Skip to content

An Alternative Treatment for Parkinson’s Patients

An Alternative Treatment for Parkinson’s Patients

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and an opportune time to highlight the disease and how medical marijuana may be a beneficial treatment option for those living with the condition. Many Parkinson’s patients find themselves desperate for alternative treatment options that provide sufficient relief of their symptoms and help avoid or postpone the need for surgery down the road.

Understanding Parkinson’s

“Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominantly dopamine-producing (“dopaminergic”) neurons in a specific area of the brain called the substantia nigra.” (parkinson.org). Symptoms of PD usually form over many years and the progression can vary from person to person. Some patients with PD may experience one or all of the following:

  • Tremors, mainly when resting
  • Bradykinesia, slow movements
  • Limb rigidity, stiffness of the arms or legs beyond general aging or arthritis
  • Gait and balance problems

In early signs of PD, patients may experience little to no expression on one side of the face, limited arm movement or soft or slurred speech. Overtime, the symptoms of Parkinson’s will increase. (mayoclinic.org) When diagnosing a patient with Parkinson’s, physicians will look at the patient’s medical history, review their signs and symptoms and conduct neurological and physical exams.  

Current Treatments of Parkinson’s

Unfortunately, the cause of PD remains unknown with no known cure. However, medications and surgery do help reduce the symptoms. Parkinson’s may not directly cause death in patients, but complications from the disease can be very serious. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rated complications from PD as the 14th cause of death in the United States.” (parkinson.org).

In addition to medications and possible surgeries, physicians may suggest various lifestyle changes for their patients to help improve quality of life. “In some cases, physical therapy that focuses on balance and stretching is also important. A speech-language pathologist may help improve speech problems.” (mayoclinic.org)

Treating with Medical Cannabis

Although the medications that physicians prescribe to their patients can be helpful, there still seems to be a gap in the efficacy of these medications. Patients with PD are often eager to find alternative methods to help subdue their symptoms, which leads many to look into the therapeutic capabilities of medical marijuana.

“Our bodies make natural cannabinoids that control sleep, appetite, mood and other processes by binding to receptors throughout the body and brain. These receptors are found in particularly high numbers in the basal ganglia, a circuit of brain cells that controls movement and is affected in Parkinson’s. Because the cannabinoids in marijuana bind to the receptors in our body and brain, researchers have looked at whether they could bind to basal ganglia and other receptors to modify the course of PD or help ease symptoms of disease.” – michealjfox.org

Despite the constant struggle to get medical marijuana into clinical trials, a handful have been conducted based on the effects medical cannabis has on decreasing motor/non-motor symptoms and levodopa-induced dyskinesia (involuntary movements that may result with long-term use of levodopa and many years of living with PD). Unfortunately, due to strict federal restrictions, there is insufficient evidence to definitively say that medical marijuana and cannabinoids are an effective treatment for Parkinson’s. However, it’s recognized that there could be substantial benefit to introducing the plant into a PD patient’s treatment plan if they’re the right fit.

Interested in treating your patients with medical marijuana, but worried you don’t currently have enough credible data to do so? Join Arfinn Med for FREE to get real medical marijuana treatment efficacies, discuss treatment options with other licensed physicians and stay up-to-date on all of the latest industry findings.

Sources: https://www.parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/What-is-Parkinsons/Young-Onset-Parkinsons

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376062
https://www.apdaparkinson.org/article/medical-marijuana-and-parkinsons-disease/https://www.michaeljfox.org/foundation/news-detail.php?ask-the-md-medical-marijuana-and-parkinson-disease-a

Stories you may be interested in

New Feature: Calendar Integration

At Arfinn Med, we’re excited to announce the third feature update to join automated text messaging and note templating: calendar integration. With this addition, physicians can now integrate their Google Calendar or Calendy account. The implementation of calendar integration rounds out the Arfinn Med portal, making it a physician’s one-stop-shop EMR tool. How It Works…
Read More

How Medical Marijuana Affects Men vs. Women

As expected, men and women differ in a multitude of ways, from genetic makeup and hormonal behavior to how we process information and emotionally respond. The differences in our makeup are the exact reason why any medical treatment, including medical marijuana, will have a diverse impact on men vs. women. Let’s take a closer look…
Read More

The Lack of Clinical Trials in the Medical Marijuana Industry

As time goes on, medical marijuana is starting to break barriers in various states across the country. Out of the 50 states, 33 have approved a comprehensive medical marijuana program (NCSL). Currently, marijuana, medical or recreational, is illegal at the federal level, despite legalization in various states. Many medical professionals are interested in prescribing medical…
Read More

Norfolk research company plans clinical trials using medical marijuana

Eighteen months after receiving a broad federal license for importing medical cannabis, a Norfolk research company is about to embark on a series of critical studies into a variety of medical and mental disorders, diseases and conditions. Sanyal Biotechnology is already considering proposals for research campuses and planning its first clinical trial for this summer.…
Read More

Study on cannabis chemical as a treatment for pancreatic cancer may have ‘major impact,’ Harvard researcher says

Pancreatic cancer makes up just 3 percent of all cancers in America. But with a one-year survival rate of just 20 percent (and five-year survival rate of less than 8), it’s predicted to be the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2020. Headlines about the illness, as a result, tend to be discouraging. But this month scientists from Harvard University’s Dana-Farber…
Read More

Doctors and patients are flying blind as medical marijuana use rises, research lags

Marijuana’s role in the health care universe has grown exponentially over the past few years. Currently, 33 U.S. states have legalized the use of medical marijuana, and more and more states are considering making it legal for recreational purposes as well. As cannabis becomes more accessible, many people are turning to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) products to…
Read More

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.