Most Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients who consume cannabis say that it mitigates their symptoms and improves their health-related quality of life, according to survey data published in the journal Parkinson’s Disease.
European investigators surveyed 1,136 patients with PD (median age: 68 years). Among those who acknowledged using cannabis, 60 percent said that it improves their quality of life. Most respondents said that cannabis mitigates their pain and rigidity and improves their sleep. Approximately 40 percent of consumers said that cannabis use reduces their tremor frequency. Many patients similarly reported beneficial effects from the use of CBD products.
“Both cannabis and CBD users reported high effectiveness levels for sleep disorders, pain, and rigidity/cramps, as well as high overall levels of satisfaction with the substances,” the study’s authors concluded. “An enhanced communication with healthcare providers and facilitated access to safe products are needed so that people with PD can maximize the benefits of cannabinoids when clinically appropriate.”
Observational studies have found cannabis inhalation to be associated with PD symptom improvements, including improvements in pain, tremor, and bradykinesia (slowness of movement).
