Patients Using Natural Products to Manage Parkinsons

A newly published investigation in published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease suggests that 36% of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients have declared using natural products like cannabis to relieve connected symptoms.

What is Parkinsons Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that predominantly impacts physical movement control. Symptoms include tremors, stiffness, slow movement and poor balance. Other symptoms that may present include depression, problems with sleep and cognitive shifts. The precise reason for Parkinson’s is still unidentified and as suchthere is no cure. However treatments including medication, physical therapy, and occasionally surgery can assist in managing symptoms and improving quality of life.

Canadian and Dutch researchers discovered that of 367 PD patients questioned, 16% used coffee especially to lessen the impact of PD-related symptoms, 13% turned to cannabis, and 5% reported having used both coffee and cannabis products. Other natural products in relatively common use were turmeric-10%, chamomile-5%, and velvet bean-7%.

It was warned in the report however that “Natural health products are commonly used to alleviate symptoms of PD, but most users are unaware that these products can interact with PD medication and do not discuss their consumption with their healthcare professional.”

A survey carried out in 2021 by the USA’s Parkinson’s Foundation revealed an understanding of the use of and views surrounding cannabis among people living with Parkinsons. According to the Foundation, over 10 million people globally are living with Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinsons is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease with men being 1.5 times more likely to develop it than women.

The direct and indirect cost of Parkinson’s is calculated to be almost $52 billion per year in the USA alone. The Foundation has also published a guide to medical cannabis and PD; summarising some of the probable benefits and threats. It comments that there isn’t definitive scientific proof that cannabis is beneficial in managing Parkinsons.

“While some results have been positive, the effects of medical cannabis are likely not completely understood. This is why more analyses, especially those with more topics, are required.” - The Parkinsons Foundation

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