Suppression of pendular nystagmus by smoking cannabis in a patient with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

To the Editor: I read with interest the article by Schon et al.1 In the early 1960s, I observed an individual with congenital nystagmus whose nystagmus damped after smoking cannabis; the damping was obvious and it was evident to others. Unfortunately, the setting precluded ocular motor recording and the date preceded the development of accurate techniques to accomplish such recording. However, the subject was able to read small print on a poster across the room on the wall opposite to where he was seated, which was not possible before smoking the cannabis. Over the ensuing years, that observation has been supported by unsolicited, first-hand reports of similar effects by several patients with congenital nystagmus referred to our …