Medical Marijuana and Parkinson’s Disease
What is Parkinson’s Disease? Parkinson's is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a failure in dopamine production. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter whose role is to control the reward and pleasure centers in the brain. In addition, it is responsible for regulating movement and emotional responses. When the cells that produce dopamine start to die, symptoms of Parkinson's Disease can appear. It is estimated that 1 in every 500 Canadians will develop Parkinson's Disease in their lifetime. Approximately 100,000 people are currently living with this disease and another 6,600 cases are diagnosed each year1. Most individuals who are diagnosed with PD are over the age of 60, but there is a small number (10%) of individuals under the age of 50 who are affected. The most common symptoms of Parkinson's Disease are tremors, slowness, stiffness, impaired balance and rigid muscles. Additional symptoms can also include fatigue, speech issues or soft speech, issues with writing or hand movement, poor posture and sleep disturbances. Typically Parkinson’s Disease occurs in five stages: 1. Stage One is mild and characterized by tremors in the hands and body. 2. Stage Two sees a worsening of symptoms; tremors may impact both sides of the body, mobility become an issue. 1
https://www.ucb-canada.ca/en/Patients/Conditions/Parkinson-s-Disease
3. Stage Three is the mid-stage and patients will have an increased difficulty with daily activities (dressing, eating), as well as issues with mobility and balance. 4. Stage Four symptoms lead patients to require a walker and results in difficulty with speech and writing. 5. Stage Five, the final stage requires, around the clock care and assistance due to the decreased motor skills
Current Treatments for Parkinson’s Disease As stated earlier, there is unfortunately no cure for Parkinson’s. Patients will have varying symptoms and progression, depending on the rate of cell death. Some individuals may benefit from surgery, but there are some other therapies that customers currently use to seek relief:
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Physical therapy to help mobility, flexibility and balance Occupational therapy for daily activities Speech therapy Exercise to improve muscle and joint health as well as overall well-being
How Cannabis Can Help
Cannabis has proven to be able to be a positive therapy for a lot of conditions ranging from seizures to cancer and chemotherapy to Alzheimer's and even more. This is a very beneficial and wide-ranging plant with huge benefits to help individuals to find comfort, regardless of their condition. A study conducted by Tel Aviv University in November 2017 had 40 Parkinson’s patients using medical marijuana over a period of 19 months. The results from this study found that 82% of
subjects experienced an improvement in their Parkinson’s-related symptoms and that 75% reported an improvement in their overall mood2. These results are a strong indicator of the benefits of cannabis for Parkinson’s patients. The Parkinson's Foundation even lists medical marijuana as a new treatment option with the recent studies that have come to light.
Best Strains for Parkinson’s Disease As with any treatment method, it is important to get the right medication and determine the correct dose. While dosage for cannabis ranges from person to person, depending on the severity of their symptoms, their body composition, metabolism and previous cannabis experience, we can help steer you in the right direction! There are hundreds of cannabis strains around today, but there are a few that are better suited to Parkinson’s symptoms than others. Some of the best strains for Parkinson’s Disease include: ● Blue Dream - This is a potent and relaxing Indica-dominant strain that is ideal for evenings to help with insomnia and pain relief. Click here to learn more! ● Trainwreck - This is a high-intensity Sativa strain that provides a boost in mood as well as relaxation throughout the body to ease tremors and improve balance. Click here to learn more! ● Rockstar - This is a lovely strain that combines the uplifted mood with a powerful body buzz and a sense of relaxation, without leaving you sedated. Click here to learn more! ● Chemdawg - This strain is ideal for helping to treat a variety of symptoms including migraines, depression, anxiety, appetite loss and pain. Click here to learn more! ● Bubba OG - This is a nice Indica-dominant hybrid that is excellent for treating insomnia, chronic pain, anxiety, headaches and even depression. Click here to learn more! For patients uncomfortable with the idea of being “high”, CBD Isolate or CBD oil is a great alternative to THC. CBD products have zero psychoactive effects but provide potent pain relief!
Buy Cannabis Online If you are tired of wasting your money at over-priced dispensaries, why not check out FairCannaCare.com? They are on online cannabis dispensary that believes in providing affordable, quality product for anyone in need (19+). The online shop includes flower ranging from $2 to $7 per gram, shatter starting at $15 as well as edibles, tinctures, CBD isolates, hash and more! Click here to visit their website and see how easy it is to buy cannabis online today! Sources: https://www.marijuanabreak.com/studies-on-marijuana-and-pain
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https://www.marijuanabreak.com/studies-on-marijuana-and-pain
http://www.parkinson.ca/about-parkinsons/understanding-parkinsons/ https://www.ucb-canada.ca/en/Patients/Conditions/Parkinson-s-Disease