Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in cannabis that, unlike THC, does not produce psychoactive effects. A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that CBD may have health benefits, especially in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Indeed, many symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as tremors, muscle stiffness, and behavioral changes, can be relieved by CBD. Additionally, CBD also appears to have neuroprotective effects, which means it could help slow the progression of the disease.
What is parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease is a disease that inevitably affects the brain. It is neurodegenerative, which means that the disease slowly but progressively destroys brain cells.
Because the affected area of the brain is closely linked to motor control, patients with Parkinson's disease often experience tremors, loss of balance, muscle stiffness, sleep problems, and slow or uncontrollable limb movements.
At what age can you get Parkinson's disease?
The disease is normally seen in the elderly, with the average age of diagnosis being 57 years.
Perhaps the saddest thing about Parkinson's disease is that it is not limited by age. Although most patients are men over the age of 50 when the first onset of the disease is identified, the disease can affect anyone.
This is the story of a 45-year-old man hospitalized in March 2020 for a dry cough and muscle pain. A few days earlier, he had noticed a loss of sense of smell (anosmia). His symptoms began six days earlier, two days after he returned from a long weekend in the United States. He may have been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus - Read More...
How to diagnose Parkinson's disease?
In this article, we'll take a closer look at why CBD oil for Parkinson's disease is becoming increasingly popular.
A Promising Treatment Option When Parkinson's disease first manifests, the symptoms are easily mistaken for common signs of aging, such as tremors.
4 warning signs of Parkinson's disease:
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Reduction of the sense of smell : 90% of people with Parkinson's have had a loss / reduction of the sense of smell about 1 year before the diagnosis of the disease
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Restless Night : people with restorative sleep disorder may be at higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease in the future
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Constipation : constipation can become a cause up to 20 years before diagnosis
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Anxiety and Depression : depression, which is common in people with Parkinson's disease, can also precede any other symptoms of the disease
However, as the disease progresses, the diagnosis becomes obvious. Although there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, it has recently been discovered that CBD oil may simply have a beneficial effect for symptom relief and management.
As such, CBD may provide a better quality of life for people with Parkinson's disease.
Perhaps the saddest thing about Parkinson's disease is that it is not limited by age. Although most patients are men over the age of 50 when the first onset of the disease is identified, the disease can affect anyone .
For the elderly, Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurological disease after Alzheimer's disease, but regardless of the age of the patient, all people with Parkinson's disease are at risk of losing their independence and feel their quality of life impacted.
Treatments for Parkinson's disease?
As such, it is crucial that patients find a treatment option, which can help improve their condition and slow its progression as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, common treatments for serious neurological diseases often involve a long series of unwanted side effects,
The role of dopamine in Parkinson's
The reason why CBD is very promising is its close connection to the physiological functions of the body. People with Parkinson's disease often present with physical, cognitive and psychological symptoms and as the disease progresses, the lack of motor control becomes more evident.
This happens because 60-80% of the neurons that produce dopamine are destroyed. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the human brain, responsible for transferring information between neurons. This feature helps regulate various functions, such as motor control and emotional responses.
When the neurons that produce dopamine cease to exist, a person with Parkinson's disease may experience muscle stiffness, reduced mobility, slower movements, impaired balance, coordination problems and tremors in the arms, legs, hands or jaw.
Unfortunately, these are not the only symptoms that occur due to low dopamine levels. People may also lose their natural facial expressions or experience moments of dementia, lethargy, lack of sleep, depression, anxiety, fear, or cognitive changes.
Parkinson's and the Role of CBD
Many patients with Parkinson's disease have been shown to improve these symptoms by using CBD oil . Studies of CBD for Parkinson's disease are just beginning, however research now shows that CBD acts as an "inverse agonist" when it encounters a specific protein receptor called GPR6.
As such, it can help boost the production of much-needed dopamine. Through this stimulation, CBD may help slow the progression of Parkinson's disease and make its symptoms more manageable, suggesting a new therapeutic use of CBD for the disease.
The fact that CBD is a potent antioxidant with neuroprotective properties is the exact reason why it has valuable potential for patients with severe neurological conditions, as proven in preclinical trials.
In addition to improving motor control, CBD has also shown promise for reducing anxiety , depression , and pain , which are associated with the progression of Parkinson's disease and the adverse effects of illness on people's quality of life.
