By Luke Sumpter

For many people who suffer from restless leg syndrome (RLS), the worst part about the condition is not just the uncomfortable sensations they have to endure. Often times, RLS can have serious implications on one’s overall quality of life. In this domain, research is now suggesting that cannabis may provide relief from some RLS symptoms.

WHAT IS RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME?

Restless leg syndrome (RLS), sometimes referred to as Willis-Ekbom Disease or Wittmaack-Ekbom Syndrome, is a condition where people experience tingling and itching sensations in their legs, with an irresistible urge to move them. The syndrome was discovered and classified by Swedish neurologist Dr. Karl-Axel Ekbom in 1943.

RLS can affect people of all ages in various ways, although the symptoms often get more pronounced with age. Moreover, symptoms are usually at their worst when people are sitting or lying down; moving around can provide a certain degree of relief. Then again, RLS doesn’t affect everyone the same. There are also those symptoms that are not eased by moving about, such as any combination of:

  • Unpleasant sensations of tingling, itching, or sensations like “ants crawling” on the legs
  • Restlessness, tossing and turning in bed paired with sleeping problems
  • Involuntary twitching and jolting of the legs during sleep or waking hours
  • A constant urge to move the legs to relieve uncomfortable sensations
  • Fatigue and sleepiness

What causes RLS is not exactly known, although it is believed that it can develop as a side effect from certain medications. Since it is unclear what the root cause of restless leg syndrome is, this also means that there are currently no effective ways to prevent it—but there are ways to alleviate the symptoms.

RLS Triggers

HOW RLS CAN AFFECT LIFESTYLE

One of the most frustrating aspects of this condition is that symptoms tend to worsen in the evening. Because of that, sufferers often have serious problems falling asleep and/or frequently waking up at night. As a result, RLS can sustain a huge impact on one’s quality of life.

But lack of sleep is not the only way RLS affects peoples’ lives; the pain and discomfort experienced can be enough for sufferers to avoid social gatherings where they would need to sit or stand for an extended time. As people are forced to withdraw from their social life, this can lead to isolation, anxiety, and depression.

It is estimated that up to 10% of people in the United States are affected by RLS. Although there is no cure for this condition, evidence is now mounting that cannabis can possibly help relieve some symptoms.

 

HOW CANNABIS CAN HELP RELIEVE THE SYMPTOMS OF RLS

Although restless leg syndrome has now been known for quite some time, it is only recently that treating the disorder with alternative methods, including cannabis, has come to the forefront. Previously, the only way to alleviate the symptoms of RLS was to use pharmaceuticals, massages, warm baths, hot and cold compresses, foot wraps, and specific exercises. Recent studies indicate that cannabis may help with RLS as well.

A study[1] performed at the Clinical Neurosciences Centre at Bordeaux University Hospital found medicinal cannabis to alleviate RLS symptoms in a small group of subjects. For the study, six RLS patients were given medical cannabis containing CBD. Five of the six reported that their symptoms entirely disappeared after consuming cannabis. All of the participants in the study reported an improvement in their sleep after their treatment with cannabis ended.

Cannabis Help RLS

In a study on “Sleep, Pain and Cannabis”[2] published in 2015 in the Journal of Sleep Disorders and Therapy, researchers mention the proven abilities of cannabis to relieve pain and promote sleep. In their report, the researchers suggest that cannabis could possibly help with such conditions as sleep apnoea or RLS—conditions that involve sleeping troubles and/or pain. However, the researchers do conclude that more research in this area is needed.

Although medical studies on using cannabis to treat RLS symptoms are sparse, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence among RLS patients that it can certainly make coping with the disorder easier. The word is still out on whether cannabis can directly address the underlying causes of the condition, but its relaxing, pain-relieving, and soothing effects may help patients get to sleep, and perhaps reduce some of their anxiety or depression symptoms too.

WHICH CANNABIS STRAINS ARE BEST FOR RLS?

If you want help with RLS, cannabis strains that have a sedating and/or pain-relieving effect can be best. Look for strains that are high in THC (to promote drowsiness) and/or high in CBD (to reduce anxiety) because such strains can help you achieve a good night’s sleep.

For fast relief, you can just smoke or vape these strains to enjoy their sedative and pain-relieving properties. You can also make them into edibles, oils, or even topical ointments so you have a variety of methods at hand. You can then keep track of which methods work best for you!

We recommend these cannabis strains if you’re seeking relief from RLS:

PURPLE QUEEN 

Purple Queen is a gorgeous indica-dominant Kush variety that can provide you with a deeply relaxing physical stone. Dreamland will not be far away after a few tokes of this one.

Purple Queen

SPECIAL KUSH  #1

Special Kush is another good candidate if you need help with RLS symptoms. This modern variant of an old-school Kush has a hash-like flavour and serious indica dominance (80%). Expect a robust body stone that relaxes the limbs and gently eases you off to sleep.

Special Kush

Special Kush 1
23_genetic background_1 Afghan x Kush
33_Yield indoors_1 425 - 475 gr/m2
31_plant height outdoor_1 60 - 100 cm
25_flowering time_1 7 - 8 weeks
29_THC_1 THC: 17%
28_Type Blend_1 Sativa 20% Indica 80%
34_yield outdoor_1 500 - 550 gr/plant
32_plant height outdoors_1 200 - 270 cm
27_harvest period_1 Late September
22_Effect_1 Heavy, Physically Relaxing, Stoned

Buy Special Kush 1

TREATING RLS WITH CANNABIS—THE TAKEAWAY

Even as we wait for more studies to unveil cannabis’ full potential for treating restless leg syndrome, many patients say it’s worth it to experiment with the herb to find relief. Anecdotal accounts may not be entirely verifiable, but the success stories are certainly growing in number. Hopefully, we can look forward to more research on treating RLS with cannabis in the near future.

External Resources:
  1. Cannabis for restless legs syndrome: a report of six patients - ScienceDirect https://www.sciencedirect.com
  2. Review Article: Sleep, Pain and Cannabis | Semantic Scholar https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: