Yo, what’s good? My name is Dan and today we’re gonna talk about using medical marijuana for Parkinson’s disease. And let me tell you, despite what you may have seen on some fake news sites, there ain’t no definitive list of the “best cannabis strains for Parkinson’s disease.” But don’t worry, there’s plenty of real data out there on how cannabis and CBD can help with Parkinson’s symptoms. Plus, with all the different strains out there, it’s possible to find one that fits your lifestyle needs.
So what exactly is Parkinson’s disease? It’s a progressive disorder that affects your nervous system and makes it harder to control your movements. It usually starts with a slight tremor in one hand, but it can get worse over time and affect other parts of your body. Unfortunately, up to 10 million people worldwide live with this condition and it’s estimated that 930,000 Americans have it today. The costs of treatment and lost income are almost $1 billion per week in the U.S. alone, which is straight-up crazy.
Now, there ain’t no single cause that we can pinpoint for Parkinson’s disease. But we do know that it’s related to losing neurons in your brain that make the chemical dopamine. This affects brain activity and causes some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Genetics, toxins like pesticides and herbicides, age (most patients are over 50), gender (men are more likely to get it), and clumps of substances found in brain cells called Lewy bodies may play a role in developing the disease.
So what kind of treatments are out there for Parkinson’s? Well, there ain’t no cure, but there are medications that can help manage symptoms. However, their effects usually wear off over time. Other options include deep brain stimulation surgery, but that comes with risks like brain hemorrhage.
That’s why researchers have looked into using cannabis to help Parkinson’s patients. The endocannabinoid system in your body has cannabinoid receptors that can link to your brain cells and regulate motor and cognitive functions. Cannabinoids are neuroprotective, meaning they can help protect nerve cells against damage. Some studies have shown that cannabis “has been shown to attenuate motor and nonmotor signs and symptoms of PD” and can improve overall quality of life for patients.
Now, different strains of marijuana can produce different effects depending on their THC and CBD content. Kush strains are highly sedative and best used at night for muscle relaxation. Citrus strains have high THC content and produce a euphoric head high along with a numbing sensation that soothes muscles. High-CBD strains like Harlequin can relieve muscle spasticity and help with sleeping. 1:1 CBD/THC strains are milder but still provide pain relief for patients with little experience using marijuana. Diesel strains like Sour Diesel are potent but not recommended for beginners.
But listen up folks, using cannabis ain’t gonna cure Parkinson’s disease or replace approved medical treatments. It’s important to talk to your doctor about the potential use of cannabis for your symptoms and find a strain that works for you based on your individual needs.
Peace out!