The National Parkinson’s Foundation website states:
With medical marijuana now legalized in 29 states and Washington, D.C., it is obvious that there is strong interest in its therapeutic properties. Researchers are testing marijuana, which is also called cannabis, as a treatment for many illnesses and diseases, including neurological conditions, with Parkinson’s disease (PD) high on the list. But despite several clinical studies, it has not been demonstrated that cannabis can directly benefit people with PD.
Indications
While there is limited evidence that has been gathered evaluating cannabinoid medicine and medical cannabis use as treatment for Parkinson’s Disease, there is a wealth of information on the effects of these options on symptoms often experienced by patients with Parkinson’s Disease, such as pain and sleep disturbance. According to a post on the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation website by Blair Ford, M.D., “Descriptions of Parkinson’s Disease do not generally include the mention of pain. And yet, when carefully questioned, more than half of all people with Parkinson’s disease say that they have experienced painful symptoms and various forms of physical discomfort.” There is mounting evidence that cannabis may be useful for some patients in managing chronic pain. Additionally, evidence for relief from symptoms experienced by patients with Parkinson’s Disease, such as depression and anxiety, has been discovered with the use of cannabinoid therapy. Cannabis use may also provide relief to patients experiencing nausea and vomiting, potential side effects of certain standard PD medications. Pain, depression, and anxiety can be arguably more debilitating for people with Parkinson’s than the movement disorder itself. Therefore, why hasn’t more research been done?
Anecdotal Evidence Surrounding Parkinson’s Disease
No large, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blinded clinical trials have been conducted on the effect of whole-plant cannabis on patients with Parkinson’s Disease, meaning that there is no evidence that a cause-effect relationship exists showing that cannabis use improves symptoms or slows progression for patients with Parkinson’s Disease.
When the evidence on cannabis in relation to a certain disorder is limited, we can turn to patient stories for anecdotal evidence that medical marijuana may provide relief for some patients, especially those with symptoms uncontrolled by standard therapies. A recent blog post, “The goal of medicine is to balance evidence with stories” highlights the important point which is its title. Given the favorable safety profile of medical cannabis and potential for low-risk experimentation for most patients, patient stories help in guiding healthcare professionals to which symptoms/disorders may be alleviated by the use or study of cannabinoid medicine.
According to David Esparza, a patient who has lived with Parkinson’s Disease for over 13 years and has experienced negative side effects from standard therapy, “[Cannabis] helps me with my attitude, it helps me with my shaking, it helps me deal with my new life… I don’t know how I look to other people… but I know what I feel like [when using cannabis]… I feel good.” He shares his story here.
According to a study published in Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry in 2013, the cannabinoid THC (the psychoactive cannabinoid) also may prove useful in the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease by (1) assisting in the prevention of damage caused by free radicals and (2) activating PPARγ, a receptor whose stimulation leads to the formation of new mitochondria (the part of cells that produces energy).
Additionally, there is mounting evidence that cannabinoids have the potential to work as neuroprotective agents (i.e. those that protect destruction of neurons) through processes such as improvement of function of mitochondria and the activation of cellular debris clearance. Increased research will help us to explore and harness any potential neuroprotective effects of cannabinoids. Please click here for more information on the potential for cannabinoid medicine use in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Summary
It is clear that more research is needed to determine what, if any, benefit may be derived from cannabis. Given today’s political climate (namely an Attorney General of the United States who appears to profit from incarcerating drug offenders) and the power of pharmaceutical companies to block anything that is not one of their products. However, the use of cannabis for medical use is now legal in Tennessee. Those of us who suffer from Parkinson’s, or are Parkinson’s caregivers, must lobby our legislators (at both the state and federal level) to ensure that we receive the best information, the best therapies, and the best drugs to treat this monstrous disease
Perpetual Motion 