Cannabis For Parkinson’s Disease? What The Latest Studies Say
Parkinson’s Disease is a neurological disorder that affects the part of the brain responsible for different kinds of movement. It’s a progressive brain disorder which occurs when braincells, particularly those involved in producing dopamine, which is responsible for controlling movement, begin to die off.
As the brain suffers from a reduction in dopamine, it becomes much more difficult for the brain to send signals to the muscles.
It’s characterized by stiffness, extremely slow movement, tremors, writing and speech changes, and balance problems. Patients of Parkinson’s Disease can also suffer from other symptoms such as digestion and sleep problems, memory issues, and mood disorders.
Parkinson’s doesn’t develop overnight. Because it’s progressive in nature, the symptoms develop and can become more severe over time. Without proper medication and treatment, the condition can spread to, and affect major organs and functions including the lungs, mouth, eyes, skin, and result in an overall systemic issue that dramatically robs one’s quality of life.
While there are many modern treatments that can help patients manage the disease and somewhat slow down its progression, few have been able to work as effectively as cannabis – naturally.
One must take note that there is no cure for Parkinson’s Disease – cannabis, and pharmaceutical drugs, can help by mitigating and managing symptoms.
CBD or THC for Parkinson’s Disease?
Most studies of cannabis and Parkinson’s Disease focus on the use of non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD), which is hailed for its excellent anti-inflammatory properties as well as neuroprotective qualities. It has been found to be effective in calming down tremors caused by this condition, as well as reducing sleep problems.
Since CBD doesn’t get patients high, and most Parkinson’s patients are already suffering from mental and physical ailments in addition to being older, CBD may be more beneficial compared to THC. However, THC also touts numerous valuable benefits for Parkinson’s patients as well, for as long as they can tolerate its effects.
That said, don’t underestimate the benefits of other compounds in weed such as terpenes. CBD strains that also contain beta-caryophyllene, myrcene, and linalool can help tremendously in relaxing the muscles – and the mind.
How Cannabis Helps: The Latest Research
Improves Quality of Life
In a recent study conducted by French researchers in Marseille, they sought to understand how cannabis reduces the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease among a group of 1,136 patients with a median age of 68. The investigators also wanted to understand how, if any, marijuana improved their quality of life. Currently, CBD products are legally available in France.
According to the participants who consumed weed, more than half said that cannabis contributed to an improved quality of life. A majority also said that marijuana use was helpful in reducing rigidity and pain, while contributing to better sleep. Meanwhile, around 40% of them said that it helped reduce the frequency of tremors.
“Both cannabis and CBD users reported high effectiveness levels for sleep disorders, pain, and rigidity/cramps, as well as high overall levels of satisfaction with the substances,” concluded the authors. “An enhanced communication with healthcare providers and facilitated access to safe products are needed in France so that people with PD can maximize the benefits of cannabinoids when clinically appropriate,” the researchers said.
Effective Symptom Relief
Countless patients of Parkinson’s Disease rely on cannabis to help them manage their symptoms effectively and without any side effects. In 2020, German researchers conducted a survey among the German Parkinsons Association, and more than 1,300 patients participated. At the time, it was considered to be the largest study to analyze the perceptions of Parkinson’s Disease patients on marijuana use.
According to the results, less than 9% of respondents reported that they used CBD or THC products to manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Meanwhile, 54% acknowledged experiencing clinical benefits because of cannabis.
They were more likely to report that cannabis products were effective in treating stiffness, pain, depression, and sleep problems. Interestingly, THC use was more common among patients compared to cannabis products containing only CBD.
“Our study offers insights into the PD community’s perception of MC [medical cannabis] and shows that cannabis is applied in almost 10 percent of patients against motor and non-motor symptoms. Results suggest that MC might be helpful for selected PD patients with insufficient symptom relief despite their usual anti-parkinsonian medication,” the authors said.
Cannabis vs. Conventional Medications
There are several existing conventional pharmaceutical medications for Parkinson’s Disease, but many of them often have unwanted side effects. They can leave patients feeling even more debilitated than they were to begin with.
For example, Sinemet is a common PD medication. Also known as Levodopa, this medication is dopamine’s precursor, and thus converts to dopamine when consumed. Common side effects include low blood pressure, nausea, hallucinations, dizziness, and dyskinesia. Most patients are prescribed a different combination of drugs depending on their age, overall health, and the severity of the condition but cannabis is still the most natural and gentle, yet effective, of all these medications.
Conclusion
If you or a loved one are interested in trying cannabis for Parkinson’s Disease, let your healthcare provider know.
CBD and THC can both treat an array of symptoms in a quicker, more efficient manner. These cannabinoids also contain powerful neuroprotective qualities that may even help slow down the progression of Parkinson’s Disease. As cannabis can offer multi-symptom relief and less side effects, it’s easy to see why more patients find it the appealing option. Regardless, it should still be used under medical supervision especially for patients who are already taking other medications.
PARKINSON'S AND WEED, READ ON...
