New York, NY: Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients who acknowledge using cannabis frequently report that it provides them with symptomatic relief.
Researchers affiliated with The Michael J. Fox Foundation surveyed nearly 1,900 PD patients regarding their use of cannabis. More than half of the survey’s respondents said that their cannabis consumption provided them with therapeutic benefits.
Specifically, respondents said that it improved their sleep, reduced their pain, and elevated their overall mood. Over 30 percent of respondents said that they had not discussed their medical cannabis use with their physician.
Separate survey data published in March by the Parkinson’s Foundation reported that nearly 25 percent of US patients with PD report having consumed cannabis within the previous six months. In that survey, the majority of cannabis consumers reported that it provided them with either “moderate or considerable improvement” in their symptoms, particularly in addressing anxiety, pain, sleep disorders, stiffness, and tremors.
Observational trial data has previously reported that cannabis inhalation is associated with improvements in tremor, rigidity, pain, sleep, and bradykinesia (slowness of movement) in patients with Parkinson’s.
This story first appeared @Norml and is used with permission. Additional information on cannabinoids and PD is available from NORML.
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