Parkinson’s is a condition that’s degenerative along the nervous system. When cannabis affects these systems, scientists start to look into alternatives to reducing Parkinson’s symptoms. Here, we’ll discuss the research that surrounds cannabis and Parkinson’s. 

First, what is Parkinson’s

This is a disease that’s degenerative, and quite debilitating. It affects about every 1 in 500 individuals, where the symptoms do get worse as time goes one, and it can make tasks including talking and walking super difficult. It can actually be something that affects both genders, with age being a major risk factor, with most dealing with this when they’re at least 60 years old. 

While currently, there isn’t a cure, with the different therapies and treatments, there are some that work decently, others are more of a placebo. However, cannabis may be the best option for Parkinson’s treatment for a variety of reasons. 

Why Cannabis 

While there isn’t a ton of evidence to show that this is one of the best therapies to slow down or even reverse PD, some with the condition have had experiences which are positive just from cannabis. With the ultimate goal being management of the symptoms, reducing pain and stress, and improving your life quality, it makes sense that cannabis can help. 

This, partnered with other therapies that work together such as yoga, speech and occupational therapies, meditation, acupuncture, and qigong and reiki all work together to offer a lot better results, and benefits that traditional medicine may not otherwise offer. 

The thing with this, is that it’s something that can affect the CNS, and cannabis itself does help with the peripheral nervous system experiences, so it can help mostly with the management of the symptoms, rather than of course, fully mitigating the effects of PD on a person. 

Cannabis and the body 

Cannabis is something that can be explored quite greatly. Your ECS for example, which is a regulatory system that utilizes the cannabinoid receptors, different neurotransmitters, and other effects, can impact the CNS and the PNS, along other areas. 

The ECS is something with various processes, such as memory, mood, sleep, appetite, and the dysregulation of this is something that can play a role not just in Parkinson’s, but also other neurodegenerative conditions. 

Cannabis does activate these receptors, altering the activity within the body, and also influencing different aspects of this, and the interaction of this can have both direct and indirect effects. 

There is some research that was done with this, along with the potential for these cannabinoids to play a part. Let’s start with a study from 2017. This one had participants look at the effects that medical cannabis has on the symptoms related to Parkinson’s, along with other effects which are adverse, done over a period of about three or so months. All of the data was collected subjectively, so it’s not full evidence of a correlation, but the participants did see some improvements, and many of them noticed that it’s a lot “safer” than other drugs. 

In a review from 2020, it was found that cannabis was an effective alternative to the treatment of Parkinson’s, specifically the factors which “hamper” the use of this. This is of course, based upon 14 different studies, and there wasn’t a ton of evidence, but might work in the future.