FR Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating neurological condition that affects about 10 million people worldwide. Despite the fact that it is well-known and extensively studied, there currently is no cure for the incurable disease.
Looking to try something new? Check out this Organic CBD Oil for Parkinson’s Disease.
1 million people in the United States alone suffer from it. Despite a variety of therapies being accessible, there appears to be nothing that provides 100% risk-free relief.
With a specific attention on CBD as a potential therapy for Parkinson’s disease, there has been a lot of study in recent years. But is it true that CBD may be used to treat this serious condition?
In this post, we’ve gathered all you need to know about CBD oil for Parkinson’s disease, including the benefits and drawbacks. Hopefully, the information provided here will assist you in determining whether cannabis extract may be a suitable option for you or a loved one.
What Parkinson’s Disease Is Explained
In 1817, Dr. James Parkinson, a British doctor, first described the disease. Researchers have spent years attempting to discover what causes it and how we might cure it ever since. There is currently no remedy for this terrible condition, but thanks to perseverance and study, we now know a lot more about Parkinson’s than previously understood.
Although a cure has yet to be found, there are several therapies that can help people with Parkinson’s live more comfortably and productive lives. We’ve come a long way since the 1980s, when many doctors thought they had no hope at all.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive illness characterized by the death of nerve cells in the brain. It’s caused by a loss of neurons in the brain. The condition can manifest itself in a variety of ways, and symptoms might differ greatly according to degree.
Some primary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:
- Involuntary shaking (tremors), which usually arise in particular parts of the body, e.g. the hands
- Difficulty moving
- Stiff and inflexible muscles
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Balance issues
- Memory loss
- Sensory issues (loss of smell)
- Insomnia
While we now understand that Parkinson’s disease develops as a result of damage to the brain (particularly loss of nerve cells in the midbrain region called the substantia nigra), there is still disagreement about what causes this cell injury. Some specialists think that the nerve damage is caused by a mix of environmental and hereditary factors, but this issue is yet being investigated.
Parkinson’s Disease: Treatments and Therapies
Levodopa is the most common treatment for Parkinson’s disease. This medication works to stimulate dopamine production in the brain, which is depleted. However, like the others, this medicine has significant potential dangers that deter many patients from using it. For example, as Parkinson’s disease progresses, Levodopa may lose its efficacy and cause symptoms to get worse.
There are more treatment alternatives for patients, such as physiotherapy. This sort of therapy may help with recovering movement abnormalities. Brain surgery is sometimes an option in severe situations.
The best anti-depressants, nonetheless, have yet to be developed or discovered. There is, however, no medication or therapy that does not have any negative effects or side effects. We are talking about these adverse effects and how they can aggravate the problem rather than good.
CBD for Parkinson’s Disease
We are seeing an increase in states that recognize cannabis as a potential therapy for a variety of illnesses, as you know. With the history of marijuana in the United States being ugly, it has taken time and diligence to get to where we are now. At the moment, 33 states allow marijuana for medical purposes, while another 11 permit recreation use.
Is CBD oil for Parkinson’s disease a realistic therapy option?
From studies, we know cannabidiol (the technical name for CBD) has powerful medicinal applications. These characteristics include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotectant properties. The U.S. government has patented these particular features in other research. Furthermore, CBD may assist with the following:
- Diabetes
- AIDS/HIV
- Alzheimer’s
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Crohn’s disease
- Depression
- Anxiety
Is it feasible that CBD oil for Parkinson’s disease may be a viable alternative therapy option, taking these factors into account?
However, science has shown that it may provide a significant benefit. Most states with a medical marijuana program (and/or legislation allowing the use of CBD for medical purposes) have included Parkinson’s disease on their list of qualifying illnesses.
In fact, marijuana has been used to treat Parkinson’s disease since the 19th century, when it was mentioned in the authoritative clinical text “Manual of Disorders of the Nervous System.”
Since then, we’ve seen numerous studies published, as well as anecdotal reports suggesting that cannabis — and particularly CBD – may have a rapid impact on disease.