Common causes of Parkinson's development
According to research, conditions such as anxiety and depression are common in patients with Parkinson's disease. About 40% develop anxiety disorders as a result of the illness and 60% become depressed to some degree and severity, ranging from mild depression to severe and chronic states of hopelessness.
Chemical changes in the brain due to the neurodegenerative nature of the disease are thought to be responsible for these emotional and personality changes.
Currently, medical evidence on the use and effectiveness of CBD against Parkinson's disease is limited, mainly due to the illogical prohibition of cannabis and its derivatives.
However, CBD has been used to reduce depression and also be of interest for restless leg syndrome for several years, regardless of the underlying cause.
Through personal stories and anecdotal evidence, CBD has been shown to be a natural alternative to treating anxiety, reducing the discomfort and cognitive weaknesses often experienced by patients with Parkinson's disease.
And when used in the early stages of this progressive disease, cannabis oil with CBD has also shown neuroprotective abilities, protecting brain neurons from further damage.
A good diet plays a vital role, Although CBD has shown great potential as a natural treatment alternative, research into Parkinson's disease has also found that an imbalanced digestion can increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Parkinsons.
This happens because certain bacteria in the digestive system release toxins, which can damage mitochondria; energy storage for the cells of our body. Without mitochondria to release energy to the cells, they are unable to repair themselves and therefore quickly die.
This digestive disorder can lead to more serious cases of Parkinson's disease
Knowing the strong link between gut bacteria and the onset of Parkinson's disease, the right food choices can help your body stop the development of the disease at an early stage.
What diet for parkinson?
A diet rich in fermented foods and probiotics (lactic acid bacteria) can help keep mitochondria healthy, creating a thriving environment in the digestive tract.
This is also useful in preventing or relieving conditions such as constipation and anxiety , which are often seen in patients with Parkinson's disease.
What do the studies say about the symptoms of Parkinson's disease?
Skin disease linked to Parkinson's, study finds
Researchers have started a clinical trial. It addresses a specific skin condition that affects some patients with Parkinson's disease.
"About half of patients with Parkinson's disease have a rash on the face called seborrheic dermatitis , which looks like dandruff on the face near the nose."
Doctors want to know if a medicine containing CBD can help with a Parkinson's rash. Currently, 40 patients are enrolled in the first and second phases of clinical trials.
Cannabis may be helpful in Parkinson's disease , says another study
According to a survey of 1,348 questionnaires sent to patients with Parkinson's disease, 8.4% of them say they use cannabis for medical purposes.
The study was conducted by researchers from the Department of Neurology at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany. The questionnaires were distributed nationally via the member journal of the German Parkinson's Association (1123 questionnaires) and locally in a clinic (225 questionnaires).
51% of participants knew that cannabis could be prescribed by doctors, 28% knew the different routes of administration and 9% the difference between THC and CBD.
Over 40% of cannabis users reported a reduction in pain and muscle cramps. More than 20% of participants surveyed who use cannabis say they have seen an improvement in the following symptoms: stiffness/akinesia, tremors, depression, anxiety and restless leg syndrome.
And general tolerance was good. Symptom improvement was reported by 54% of consumers using oral CBD and 68% who inhaled high-THC cannabis.
Compared to CBD consumption, inhaling THC was more often reported to reduce akinesia and rigidity (50% vs. 35%).
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CBD may reduce parkinson's tremors
In a controlled study on mice, a team of Danish researchers discovered that a specific synthetic cannabinoid reduced tremor, a finding published in the journal Nature Neuroscience and potentially revolutionary for the disease, which affects 300,000 people in France.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, conducted the study and published their findings in the journal Nature Neuroscience.
Essential tremor is a neurological condition that causes involuntary rhythmic tremor.
Although they can affect any part of the body, they usually appear in the hands and are most noticeable when trying to perform simple tasks, such as drinking from a cup or tying a shoe.
Although not dangerous in itself, this condition worsens over time and can make everyday life extremely difficult for some people.
Essential tremor is a separate condition from Parkinson's disease, which also causes tremors. They usually appear for the first time in people over 40 years old.
To sum up :
Although CBD does not offer a cure for Parkinson's disease, this molecule can help mitigate an improvement in the disease and strengthen the body in its fight against the unwanted symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
This means that more research and human studies are needed to facilitate the acceptance and availability of CBD oil for patients with Parkinson's disease.
CBD oil can help improve quality of life and gain self-esteem in patients with Parkinson's disease, while also helping to improve their mental health by managing feelings of depression, stress and feelings of depression. anxiety .
