Medical Marijuana for Parkinson's Disease
If you or a loved one is struggling with Parkinson’s Disease, you should know that medical marijuana may be available for treating symptoms of this condition. Schedule an appointment with us at 888-316-9085 to start your evaluation process!
Parkinson's Disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects the nervous system.
Symptoms develop over time and get worse as the condition advances. While Parkinson’s is typically more common in men, the disease can affect women as well. The symptoms, the severity, and the rate of advancement can differ from person to person.
As medical marijuana continues to be an effective treatment option for many diseases, several studies are underway to help prove its efficacy in treating disorders that currently have no cure. An example is Parkinson’s disease, an extremely challenging condition that causes a patient to lose their independence entirely. Below you will find an overview of the disease, common symptoms, and will come to know how cannabis treatment for Parkinson’s Disease has proven to be an effective treatment option.
Patients living with Parkinson’s Disease are eligible for treatment with medical marijuana in Pennsylvania. Compassionate Certification Centers is here to help!
Notable Statistics
- The Parkinson’s Foundation states that as of 2020, around 10 million people in the world are living with Parkinson’s disease
- Around 1 million people in the United States have Parkinson’s Disease and around 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with the disease every year
- Though the disease occurs in older people, around 4 out of 100 patients received their diagnosis before the age of 50
- The chance of men having the disease is 1.5 times more likely than women
- A study Prevalence of Parkinson’s Disease Across North America states that around 1.2 million people in the United States may have Parkinson’s disease by 2030
Causes of Parkinson’s Disease
Most most common causes of Parkinson’s Disease stem from nerve degeneration, hereditary factors, and other external triggers. See below for more information:
- Nerve Degeneration: When the nerve cells or neurons in substantia nigra, a section of the brain, die or gets impaired, Parkinson’s disease occurs. It is these neurons that produce dopamine, a chemical that transmits signals which in turn helps in the body movements. That is the reason, patients with Parkinson’s lose balance and mobility as the disease advances
- Genes: Genetic mutations too can be a cause
- External Triggers: Exposure to foreign toxins may put a person at risk
Diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease
It’s difficult to detect Parkinson’s Disease in its early stages as the symptoms may not be very prominent. Even if a patient experiences light tremors or shaking, it is commonly diagnosed as fatigue. Currently, there is no single test to diagnose Parkinson’s disease, but many doctors suggest imaging tests to help get more clarity on the person’s symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Below is a list of the most common symptoms of patients with Parkinson’s Disease:
- Tremors (trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head)
- Difficulties in movement
- Stiffness of the muscles, limbs, and trunk
- Impaired balance and coordination
- Depression and other emotional changes
- Hallucinations
- Sleeping dysfunctions
- Difficulty swallowing, chewing, and speaking
- Urinary problems or constipation problem
Qualifying Conditions of Parkinson’s Disease
- Dementia
- Hemiparkinsonism
- Idiopathic Parkinsonism or Parkinson’s disease
- Lewy Body Dementia
- Paralysis Agitans
- Primary Parkinsonism or Parkinson’s Disease
Benefits of Marijuana Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease
Currently, patients are given medication to suppress their symptoms but these medicines may have side effects and cause additional health issues. And while there is no cure for Parkinson’s Disease, researchers are looking at other options which may help alleviate symptoms with fewer side effects. One of the more effective treatment options is marijuana for Parkinson’s Disease.
A study published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine found that cannabis was effective in older patients and helped alleviate their symptoms. After six months of marijuana treatment, around 94% of patients reported improvement while around 18% could either reduce or discontinue pain medications.
The endocannabinoid system of the brain consists of cannabinoid receptors which are connected to neurons, which plays important roles in cognitive and bodily functions. Some studies found that certain chemicals in the marijuana plant had the ability to mimic these natural chemicals in the brain.
Medical marijuana consists of more than 100 neuroactive chemicals. These compounds work with cannabinoid receptors situated in the brain. THC or Delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol isolated from marijuana plant has mind-altering effects. So, there is a general assumption that cannabis can help improve tremors and movement disorders. There are also some clinical trials which prove the efficacy of Parkinson’s treatment cannabis, but more constructive studies have to come to the fore.
Overall, based on different studies at different times, patients using cannabis benefited in many ways such as:
- Fewer tremors and less muscle rigidity
- Reduced pain
- Improvement in bodily movements and posture
- Positive effects on mood, fatigue and memory
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card for Parkinson’s Disease
Due to the seriousness of the disease, many states have legalized the use of medical marijuana for Parkinson’s Disease. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to get your medical marijuana card:
- Register over the phone or online
- Talk to a medical marijuana doctor
- Get your medical marijuana card
Compassionate Certification Centers is here to provide you with the support, care, and guidance you need to get certified for a medical marijuana card. Schedule an appointment with us at 888-316-9085 to start your evaluation process!
