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Parkinson ’ s Disease and Cannabis
by Peter Kershaw , Contributing Writer
Parkinson ’ s disease is the secondmost common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer ’ s disease . Once thought to affect a relatively small portion of the U . S . population , Parkinson ’ s disease appears to be on the rise . An estimated one million people in the U . S . currently live with Parkinson ’ s disease ( PD ). That number is expected to rise by 20 % or more by 2030 . The onset of PD now affects nearly 90,000 new victims in the U . S . each year .
Most people with Parkinson ’ s develop the disease after age 60 . The risk of Parkinson ’ s increases with age . Anywhere from 5 % to 10 % experience early-onset Parkinson ’ s ( before the age of 50 ). Early-onset Parkinson ’ s , in particular , is often inherited and thought to be due to genetic predisposition . Men are 1.5 times more likely to have Parkinson ’ s than women .
Parkinson ’ s disease is a progressive neurological disease — Parkinson ’ s results in uncontrollable movements such as tremors and shaking . Onset and symptoms usually begin gradually , worsening over time . The first symptom may be a barely noticeable tremor in one hand . The disorder may also cause rigidity , stiffness , slowing of movement , and pain . Parkinson ’ s patients may become unable to display much in the way of facial expressions . The arms may not swing when walking . Speech may become muted or slurred . As Parkinson ’ s progresses , patients often face challenges with walking , talking , and even standing . The patient may have problems with coordination and balance , as well as stiffness . They may also experience mental and behavioral changes , memory difficulties , sleep disorders , and fatigue .
Not only are the effects of Parkinson ’ s disease visible ( i . e ., motor control ), but they ’ re also unseen in that it adversely affects the patient ’ s emotions . Among other things , Parkinson ’ s patients commonly experience a broad range of emotional disturbances and chronic depression . Loved ones and caregivers often face considerable burdens and stresses caring for Parkinson ’ s patients .
What Causes Parkinson ’ s Disease ?
Take , for example , the ex-cop Larry Smith , who was able to toss out his Parkinson ’ s pharmaceuticals that were costing him thousands each month and didn ’ t even work . He tried concentrated cannabis oil ( orally ), and the results were immediate and astounding . Smith got his life back . There are many other similar testimonials .
Parkinson ’ s is caused by a deficiency of dopamine ( a neurotransmitter ) in the basal ganglia , a cluster of subcortical nuclei in the brain . The basal ganglia utilizes dopamine to help control muscle activity and movement . Dopamine deficiency can cause muscle spasms and involuntary movements .
Dopaminergic agents are commonly prescribed for Parkinson ’ s . One such drug is L-Dopa ( Levodopa ), a prescription drug precursor of dopamine . L-Dopa was featured in the highly acclaimed 1990 movie Awakenings ( ft . Robin Williams , Robert De Niro , based on the book by the same name ), where it was prescribed for catatonic patients . Unfortunately , the long-term success rate of L-Dopa for Parkinson ’ s hasn ’ t often proven much better than it did in the movie for catatonic patients .
Other drugs commonly prescribed include MOA-B inhibitors , Anticholinergics , and COMT inhibitors . Though Parkinson ’ s patients may , in some cases , see significant initial improvements from such drugs , their effectiveness often wanes and may later even worsen symptoms , including a phenomenon known as “ wearing off .” Common side effects may also include hallucinations or delusions , impulsive and compulsive behavior , and dyskinesia . The medical establishment acknowledges that it cannot cure or necessarily even slow the progression of Parkinson ’ s disease . As such , the drugs they offer do little to inspire confidence or provide a great deal of hope .
Potential Natural Treatments
A safer and natural approach for providing the brain with the precursor nutrients it needs to produce dopamine are the amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine . Both are severely lacking in Western diets , and vegetarians and vegans are especially likely to be deficient . Studies show these amino acids quickly normalize dopamine levels ( because amino acids compete with proteins in crossing the blood-brain barrier , take only on an empty stomach ). Both are readily available as supplements online and in health food stores . Unlike pharmaceuticals , these amino acids don ’ t run the risk of “ wearing off ,” nor do they come with dangerous potential side effects . However , caution should be exercised when combining Parkinson ’ s pharmaceuticals with tyrosine and phenylalanine , as Dopamine levels may quickly rise to excessive levels .
Cannabis for Parkinson ’ s Disease
Though there are several clinical trials of treating Parkinson ’ s with CBD , what we have to date ( at least in the U . S .) is rather limited where it includes THC . But even with CBD alone , the results are rather promising
20 December 2023