Survey Shows Patients With Parkinson's Disease Finding Relief With Cannabis

Researchers with The Michael J. Fox Foundation have recently published a new survey where patients with Parkinson’s Disease shared their experiences treating their condition with cannabis.  

The Foundation surveyed roughly 1,900 patients and more than half of the respondents said that they felt significant relief after using cannabis. The patients said that it improved their sleep, reduced their pain, and helped to improve their overall mood. Some patients reported the typical side effects of drowsiness or increased appetite, but these are small compared to the effects of many Parkinson’s medications. 

On average, respondents said they used cannabis at least once each day, and most of them consumed it orally. However, about 13% of participants were unable to identify the specific cannabis product they were using, while one-third didn’t know the exact dosage they were taking. 30% of patients admitted to not speaking to their doctors about their cannabis use. 

Lead researcher Maureen Leehey, MD, of the University of Colorado Denver, recently presented the survey results at the 2021 American Academy of Neurology Virtual Annual Meeting.

According to a different survey published earlier this year by the Parkinson’s Foundation, about 25% of patients in the US with Parkinson’s said that they have consumed cannabis within the past 6 months. That survey also indicated that a majority of the patients who were using cannabis experienced a considerable improvement in their symptoms.

These recent findings add to the growing evidence that cannabis use can be helpful for patients with Parkinson’s Disease. 

A 2017 German study published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease also had similar results. Still, despite these positive findings, experts say that more clinical research is needed to determine exactly how cannabis interacts with Parkinson’s Disease. Surveys that document the experience that patients have are enough to prove that they deserve access to cannabis, no matter where they live, but this type of research can only go so far when it comes to developing specific cannabis treatments and protocols for people with this condition. 

Parkinson's disease is a brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination.Older woman and her caregiver. Parkinson's symptoms usually begin gradually and get worse over time, with age being one of the driving factors.

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s Disease, although there are a wide variety of pharmaceutical treatments that are often given to patients simultaneously. The effectiveness of these drugs is not certain, and they carry significant side effects as well. Cannabis may not be a cure, but perhaps it can give patients the same level of relief that they get from a cocktail of pharmaceutical drugs, but without all the side effects. Although, it is important for you to talk with your doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan.