I’m an old time toker but not a recent smoker. Several friends with Parkinson’s are though and as I live in a city where it is easy to get legally I know a number of people who are lighting up to see if it helps. They are using marijuana with different strengths and in different forms. So does marijuana help Parkinson’s? The web has many individual testimonials as to the benefits but there is no solid clinical research verified evidence that marijuana prevents, cures, or stops the progression of the disease. Some reputable clinical trials say no, some say maybe but none found that marijuana definitely lessens PD symptoms or has a long term positive affect on the course of the disease. All say further study is needed. There is some evidence that marijuana does help better manage some symptoms though. So the real answer is yes or no and in a round about way maybe. Take your pick. The results, as with most things dealing with PD, are mixed and different for each person.
So lets turn to individual experience. I have a number of friends
who tried it. Only one said its made his symptoms of tremors, balance, posture better although some said they were more relaxed and less rigid. The most coherent response, that is, the response answered when not high is, “Marijuana didn’t prevent my symptoms. It didn't make my tremors or balance better but it made me more relaxed and better able to control my symptoms.” It doesn't stop or lessen the tremors from happening but helped people to be aware of and relax their muscles so the shakes weren’t as bad. Balance may have been worse and some people experienced paranoia and anxiety which prevented them from using. The consensus among friends is that marijuana doesn’t lessen any symptom directly except rigidity but it helps them deal with and better control some symptoms.
who tried it. Only one said its made his symptoms of tremors, balance, posture better although some said they were more relaxed and less rigid. The most coherent response, that is, the response answered when not high is, “Marijuana didn’t prevent my symptoms. It didn't make my tremors or balance better but it made me more relaxed and better able to control my symptoms.” It doesn't stop or lessen the tremors from happening but helped people to be aware of and relax their muscles so the shakes weren’t as bad. Balance may have been worse and some people experienced paranoia and anxiety which prevented them from using. The consensus among friends is that marijuana doesn’t lessen any symptom directly except rigidity but it helps them deal with and better control some symptoms.
Many people, both those with and without PD, report that marijuana helps them sleep. Medical studies show that CBD helps people fall asleep and stay asleep. THC studies have mixed results but some people say that THC helps them sleep and others that it keeps them awake. Insomnia is punishing so I say use whatever gets you through the night. Tetrahydrocannabinoil (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two of the many compounds found in the cannabis plant. The main difference between them is that THC is psychoactive and gets you high and CBD doesn’t.
CBD is reported to help with Parkinson’s fatigue and increase energy while THC imitates the effects of the natural neurotransmitter anandamide which impacts sleeping and eating habits. Some people prefer CBD for day use and THC for night. Some prefer a mix of CBD and THC and low doses seem to be preferable to high doses. The oils, tinctures and edibles are longer lasting than smoking or vaporizing which are faster acting. Some reports say that THC enhances pharmaceutical levodopa and CBD lessens the effect. Consistent info is vague and results seem to differ with each person. THC and CBD have different properties and seem to work a little in concert and a little in opposition. Find what works best for you. Like with any medicine it is best to get a lab tested reliable product and know what you are putting in your body.
Following the heroic example of the most dedicated researchers and scientists like Marie Curie, Jonas Salk, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde I decided to self test so I smoked a joint or two to see if it helped. My tremors didn’t go away but my appetite increased so I ate some marijuana candy, a couple of dope brownies, a whole pizza, a chocolate milk shake, and another one of those tasty marijuana brownies for dessert. Still shaking but feeling no pain and very full I decided to take a nap and so inhaled a lovely aromatic indica THC vapor and promptly fell asleep. I awoke several hours later and feeling a little hungry noticed an uneaten brownie …
