CBD and Parkinson's disease
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and slowly progressive disease that affects the central nervous system, causing movement and speech disorders. The disease is difficult to diagnose in the early stages, but there are common symptoms that may indicate its presence in the body: altered handwriting; changes in olfactory perception; sleep cycle disorders; abdominal distention; depression; body tremor; stiffness and slow movements; voice and speech.
In most cases, physical symptoms do not manifest until the disease has developed. These physical symptoms can be the most difficult to deal with, making it almost impossible to perform the most basic daily tasks.
Because Parkinson’s disease is both chronic and progressive, these movement disorders can be long-lasting, and may progressively worsen over time.
Although it usually occurs after the age of 50, about one in ten Parkinson’s patients is diagnosed at a younger age.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease tend to differ between people and fall into one of two categories of symptoms: motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms.
It is precisely the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s that usually make these typical daily movements difficult: tremors, stiff or rigid muscles, difficulty walking, slowing of the movement (also known as bradykinesia), and postural instability. Another motor symptom that Parkinson’s disease patients tend to notice is a change in their voice. Changes in volume are characteristic of the early stages, whereas rapid speaking, squealing and stuttering are more common in the advanced stages of the disease.
Parkinson’s symptoms, which are not motor-related and are therefore sometimes omitted, include: decreased sense of smell; problems with sleep; depression and anxiety; psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions; fatigue; weight loss; excessive sweating; difficulty in multiple tasks; difficult time planning; constipation; increased urination; headache; decreased libido; less blinking and dry eyes.
For those looking for an alternative to standard prescription drugs and a way to effectively alleviate the effects of Parkinson’s disease, CBD oil can be a great alternative.
What are the benefits of using CBD oil in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease?
There are many potential benefits of using CBD oil to treat Parkinson’s disease and its symptoms. Research has shown that CBD can help relieve anxiety, relieve pain and provide neuroprotective properties.
The loss of physical control associated with Parkinson’s progression is associated with a decrease in the levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine available in the brain. Medications for balancing this level of dopamine are most often prescribed, though very useful, with a number of side effects, some of which can be as devastating as Parkinson’s, including dizziness; memory impairment/confusion; diarrhea; twitching; repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms or legs; anxiety; sleep disorders, weakness and fatigue; muscle stiffness, etc.
CBD oil can help manage some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s without causing such side effects, although research on the subject is still in the early stages.
Effectiveness of CBD oil in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
CBD is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in the Cannabis plant. CBD oil acts on the body’s endocannabinoid system to produce a wide range of potential beneficial effects. Some studies suggest that CBD can have a positive effect, especially when it comes to non-motor symptoms such as depression, anxiety and sleep disorders.
By indirectly affecting cannabinoid receptors, CBD can help the body make better use of endocannabinoids in the body.
Here are some ways in which CBD oil can effectively help with the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease.
CBD oil for inflammation.
Most importantly, CBD acts on the CB2 receptors found throughout the central nervous system. It is the CB2 receptors that regulate pain and inflammation, and studies have found that most human diseases are associated with some alteration in the CB2 receptor function.
One study examining the effects of neuroinflammation on degenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, found a link between inflammation and neuronal death that releases dopamine. As dopaminergic neurons continue to die, inflammation in the brain increases, creating a self-sustaining process that creates the perfect environment for Parkinson’s progression.
Although studies on the use of CBD oil to reduce neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s patients are limited, there have been sufficient conclusive studies and clinical trials testing CBD oil as an effective anti-inflammatory agent. If cannabidiol is able to reduce inflammation in the brains of Parkinson’s patients, it could stop a degenerative cycle that repeats the death of dopamine-producing neurons.
CBD oil for muscle control and anti-shaking.
Loss of muscle control is often the most worrying and complicated symptom of Parkinson’s disease.
Dopamine is the main signal for the start of a movement, the transmission of information between the brain and the body. Parkinson’s kills dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain, resulting in a 60-80% dopamine deficiency. That’s why many scientists believe that dopamine reduction in particular leads to a reduction in body movement control.
A recent study revealed that CBD can act as an inverse agonist with the G-linked protein receptor known as GPR6. A decrease in GPR6 leads to a decrease in dopamine levels. By acting on this receptor, CBD can increase the amount of dopamine in the brain, allowing more muscle control and potentially reducing Parkinson’s-related tremor.
CBD oil for pain.
A small study of dozens of people with Parkinson’s found that cannabis helped with pain.
CBD oil against psychoses.
Psychosis is a complication of Parkinson’s disease. It can cause hallucinations, delusions and delirium. More common for people in the later stages of the disease.
In fact, up to 50 percent of people develop this complication.
CBD oil for sleep cycle improvement.
Sleep disorders and lack of quality sleep are a major concern for people with Parkinson’s disease. Sleep CBD oil inhibits the progression of the disease may be disturbed by vivid dreams or nightmares, as well as movement during sleep.
Studies have shown that both Cannabis and CBD alone can help with sleep disorders.
CBD oil to improve overall quality of life.
Because of the many potential benefits of CBD for people with Parkinson’s disease, researchers are confident that using it could help improve the overall quality of life.
In a study on the neuroprotective properties of CBD in Parkinson’s disease, the researchers found that the antioxidant properties of CBD can help delay the progression of the disease.
Choice of CBD oil intake.
There are many different ways to use of CBD, and the type you choose will depend on your specific needs, personal preferences and lifestyle.
If you plan to use CBD oil in your daily diet to relieve Parkinson’s symptoms, the easiest way is to use capsules and oil tinctures. In particular, the capsules are easy to dose and use, providing the same dose of CBD with each use. However, it is important to note that their effects may be slower. This type of intake has to go through the digestive system. Usually, it can take up to an hour for the effects to work.
Faster effects and easier dose control are with CBD oil drops and CBD vape oils. Both of these formats bypass the digestive system and act almost immediately. Using a CBD vape will give you the fastest effect, but not for long.
CBD oil drops and infusions will not produce the same effect as CBD vape, but their benefits are usually longer lasting than vaped cannabidiol (CBD).
Cream, lotion, or massage oil with CBD can reduce the pain associated with Parkinson’s.
Depending on the progression of Parkinson’s, some of these formats may be easier to use than others. It is important to consider the well-being and mobility of the Parkinson’s patients when deciding on the most appropriate admission. For example, if the disease has progressed to a point where fine motor abilities are significantly reduced, the CBD transdermal patch, which you simply apply to the skin and change every few days, may be the most realistic option, if available in your country.
With so many options available, it may be necessary to try several methods before finding the most effective and comfortable one.
CBD oil doses for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
Unfortunately, there is not a single dose of CBD oil that is effective in treating Parkinson’s disease. Because people are not exactly the same, what works for one person may not work for another. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is advisable to start with the lowest recommended dose listed on your CBD product and adjust it up or down as needed.
Possible side effects and risks of CBD.
CBD is well tolerated in most studies. It rarely causes side effects, and those that do occur tend to be mild. These include fatigue, changes in appetite and diarrhea or nausea.
The information on the internet about CBD products and their use will be ambiguous, so we always recommend reading safe and reliable sources. We also use websites related to the Cannabis industry, research and education to prepare information.
The content of this site is for informational purposes only. We are not medical experts and this should not be interpreted as medical advice. Be sure to consult your doctor before undergoing CBD or other treatment.
The chemistry of every human body and brain is unique, so the use of CBD to improve mental as well as physical health does not guarantee results. However, many GWEEPRODUCTS CBD oil users have included it into their daily routine as one of the therapies for improving mental, physical health and quality of life.
Photo from Unsplash.