The LEAF Jan/Feb 2016 | Page 14

THC  not  only  inhibited  the  death  of  brain  cells,  but  eased  Parkinson’s  symptoms   as  well…  But  that’s  only  the  beginning. Another 2014 study published in Clinical Neuropharmacology found   that   Parkinson’s   patients had increased motor function within 30 minutes of Cannabis treatment. This also soothed tremors and rigidity associated with the disease. A  handful  of  studies  have  examined  THC’s   effect  on  Parkinson’s,  but  many  researchers   believe   the   chemical’s   non-psychoactive sibling holds the key to a cure. Scientists at the Complutense University of Madrid think that CBD is a great prospect for slowing down the disease. However, many more trials and studies are needed to fully explore CBD’s  potential. Regardless, CBD has been proven to improve   the   quality   of   life   in   Parkinson’s   patients. Both THC and CBD are helpful at eliminating the pain and mental health issues faced by targets of this debilitating disease. The two cannabinoids are powerful antioxidants. This trait makes them “ neuroprotective, enabling them to revitalise ageing and damaged brain cells. Medical   Cannabis   and   Parkinson’s   Treatment:, it is Neuroprotective, An Antioxidant and an Anti-Inflammatory In   some   ways,   current   Parkinson’s   treatments are more advanced than ever. In others, they seem oddly archaic. The catheters, small electroshocks to the brain, and   surgeries   eerily   seem   a   little   too   “mad   scientist”   or   Frankenstein-esque. Much of the  difficulty  in  treating  Parkinson’s  Disease   stems from how little we actually know about it in the first place. We know what causes the onset of tremors: dying dopamine factories.   Yet,   there’s   virtually   no   understanding of what causes those vital cells to die off. Because of this sad fact, PD patients are faced with treatment options that often involve a combination of invasive medical procedures and powerful psychotropic drugs.