The brain cells which produces the neurotransmitter dopamine which is responsible for message transmission to the part of the body that carries out movement can be damaged, causing the cells to die progressively. This brain cell injury may lead to Parkinson’s disease (PD). Parkinson’s disease is a long term degenerative disorder of the central nervous. Symptoms include shaking, the rigidity of muscles leading to slowness and difficulty in movement, depression, anxiety and lack of sleep (insomnia).
Known as the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, Parkinson’s disease affects about one million people in the US and about seven million people in the world. This disease has no cure; rather, what is available are treatments to reduce its symptoms and manage the disease. Cannabidiol is an example of such treatment.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a type of natural compound called cannabinoid, gotten from cannabis plants commonly known as the hemp plant. Cannabis plants have been used medically in the reduction of anxiety and depression, relieving pain, helps with insomnia and offer other neuroprotective properties. Hence, cannabidiol base on research shows beneficial effect in neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease. This article intends to shed light on these effects.
EFFECT OF CANNABIDIOL ON PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Base on research, the following includes the various effects of cannabidiol on Parkinson’s disease.
REDUCE PAIN AND STIFFNESS
Cannabidiol is rich in antioxidants, which has an anti-inflammatory effect. Significantly it helps in the reduction of pain and stiffness that may arise in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. This stiffness prevents muscles from relaxing and stretching as they should, thus slowing movement. Studies have shown that inflammatory pain caused by the disease can be reduced with the help of cannabidiol. It does this by affecting how the pain receptors respond to stimuli.
CURE lNSOMNIA
Individuals with Parkinson’s disease experience problems with falling and staying asleep, which is related to depression and anxiety common in Parkinson’s disease. During a study on CBD’s effect on sleep in patients with Parkinson at the University of Colorado Hospital, it was discovered that taking of cannabidiol oil improved patient’s sleep.
REDUCE PSYCHOTIC SYMPTOMS
Parkinson’s disease results in a low level of dopamine. Medications taken to increase dopamine levels during treatment often triggers psychosis. Thus, psychosis is a possible complication that arises during the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Symptoms include hallucinations, illusions, and delusions, which are common at the later stage of the disease. From studies, CBD was shown to decrease these symptoms in affected individual significantly.
DELAY THE DISEASE PROGRESSION
Researchers found in a study, that the neuroprotective properties of cannabidiol (CBD) causes delay the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Thus, managing the disease.
CONCLUSION
Though cannabidiol has these beneficial effects, it is essential to note that, it is not the established or most effective treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Levodopa is commonly used for the treatment of the disease, but CBD tackles the nonmotor symptoms caused by the disease. These symptoms anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Therefore, cannabidiol is used as a complementary treatment of the disease to relieve its symptoms and to ease the side effect caused by commonly used treatment for the disease.