Can CBD Help Treat Tremors Caused by Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative neurological disease, and one of its most significant symptoms is bodily tremors. A tremor tends to start on one side of the body, and progress to the other. Some pharmaceutical medications are approved to treat Parkinson’s. There is limited evidence that CBD can have some efficacy in treating Parkinson’s, but research is ultimately lacking.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological ailment characterized by progressive deterioration that occurs over time. While Parkinson’s major effects are on mobility, other symptoms may include changes to speech patterns, changes to physical writing ability, and decreased ability to perform automatic physical movements. Tremors are one of the most common physical symptoms produced by Parkinson’s, and finding ways to effectively manage or minimize tremors is essential to effectively coping with the disease.
What Is Parkinson’s Tremor?
A tremor on one side of the body — often in one hand — is typically one of the first signs of Parkinson’s disease, and is one of the most identifiable features of the disease. While the disease will ultimately spread to both sides of the body, it is frequently worse on the side where it begins.
Parkinson’s tremor tends to be most noticeable and severe when the shaking body part is at rest. The tremor often relaxes during sleep, or when the body part with the tremor is in use.
What Are Effective Treatments For Parkinson’s Disease?
Some medications show success in treating patients with Parkinson’s, including in helping with tremors, by helping boost (or substitute for) dopamine levels in the brain. Medications include various forms of carbidopa-levodopa, MAO B inhibitors, catechol O-methyltransferase inhibitors, amantadine, and dopamine agonists.
For particularly severe or progressed cases, deep brain stimulation via electrodes can sometimes be an effective treatment.
Can CBD Help Treat Parkinson’s Tremor?
In general, CBD has not been effectively studied as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease. However, some evidence has suggested CBD may help sleep patterns, psychosis, and perceived quality of life in individuals suffering from Parkinson’s. Additionally, some evidence has also suggested that CBD improves tremors in individuals with Parkinson’s. However, all studies have been small, with generally limited follow-up, and there is no apparent evidence that CBD slows the progression of the disease.
Ultimately, more research is necessary to understand whether CBD can effectively help individuals suffering from Parkinson’s, including specifically with tremors. Patients with Parkinson’s should consult with a doctor before attempting to determine the dosage of CBD for Parkinson’s tremor, or using CBD generally to treat Parkinson’s.
