Per:
- Motor Symptom Relief: Some research has shown that cannabis use in Parkinson’s patients can lead to an improvement in motor symptoms such as stiffness, tremors and slow movement. The compounds found in cannabis, particularly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can have a relaxing and muscle-relaxing effect.
[*]Improved Quality of Life: Some patients report an improved quality of life, including better sleep, reduced pain, and a reduction in depression and anxiety after using cannabis.
[*]Neuroprotective Effects: There is evidence that cannabinoids, such as THC and cannabidiol (CBD), may have neuroprotective effects, meaning they could potentially slow or inhibit the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. This could potentially slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
Cons:
Various side effects can occur when using cannabis to treat Parkinson’s disease.
- Cognitive Impairment: Cannabis can cause temporary cognitive impairments such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating and slow thinking. These side effects can occur especially with higher THC concentrations.
[*]Dizziness and Lightheadedness: Cannabis can cause dizziness and lightheadedness, especially when the dosage is high or the patient is sensitive to it. This can affect balance and coordination and increase the risk of falling.
[*]Dry mouth: Cannabis can cause dry mouth because it can decrease saliva production. This can be uncomfortable and increase the risk of tooth decay or other oral problems.
[*]Drop in blood pressure: Cannabis can cause a temporary drop in blood pressure, especially when a higher dose is used. In Parkinson’s patients who are already struggling with low blood pressure, this can cause dizziness or fainting.
[*]Mental Side Effects: In some individuals, cannabis can cause mental side effects, such as anxiety, paranoia, or mood changes. People with a history of mental illness should be especially cautious.
Parkinson’s patients who wish to use cannabis should only do so in consultation with their doctor. The doctor can provide information about possible side effects, assess individual tolerability and adjust the dosage if necessary. It’s also important to note that the type of cannabis used (e.g. strain, THC and CBD levels) can affect the likelihood and severity of side effects.
The study situation:
There are numerous studies going on around the world examining the effects of cannabis on Parkinson’s disease.
These cited studies serve as examples only and do not represent the entire body of research on the subject.
We will therefore regularly examine the current study situation in the Parkinson Journal.
The above benefits of cannabis are mainly based on 3 studies:
- Relief of motor symptoms: A randomized, placebo-controlled study titled “Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Movement Disorders” was published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology in 2007. The authors concluded that cannabinoids (including THC) may improve motor symptoms in some Parkinson’s patients, but more research is needed.
[*]Improving Quality of Life: A study titled “Cannabis for the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease” was published in the journal Neurotherapeutics in 2020. The authors reported that some patients using cannabis to treat Parkinson’s reported an improved quality of life, including better sleep and reduced pain perception.
[*]Neuroprotective effects: A review of studies on “Cannabinoids in Parkinson’s Disease” was published in the Journal of Neurochemistry in 2017. The authors concluded that preclinical studies provide promising evidence for a possible neuroprotective effect of cannabinoids in Parkinson’s disease, but further investigation is needed.
Here are some links that provide more information about the effects and side effects of cannabis in Parkinson’s patients:
- Parkinson’s Foundation: Cannabis and Parkinson’s Disease: https://www.parkinson.org/…
- Medical News Today: Parkinson’s disease and cannabis: What is the evidence? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319622
- European Journal of Pain: Cannabinoids for the treatment of movement disorders: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30129257/
A qualified search query on Google yields 384,000 hits. As always with Google, it is difficult, especially for the layperson, to assess the seriousness.
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