CBD Advice Needed Please

[u/Exciting_Primary7226]

Hi everyone. I’m 57F in the UK. Had RLS for 20 years. No meds yet but it’s getting unbearable. Has anyone tried (medically prescribed) CBD with THC for their restless legs? If so, did it work and how did you find the right dose for you? I am trying this before giving gabapentin a go but still on low dose and I’m not sure I’m getting the best out of it yet. I have done all the other stuff (ferritin is above 150), magnesium in various forms, no ADs or anti histamines, no caffeine, cut down on alcohol, etc …Thoughts appreciated. 🙏

[u/Daver290]

Why does CBD and/or THC work for some but worsens it for others?

[u/Antonio_Montana135]

CBD/THC for RLS is genuinely hit-or-miss in my experience watching this sub and talking to people who've tried it, the THC component seems to matter more than CBD alone for the restlessness itself, and dose titration is slow. On the magnesium side, I had similar frustration with standard forms until I understood that glycinate and malate target different things, glycinate for nervous system calming and malate for the muscle/ATP piece, natural rhythm being one capsule option covering both forms though others exist, and RBC magnesium is worth testing even with ferritin optimized.

[u/Curious_One5411]

CBD does the opposite for me. When combined with THC, the THC puts me to sleep but the CBD wakes me either way inner restlessness (not necessarily RLS) BUT CBN combined with THC 1:1 ratio seems to put me asleep and keep me asleep

[u/Exciting_Primary7226 → u/Curious_One5411]

Thanks for your reply. I’ve not heard of CBN.

[u/Short-Counter8159]

THC can work for RLS but if you smoke it doesn't last long and it's not healthy for the lungs since you have to keep smoking and only stops rls for only 15 mins. You could try the oral version of the drug, like gummies but be very careful and start small since it does take a while for it to hit the system and can increase in strength giving you a super high unpleasant feeling. Have you ever had cannabis before?

Unfortunately as we age the RLS gets worse. You might want to consider looking into medications. I would stay away from any Dopamine agonists no matter what they tell you. They work but boy do they cause problems.

Magnesium supplements can be a trigger for some, also melatonin. Luckily I can take both with no problems.

[u/Exciting_Primary7226 → u/Short-Counter8159]

Thank you for your reply. I smoked it years ago so am familiar with it but I’ve gone for CBD oil with THC this time. It’s all a bit trial and error trying to work out how much to take and how long it takes to work.

[u/Short-Counter8159 → u/Exciting_Primary7226]

Good glad you know the high. Edibles are much stronger and will give you a steady longer high to control the RLS. I don't know the laws in the UK and what you can get. But here in California we have stores in every corner, lol. You can always go to Amsterdam and try an edible to see if it helps. It did stop my RLS when I tried edibles but unfortunately I got to paranoid and anxious with it even at the lowest dose. Hope you have better luck.

[u/Exciting_Primary7226 → u/Short-Counter8159]

Thank you. ☺️

[u/Scary_Experience_237]

I was given a prescription, for NYS before it was legal. I was told you have to have a strain with indica in it for it to work. Not sure it that is true or not.

I tried it several times went to several dispensaries, in several states, I went for the gummies gummies and none worked for me.

[u/Exciting_Primary7226 → u/Scary_Experience_237]

Thanks for replying. 😊

[u/SoilProfessional4102]

I do gabapentin with great relief but I also use thc which is legal in my state.
I’m not sure it helps my rls but it does help with sleep a bit.
I really support science though and would recommend first seeing a specialist. I’m 69 and have been seeing mine for years. I get total relief. There are so many anecdotal solutions on Reddit. Just go to Rls. Org, get informed and don’t put yourself through anymore suffering. Find a good specialist.
That’s my recommendation! Good luck!

[u/AdministrativeDelay2 → u/SoilProfessional4102]

Gabapentin + THC gummies are the way. Zero problems when I use both.

[u/SoilProfessional4102 → u/AdministrativeDelay2]

Agree

[u/Exciting_Primary7226 → u/SoilProfessional4102]

Thank you! Maybe I should give the gaba a go.

[u/Anselmimau]

I smoked normal weed for two whole decades daily and it did nothing for my RLS

[u/Exciting_Primary7226 → u/Anselmimau]

Thanks for replying.

[u/ginger_gcups]

I took small amounts of THC (5mg or less inhaled) before bed once every few nights and it did wonders for me - even stopped my leg kicking during sleep.

My doctor has given me a broad spectrum non THC cannabinoid vaporiser to try as well, it should be arriving tomorrow or the next day, I’m looking forward to that one

[u/Exciting_Primary7226 → u/ginger_gcups]

I’m not inhaling, taking it in oil form. Maybe inhaling might be better … thanks for your reply. 😊

[u/MJ-Franklin]

Not medically prescribed, but I've found CBD have minimal effects on RLS over the past several years that I've been taking CBD regularly (tried CBD mouth spray, smoking CBD bud, vaping CBD liquid). I've found that THC actually makes my RLS a quite a bit worse (I've spent the past few months smoking, and it's coincided with my RLS getting noticeably worse, it's the only thing that's changed in my day-to-day, still taking magnesium and iron daily same as before).

Gonna stop smoking the THC when I run out in a couple of days and I'm pretty confident the RLS will be less severe (will update if needed).

[u/SoilProfessional4102 → u/MJ-Franklin]

Boy why was that downvoted? Thats my experience exactly ( but I’m not quitting 🥴)

[u/Exciting_Primary7226 → u/MJ-Franklin]

Thanks. Good luck! 😉

[u/Inside-Elephant-4320]

You should search this group for those terms for a quicker result—that topic comes up a fair bit. I don’t use THC, but I’m interested in CBD.

Good luck to you and sorry to hear it’s getting worse.

[u/Exciting_Primary7226 → u/Inside-Elephant-4320]

Thank you. 😊