CBD has taken the world by storm and has proven to help address various issues that humans face. As a result, it is not surprising that people might want to know the effect of CBD on Parkinson’s Disease.
Indeed, cannabis has proven beneficial in alleviating common medical conditions such as inflammation, severe pain, anxiety, epilepsy, bowel disorder, and Parkinson’s disease. The plant’s legalization has created chances for researchers to explore the full potential the plant has to offer, and some clinical trials are showing positive results.
The Parkinson’s Foundation made a Consensus Statement on the effect of medical cannabis on the disease in 2020. The state advised users to be careful about adverse impacts since trials are still on the medication. Medical cannabis is a compound of the hemp plant, such as THC and CBD. Currently, only one CBD-based drug has been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration to be used by patients with seizure conditions. The effect on seizures has attracted more attention to its impact on Parkinson’s.
What is CBD?
CBD is a natural compound that can be extracted from the cannabis plant. CBD products can alleviate pain, inflammation, and other medical conditions. Unlike its cousin THC, CBD doesn’t make you feel high. However, THC also holds numerous therapeutic benefits and is available in different forms, including THC pen, capsules, and gummies.
Further research suggests that the compound is suitable for improving Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms in patients and can be consumed in various ways.
Evidence Of CBD For Parkinson’s Disease
Many countries amended some regulations in 2015 to open chances for the exploration of CBD. Studies have been made to observe the reaction of CBD to Parkinson’s disease symptoms. The good news is that there is some light and positivity on using CBD for Parkinson’s Disease. Here are some research indicating this:
- According to a survey, it revealed that some patients had relieved various motor and nonmotor symptoms related to Parkinson’s disease when they used cannabis.
- Six patients with psychosis underwent clinical trials, and CBD alleviated the symptoms based on research.
- Another trial was conducted on four REM patients with a sleeping disorder, and CBD alleviated the symptoms.
- A further trial was carried out on 21 patients with Parkinson’s disease, and the results showed improvement in patients’ life through motor scores. However, these trials were performed on a double-blinded procedure.
Plus, new trials have been further conducted on CBD and Parkinson’s disease:
- An open-label trial was conducted on 13 persons to find the tolerability and efficacy of CBD-infused products on Parkinson’s Disease. Although the test has been concluded, the results are yet to be published.
- FDA has recently approved a medication for childhood epilepsies known as Epidiolex. The medication is formulated with CBD and tested on ten patients resulting in quality sleep, emotional control, and motor score.
- There was another double-blinded research on 60 persons to understand how CBD manages motor symptoms of PD, unlike placebo. The trial is still ongoing, but positive outcomes are near.
CBD And Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms
CBD is already infused into PD patients’ medication to help reduce anxiety, pain, tremor, insomnia, and dystonia symptoms. Since the trial is not yet certified, people do not know the safe and practical side of a symptom. Moreover, the dosages of CBD products required for a particular symptom are yet to be understood.
The side effects of CBD on Parkinson’s disease patients are not yet noticeable. Many Parkinson’s disease patients with non-motor symptoms can be prone to the mild adverse effect of CBD products. However, there is evidence that CBD might preserve the Memory and various neurological functions affected by this disease.
Parkinson’s Disease affects the brain, reducing its ability to perform optimally. The sufferer might not be able to live a balanced or fulfilled life. Many times, the senior is usually a shadow of themselves, often relying on others.
Good News is that there are ongoing studies on how CBD can help seniors with this disorder. Even with this, a series of studies have revealed that CBD is primal to preserving and restoring various neurological functions that might be lost to Parkinson’s disease.
In summary, you need to talk to your doctor if you intend to start using CBD products for your PD symptoms. Your doctor may take charge of administering the doses and advise if the compound is risky to your health. Also, your doctor will ensure mixing drugs appropriately to avoid drug interaction with CBD. The doctor is also best positioned to discuss the side effects and benefits.
Summary
Cannabis is recently trending because of its benefits to certain medical conditions, especially in psychiatry and neurology. According to many studies, people with Parkinson’s disease on CBD medication have shown significant improvement. The medication is also effective for Alzheimer’s and MS patients.
However, more studies are ongoing to determine the efficacy of CBD alone or whether the compound should be mixed with THC, linalool, or limonene extracts to work effectively on conditions such as neuroprotection. Finally, CBD has no psychoactive properties like THC, making you high. Thus, the compound should be taken with caution. However, more investment and trials must be performed to understand the benefits of CBD-infused products on PD fully.