The Endocannabinoid System and CBD
There is evidence that the endocannabinoid system, or ECS, may be involved in many aspects of Parkinson’s disease.
The endocannabinoid system, which consists of cannabinoid receptors and the cannabinoids that bind to them, is involved in a plethora of bodily processes. It might become ‘out of whack,’ at which point problems generally arise.
In the case of Parkinson’s disease, the ECS’s job is to control cell lifespan. If cellular damage occurs, it has a immediate impact on neurons. The health of these neurons is critical in preventing Parkinson’s disease. It’s well-established that the ECS has significant control over our central nervous system. When the CNS is injured, brain cell death can occur, making it difficult to recover from it.
The ECS has been shown to have a lot of control over our central nervous system. When the CNS is harmed, brain cell loss can occur, making it difficult to recover from.
But how can CBD assist our ECS in combating the nerve cell loss that causes so many of Parkinson’s disease’s severe symptoms?
Neuroprotective and antioxidative properties
CBD’s powerful neuroprotective and antioxidant properties are largely responsible for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. The cannabinoid acts to bind free radicals, which cause oxidative stress, a known precursor to Parkinson’s disease.
In fact, a research published in 2014 by researchers from the Department of Neurology in Tel Aviv, Israel analyzed how cannabis might help Parkinson’s disease patients with a variety of motor and non-motor symptoms. The study included 22 people with Parkinson’s disease who were examined on several clinical features 30 minutes after smoking marijuana. They focused on the following topics:
- Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale.
- Visual Analog Scale.
- Present Pain Intensity Scale.
- Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire.
- Medical Cannabis Survey National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre Questionnaire.
After smoking cannabis, many regions had shown substantial progress, with the mean total motor score on the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale falling from 33.1 to 23.1, according to the research. Tremors and stiffness improved in several other motor symptoms; further, all 22 patients’ pain and sleep scores improved significantly, suggesting that marijuana is a particularly beneficial treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
There are potential downsides as well…
While this is beneficial, there are disadvantages to using cannabis to cure a sickness. The dangers of smoking and the unavoidable psychotropic component are important drawbacks for many patients. It’s due to these reasons that CBD has taken the place of marijuana as a whole as a medical therapy. It delivers many (if not all) of the health advantages of whole-plant cannabis without creating any of the associated intoxication.
A study published in 2009 by the Department of Neuropsychiatry and Medical Psychology showed that CBD may aid in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease symptoms, including motor problems, as well as psychosis onset.
An analysis of six outpatients with Parkinson’s disease who had been experiencing psychosis for a minimum of three months was conducted. All six patients were given an oral dose of CBD. 150 mg per day for four weeks was followed by a reduction to 100 mg per day for another four weeks while they continued their usual therapy.
After four weeks, the participants were assessed for signs of mental illness. The amount of pain was significantly reduced. All six patients’ overall ratings improved and had no negative consequences. CBD did not have a detrimental impact on the individuals’ motor skills in any way.
There are several anecdotal testimonies of individuals whose lives were changed by CBD, in addition to the scientific evidence. Although it is not certain that all patients will see similar results, the majority of CBD oil users seem to benefit from it.
Furthermore, CBD has been discovered to have significant therapeutic effects for those suffering from sleeplessness, depression, and anxiety – all of which are symptoms of Parkinson’s.
Final Thoughts
We are not medical practitioners and, as such, we are not qualified to provide medical advise regarding the use of CBD oil for Parkinson’s disease – or any other illness. Because CBD is not yet a licensed medication for Parkinson’s disease, we recommend you contact your doctor if at all possible about using any type of new therapy. Anyone considering switching or stopping a current therapy should first talk to their doctor.
However, there is a lot of research and first-hand accounts of CBD oil being used to help cure Parkinson’s disease. While some reviews are mixed, the general consensus appears to be one of approval. Here’s hoping for a cure in the near future!
