Are you living with Parkinson’s disease? Do you feel helpless from the pain and discomfort? Do not lose hope. Since time immemorial, people are using CBD for its unique health benefits. In this article, we are going to explore the rudimentary effect of CBD on Parkinson’s disease.
Understanding CBD
Clinical research done on the cannabis plant has classified more than 100 cannabinoids, and Cannabidiol (CBD) is one among them. This is a non-psychoactive component, meaning people will not get inebriated, which brings many health benefits approved by numerous official researches.
Three independent forms of CBD, namely “CBD isolate”, “broad-spectrum CBD”, and “full-spectrum CBD”, have been discovered so far. Among these, the isolated CBD is the most unblended one. These are also the three terms which are available on the labeled products commercially.
The most celebrated news in today’s market is the legalization of the use of CBD over the USA. Studies backed by sufficient scientific pieces of evidence have also removed all stigmas towards CBD. Today, it is widely used as an alternative for all nonprescription drugs.
How Does CBD Work For Human Beings?
CBD binds with the CB1 and CB2 receptors to change or improve the functionality of these cannabinoid receptors Located in the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, and the immune system respectively, these two receptors upregulate the endocannabinoid production. They combine to form the endocannabinoid system. This system is in charge of the overall health and operation of the human body.
CBD can also make the serotonin receptors influence emotions. It controls the feeling of hunger, needs, pain, anxiety, sleeplessness, vomiting, and nausea. These receptors work for the serotonin neurotransmitters present inside the human brain.
CBD also controls the body heat, aches, and swellings by binding with the Vanilloid receptors, also called TRVP1 receptors. TRVP1 stands for transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1, meaning it is a protein of the transient receptor potential family.
A human brain, especially the cerebellum, consists of the “orphan receptors” or the “G protein-coupled receptor 55” (GRP55), which can regulate blood pressure and bone density. CBD can impede the GPR55 to regulate its performance.
Activated Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) regulates the arrangement of specific genes by binding to certain parts of the DNA. CBD as a PPARs (nuclear receptors) agonists regulate development, tissue differentiation, inflammation, mitochondrial function, wound healing, lipid uptake, and glucose metabolism.
Besides, all the above functions, CBD also works as a reuptake inhibitor and an allosteric modulator.
What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the neurological system. This chronic neurodegenerative disease is generally common among elderly people aged 60 and above. However, it also affects young people under 40 years of age, and its victims are mostly males in the majority of the cases.
It destroys nerve cells, found mostly in the substantia nigra. These densely packed neurons create dopamine, a neurotransmitter that controls normal movement patterns.
The death of neurons in this area will hinder the transfer of signals to and from the basal ganglia, ultimately affecting movement. A person will then experience symptoms like tremors or rhythmic shakings, stiff or rigid muscles, slow movement (bradykinesia), disequilibrium posture (balance problems), and walking or gait difficulty. Non-motor symptoms like sleep problems, constipation, anxiety, depression, fatigue can also be included in this list.
Can CBD Oil Work For Parkinson’s Disease?
Both genetics and environment are believed to collaborate and conspire against the human body to cause Parkinson’s disease. Although there is no cure or prevention to date, research has lead to the use of CBD for Parkinson’s disease to relieve its symptoms.
William Richard Gowers from Europe introduced his research on Cannabinoids and Parkinson’s disease on his“Manual of Diseases of the Nervous System,” which was published in the year 1888 by the P. Blakiston’s Son and Co., Philadelphia, USA. Since then, cannabis was subjected to several scientific investigations, until recently, when people started considering it without its psychoactive components.
Studies based on observation have recorded people with this progressive neurodegenerative disease of improved Parkinsonian symptoms. Even though it did not work for all, it could help mitigate at least some signs of this illness like slow, rhythmic tremors; bradykinesia, movement without proper coordination, sleeplessness, and difficulties with aches.
What Do Studies Have to Say About Managing Parkinson’s Disease?
The legalization of Cannabis has encouraged clinical studies on CBD. This has successfully removed any related stigmas and highlighted the potential of CBD in Parkinson’s disease.
Let us take a look at some other researches conducted on the Parkinsonian symptoms.
Pain.
A 2014 (April-March) study aimed to assess the clinical effect of CBD on the motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The use of CBD for Parkinson’s Disease as an analeptic agent was well documented. CBD alleviated the pain and sleep disturbances. This open-label observational study showed satisfactory results for pain scores.
An open-label observational study published in the NCBI (March-April,20), reveals that CBD has considerably alleviated pain and sleep disturbances.Tremors
An open pilot study published by the NCBI in November 1986 shows a possibility of relieving oneself of dystonic movement disorder when CBD is used for Parkinson’s disease.Psychosis
Psychosis is a symptom that causes a person to deviate from reality. It causes hallucinations, delusions, incoherent speech and agitation.
Yet another observation from the November 2009 issue of the NCBI gives a green signal when it comes to the utilization of CBD for Parkinson’s disease. CBD turned up to be something well-tolerated, without causing any unfavorable reactions to the muscle activities. The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale’s count also decreased subsequently, which is, of course, a good indication.Sleep Disturbances
A 2014 case report described how CBD minimized the recurrence of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), which is linked with bad dreams and active behavior during dreaming.Quality of Life
Another study published on November 2014, uncovered a positive transformation in the quality of life of the Parkinson’s Disease sufferers with CBD oil usage, but ruling out dementia or comorbid psychiatric condition.
What Are The Possible Threats or Risks From The Use of CBD?
In most cases when sufferers are administered CBD oils for Parkinson’s disease, people rarely show any negative reactions. Even if they do, it is mild, which does not have a lasting effect. These frequently reported symptoms are dry mouth, drowsiness or tiredness, starvation, diarrhea, nausea, and red eyes.
Conclusion
For people with Parkinson’s disease, CBD promises to ease their lives and relieve symptoms with its powerful health benefits. CBD oils for Parkinson’s disease will help you with rigidity, stiffness, tremors, stress, insomnia, and other related problems. By relieving the symptoms of the condition, CBD works towards boosting self-confidence, walking abilities, well-being, and performance for day-to-day activities.