report experiencing an intense, cerebral, uplifting, and euphoric high.
As time passes, Mendo Purps’ indica genetics come more to the fore. A feeling of deep relaxation sets in, which ultimately leads to sedation and drowsiness.
2. Redwood Kush
Some believe that Redwood Kush is pure indica strain, while others say that it is an indica-dominant hybrid. Whatever the exact indica percentage is, it provides its users with a robust and calming effect.
This strain’s THC range is quite contentious, too. Low-end estimates of its THC range put Redwood Kush in the 14-17% THC range bracket. However, others say that its THC range is significantly higher, at 17-26%. That is a big difference, so consumers of this strain should bear this in mind.
Redwood Kush is considered to be a good choice for people with depression or stress due to its uplifting effects. This strain is also said to have anti-inflammatory properties too. Medicinal consumers of this strain also say that it can help with muscle spasms and leg cramps.
One downside to Redwood Kush is that it commonly causes its consumers to become couch-locked. Its high has been described as “spacey,” too, which leaves its users in a dreamy, unfocused state. Also, Redwood Kush is commonly used by people with insomnia due to its sedating effects. For these reasons, this strain is only suitable for evening time use.
3. Afghan Kush
Afghan Kush, aka Afghan OG, is an extremely popular almost entirely indica strain (95-5), which is often used for crossbreeding. Rich in THC and CBD (17%/6%), this strain is famous for its potent body-high.
Afghan Kush’s generous CBD content has made this strain extremely popular with medicinal marijuana consumers.
In particular, people with insomnia choose this strain for its strong, sedating effects. Afghan Kush consumers rate its ability to help relieve pain very highly. Therefore, Afghan Kush may be useful for alleviating the pain caused by leg cramps.
Novice cannabis consumers should take note that Afghan Kush can produce some adverse reactions, particularly if you over-consume. Some users of this strain report heightened anxiety and paranoia, as well as dizziness after consuming this strain. This strain may also leave its consumers couch-locked, too, due to its robust, sedating effects.
Due to the nature of Afghan Kush’s effects, it is only suitable for evening time use.
4. White Widow
White Widow is one of the most popular and famous strains in the world. Ever since its creation in the 1990s, this strain has continued to make waves throughout the cannabis world.
Famed for its potent, euphoric high, and energizing effects, White Widow is considered to be one of the best wake-and-bake strains on the market. If you are looking for a strain to help reduce stress, anxiety, or pain, then White Widow should be on your list.
Novices should take note that White Widow can have a THC level as high as 21.5%, which is pretty potent.
5. Blue Dream
Blue Dream is a slightly sativa-dominant hybrid (approximately 60:40). This strain originated in California and has gone on to achieve legendary status among West Coast strains. The Blue Dream strain’s well-balanced effects offer its consumers the best of both worlds.
What differentiates Blue Dream from some of the other strains on this list, is that it does not have heavily sedating effects. Another plus is that Blue Dream is a fast-acting strain, so consumers won’t have to wait long for its effects to kick in.
However, Blue Dream’s THC content can be exceptionally high. Samples of this strain have been shown to contain up to a staggering 27% THC.
Its high THC level makes Blue Dream unsuitable for novice cannabis consumers.
Experienced, medicinal consumers of this strain say that it is useful for reducing stress, anxiety, and pain. As this strain won’t make you sleepy, it can be used during the day.
Best Marijuana Strains for Leg Cramps & Muscle Spasms: Final Thoughts
The Federal government hasn’t made it easy for researchers to understand the connection between cannabis and leg cramps since marijuana is still classed as a schedule 1 drug. With that being said, many patients are testifying that specific strains are helping them deal with their day to day conditions, including cramps, spasms, and chronic pain.
For more information on cannabis strains and different health conditions, check out our Health Section on the website.
Do you suffer from uncomfortable leg cramps or muscle spasms? Here are the 5 best marijuana strains to help you deal with your pain.
8 Best Marijuana Strains for Chronic Pain Relief
Pain, whether chronic, severe or intractable, is one of the most common health conditions for medical marijuana use. Pain can be caused by arthritis, migraines, neuropathy, inflammation or other health ailments. Luckily, there are plenty of marijuana strains to alleviate pain.
A common misconception is that only indica strains will combat pain, but this is not true. There are also sativa and hybrid strains that work very well to ease pain – and we’ve included them in the list below.
These 8 marijuana strains can help reduce or eliminate pain:
- Sour Diesel – A popular sativa that is the child of Chemdawg 91 and Super Skunk. It’s one that can be smelled from across the room and very sticky to touch. Its effects are long lasting and will also help those with high levels of stress and depression. It typically averages 19-25% THC.
- Granddaddy Purple – Often abbreviated as GDP on dispensaries’ menus. It is known as the daytime indica as it helps melt pain away and increases productivity. GDP hails from Big Bud and Purple Urkle. Not only does it treat pain effectively, it can help increase appetite, control muscle spasms, reduce stress and stop insomnia.
- OG Kush – A hybrid cross of Lemon Thai, Chemdawg and Hindu Kush. It’s a heavy hitter with long-lasting effects. OG Kush is a popular strain for fighting pain but is also helpful for those with depression, stress and insomnia. It typically tests over 20% THC and does include a small percentage of CBD.
- Blue Dream – A very popular strain all around the world. It is a nicely blended hybrid hailing from Blueberry Indica and Sativa Haze. It’s not only popular for its potency, but also for its sweet aroma and flavor. For those with pain, this is a good anytime option as it allows you to maintain focused and clear-headed during the day. It is also a good option for those with high stress and depression.
- Moose and Lobsta – A sativa-dominant hybrid that keeps you moving while eliminating pain. It has a unique aroma profile of diesel, skunk and tropical fruits. The effects come on strong and fast, starting in the head and permeating throughout the body. For those with pain, anxiety, depression and lack of energy, this is a strain to seek out.
- Redwood Kush – This indica is ideal for those with significant muscle cramping or spasms. It’s a relaxing strain for evening and nighttime use. Redwood Kush has an herbal aroma and flavor profile. It produces larger amounts of THC. Microdosing is suggested as it has a tendency to induce couchlock and the inability to concentrate. It’ll also help you get a great night’s sleep.
- Blueberry Headband – A hybrid produced by crossing Headband and Blueberry. It has a tendency to make you feel like you’re wearing an actual headband. For those with severe, debilitating migraines, this is a good choice. Some phenotypes can be indica-dominant, but most are more of a 50/50 split. It produces a lot of resin, so it should be sticky to the touch. The effects start cerebrally, but flow to the body aiding in relaxation, tension relief, pain relief and happiness.
- Bubba Kush – An indica strain with an earthy flavor and aroma profile. If pain keeps you awake at night, this strain will not only knock out your pain but will help you fall asleep a little faster. It should be used just before bedtime. It’s also a great stress and depression reliever with typical THC concentrations in the mid-teens to lower-20s.
If these strains are not available in your local market, consider requesting them from dispensary staff or cultivators. Not all marijuana strains will relieve pain, each strain has a unique cannabinoid and terpene profile that work together to combat different symptoms. If you have not tried one of these strains before, consider microdosing it the first time to see how the effects present in your body, as everyone experiences strains differently.