Parkinson’s and Cannabis

Parkinson’s and Cannabis

Parkinson’s is a severe condition that is sometimes difficult to treat. This makes people start to look for alternative treatments. Cannabis is considered an excellent treatment for different symptoms. But does it help Parkinson’s?

This article provides an overview of Parkinson’s disease and its relationship to marijuana.

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What is P.D.?

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system, which can eventually affect movement, speaking, and writing. The symptoms usually begin gradually and typically include very light hand tremors or stiffness. Another prevalent sign of Parkinson’s includes bradykinesia, which means muscle stiffness and difficulties in moving. The symptoms of Parkinson’s are mostly related to movement disorders, and these symptoms are rooted in neurology. Other symptoms include cerebral palsy and Tourette syndrome.

The U.S. has an estimated one million adults who have Parkinson’s, tremors, slowed movement, and depression. When Parkinson’s starts affecting older patients, they usually give up on treatment because they believe it’s just part of the aging process.

Parkinson’s disease has a strong relationship with low dopamine levels in specific areas of the brain. People with P.D. suffer from dying dopamine cells, and when this usually happens, it’s become challenging to control bodily movements and do activities.

P.D. doesn’t lead to direct death in people who have it, but it currently has no cure, and it does get worse over time. Since it has no cure, there is a lot of research on how to ease some of its symptoms. And that’s why marijuana is tipped to be a viable treatment.

Does Marijuana Help Parkinson’s?

Parkinson’s is the second prevalent neurological disorder among people in the U.S., and that’s why there’s a lot of research on how to get treatment. Marijuana and Parkinson’s may have a beneficial relationship in several ways.

Marijuana is both anti-inflammatory and antioxidative, and scientists believe this stop may cause neuron damage. This can help Parkinson’s patients because inflammation can cause damage to brain neurons that produce dopamine, which facilitates the symptoms of Parkinson’s. If marijuana slows neuron damage in the brain, then it could also stop the effects of Parkinson’s.

Marijuana can also be beneficial for treating Parkinson’s in several ways, including pain management, sleep problems, and nausea. Marijuana may facilitate movement in people with Parkinson’s because it has muscle relaxing properties as well.

Despite the advantages of marijuana and Parkinson’s, there are also risks involved. Marijuana can have the potential to reduce dopamine levels in the brain, which is detrimental. Other disadvantages with marijuana and Parkinson’s include mood and behavioral changes, instability, and the possibility of lung cancer that comes from excess marijuana use.

Due to these adverse effects that come from marijuana and P.D., researchers are probably looking for alternate means to link marijuana and Parkinson’s. One method is to use CBD, which is a non- psychoactive compound found in the marijuana plant. CBD several medicinal benefits, but it doesn’t make users high. CBD can be used in the form of oil and is available in different ways, including in food products, teas, and extracts.