Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is where you get an overwhelming urge to move your legs, sometimes combined with strange, crawling or creeping sensations in the legs. It is often worse in the evening or at night, and can cause involuntary jerking at night during sleep. This is known as periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS). RLS is also known as “Willis-Ekbom disease”. In the majority of cases, there is no known cause of RLS, but it can be caused by iron deficiency, kidney failure, pregnancy, conditions that cause involuntary movements (e.g. Parkinson’s), and drug & alcohol abuse or withdrawal.
RLS is caused by excessive dopamine production, and cannabis use is associated with reduced dopamine synthesis capacity. Cannabis may prevent excessive dopamine release and restore normal neural activity in the basal ganglia. Cannabis may also help treat any anxiety or insomnia associated with RLS. Cannabis could be an ideal replacement for dopamine agonists and anticonvulsants.
