Aging and the Endocannabinoid System
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Application of Cannabinoid Medicine to Parkinson’s Disease
Taking CBD in pill or tincture form can be explored as a complementary treatment, whether to relieve anxiety, decrease REM sleep behavior disorder symptoms, or treat psychosis. Anecdotal evidence exists for Parkinson’s disease patients smoking or vaporizing cannabis and being able to move normally without tremor within minutes. Despite not knowing the best strains or dosages to use, it is likely that vaporizing cannabis, in particular cannabis strains with CBD in it, will not harm a Parkinson’s disease patient. Cannabis should be vaporized instead of smoked because toxins from burning cannabis, like ammonia, could cause further harm to dying dopamine cells.
Risks of Treating a Patient with Parkinson’s Disease with Cannabinoid Medicine
Drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease do not interact with CBD because they are not broken down by the same p450 liver enzymes that CBD inhibits. CBD or cannabis use may induce short-term memory deficits in some patients. This can be offset by also consuming caffeine, taking the cognitive supplement citicholine, or using peppermint oil or alpha-pinene.
Neuro Research
9. Janefjord E, et al. (2014). Cannabinoid effects on β amyloid fibril and aggregate formation, neuronal and microglial-activated neurotoxicity in vitro. Cell Mol Neurobiol, 34(1):31-42.
REFERENCES
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