In the Netherlands, more than 52,000 people were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. More and more people with Parkinson's are using CBD oil, successfully. The internet is full of success stories from Parkinson's patients who see their symptoms improve by using CBD. In this blog article, we will explore whether CBD helps with Parkinson's and what CBD can do for you.
What is Parkinson's?
Parkinson's disease is a chronic brain disorder that usually begins between the ages of 50 and 60. A brain disorder in which a small group of cells in the brain (in the substantia nigra) is damaged and dies. As a result, the cells can no longer produce dopamine. And that chemical is exactly what we need to move smoothly and control our body movements.
Why the brain cells in the substantia nigra die is not yet precisely known. Factors that may play a role include: decline in brain function with increasing age, a disorder in protein metabolism, and environmental factors such as exposure to toxic substances.
The consequence of Parkinson's disease is:
- Trembling
- Stiff arms
- Difficulty speaking
- Stiff legs
Unfortunately, the cause is still unknown. However, it has been scientifically established how certain parkinsonisms develop. The disease arises from the death of nerve cells in the brain. When about 70% of these dopamine-producing cells have died, Parkinson's symptoms appear. It is still unknown why these nerve cells die.
There are different theories about the disease, but the real cause is not yet known. It may be caused by viruses, bacteria, heavy metals, or toxic substances.
People with Parkinson's disease can have various symptoms. These can include the following:
- Loss of smell
- Tremor
- Difficulty moving
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty sleeping
- Soft or low voice
- Constipation issues
- Masked face
- Dizziness or fainting
- Poor posture
- Smaller handwriting
- Reduced appetite
- Psychosis
- Anxiety disorder
Many of these complaints can be alleviated by using CBD. Parkinson's disease cannot be cured, but you can reduce the symptoms by using CBD.
(Source)
Research on CBD and Parkinson's
On October 17, 2019, Parkinson's Life published (Source) a study on the use of CBD in combination with Parkinson's. The following was investigated and published:
Led by the charity Parkinson's UK—which invested £1.2 million in the project—and King's College London, the large-scale trial will take place in 2020 over three and a half years. Researchers believe it could provide essential evidence that cannabis oil, also known as 'CBD,' can improve Parkinson's-related psychosis and hallucinations. In an interview with Parkinson's Life, Dr. Arthur Roach, research director at Parkinson's UK, emphasized the need for a treatment for hallucinations:
"Up to 60% of people living with Parkinson's experience psychosis at some point in their lives, but currently there are no medicines approved in the UK to address this distressing symptom."
Parkinson's UK also expressed concern about the growing number of people buying and using unregulated, expensive cannabis oil, with little evidence that it works effectively.
Appetite for alternative treatment for Parkinson's
A survey by Parkinson's UK found that people living with Parkinson's would continue or start using cannabis-based products if there was strong enough evidence to prove their safety.
"We found that 26% of respondents had already used cannabis-derived products for their Parkinson's," explains Dr. Roach. "We know that people with Parkinson's want to learn more about this area of research."
This year, UK legislation changed, allowing medicinal cannabis to be legally prescribed for the first time—a result of a high-profile case in which a mother fought to treat her son's severe epilepsy.
Despite the new legislation, UK clinicians have been slow to prescribe cannabis-based medicines due to the lack of solid clinical evidence available on their safety, prompting groups to call for better access to treatment.
The study is the latest in a series of trials from the Parkinson's Virtual Biotech program, a branch of Parkinson's UK dedicated to bridging the funding gap in drug development—and accelerating projects with the potential to transform the lives of people with Parkinson's.
Dr. Roach said: “We hope this clinical trial, which is one of the largest and most robust studies on CBD conducted worldwide for Parkinson’s, will provide the much-needed evidence for treating Parkinson’s-related psychosis and help close this knowledge gap."
What is CBD?
What exactly is CBD? Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the many compounds found in the cannabis plant. It is a non-psychoactive substance. This means you cannot get a high or become stoned from CBD. The most well-known product made from CBD is CBD oil. CBD itself is a paste-like substance. To make oil, hemp seed oil, olive oil, or MCT oil is often added. Besides CBD, the cannabis plant contains other cannabinoids. These include CBG, CBN, CBD, and also THC. A large amount of THC is illegal in the Netherlands. Therefore, the THC percentage in CBD products is never more than 0.05% and is negligible. THC is hardly present in the cannabis plant. This compound is found in the marijuana plant. Marijuana oil is often compared to CBD oil. The two are similar, but THC makes the difference. Marijuana oil is illegal and contains a lot of THC, while CBD oil is legal in the Netherlands and contains little to no THC.
When CBD oil or CBD products are made, often all cannabinoids are used. This is a Full Spectrum oil. The cannabinoids enhance each other's effects, creating an “entourage effect.” Besides CBD oil, CBD is also made into CBD capsules, CBD edibles, and even CBD care products. CBD can be beneficial in many ways. Its popularity has led to a huge variety of different products.
What percentage of CBD should I use for Parkinson's?
If you have Parkinson's disease and want to use CBD, you will find a lot of information on the internet. The internet is full of different CBD products and providers. It is important for you to be well informed and purchase the right products. ProHemp is a CBD provider that offers a wide range of CBD products. Through an online tool, you can request personal advice and see which product is best for you.
The best-known CBD product is CBD oil. CBD oil comes in a small bottle with a dropper. CBD is a natural product and can have a slightly spicy taste. There are different percentages of CBD. The lightest variant contains 5% CBD and is suitable for children, preventive use, or very mild complaints. The strongest variant is 30% CBD and is used for more severe complaints and is suitable for users who are familiar with the product or have used CBD more often.
If you have Parkinson's disease and have never used CBD before, it is advisable to start with a 10% CBD oil. This oil contains all cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, except THC. THC is a substance that can cause a high feeling. This is not present in THC-free CBD oil.
If you are going to use CBD, follow these steps
- Start with three drops of CBD three times a day
- Take the CBD half an hour before or after a meal
- Drop the CBD oil under your tongue
- Let the CBD oil sit for 90 – 120 seconds
- Wash down the CBD oil with water
- Increase the dosage by 1 drop at a time after three days
- Never take more than 9 drops at a time (27 drops per day)
When the first bottle is finished, order a higher concentration. Your body has now become accustomed to the CBD. If you started with 10% CBD oil, you can switch to CBD oil 20%. This contains twice as much CBD as the 10%. To get the same amount, you can halve the number of drops.
If you use 6 drops of CBD three times a day, you can switch to 3 drops three times a day. You can increase the dosage after three days until you reach a maximum of 27 drops per day. At this stage, it is important to find the right dosage. To find the right dosage, it is important to track your progress. You can do this with a notebook. Write down how many drops you have taken and how you feel.
The effects of CBD on Parkinson's disease
CBD must be absorbed by your body. Every body has an endocannabinoid system. This natural system absorbs the CBD. When you start using CBD, your body needs time to absorb it. Many people think CBD is a miracle cure and expect immediate results. This is not the case.
Most CBD users feel the first effects after two weeks. You may experience a calmer feeling, and many people find that they sleep better. Poor sleep or lack of sleep can be the cause of many underlying complaints. The endocannabinoid system is balanced in many people. CBD oil can help restore this balance, reducing your symptoms and associated complaints if you have Parkinson's disease.
CBD can help you with Parkinson's disease. Many studies are being conducted on the benefits of CBD.
Do you have questions or would you like a free consultation? You can always contact our specialists.