Can Cannabis Help Parkinson's Disease?

Overview

Thanks to the discovery of the endocannabinoid system, today’s researchers have a significantly better understanding of how chemicals in the brain interact and communicate. They also have a better understanding of what happens when the body does not produce enough neurotransmitters to interact with their corresponding receptors.

Many researchers today credit the endocannabinoid system with maintaining the functions of homeostasis, the internal balance that living organisms need to survive. It’s the process of homeostasis that keep internal processes such as fluid balance, blood sugar levels, and temperature within an established range.

The messengers of the endocannabinoid system are called cannabinoids. The two main endocannabinoids that are produced in the body, anandamide and 2-AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol) are referred to as endocannabinoids because endo means within. The corresponding endocannabinoid receptors located throughout the body are simply named CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are found in their highest concentration within the brain and spinal cord. CB2 receptors are most often found within the peripheral nervous system and the immune system. Just a few of the many functions regulated by the endocannabinoid system include:

• Neuroprotection
• Muscle movement
• Energy and metabolism
• Pain perception and inflammation
• Cardiovascular function
• Digestive processes
• Immune system function
• Moods and emotions
• Sleep and sleep cycles

The endocannabinoid system messengers interact with the endocannabinoid receptors to initiate a response from the brain. The nature of the response is determined by the chemical composition of the message received.

 

The Endocannabinoid System

Ideally, the body would produce all the cannabinoids necessary to keep this essential regulatory system functioning efficiently, but under the influence of illness, injury, or stress, the demand for endocannabinoids can exceed the supply, creating an endocannabinoid deficiency.

Many researchers today believe endocannabinoid deficiencies are to blame for many difficult-to-treat conditions including migraine, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and several neurodegenerative disorders, raising questions about the therapeutic potential of plant-based cannabinoids for Parkinson’s disease.

The receptors of the endocannabinoid system also respond to the plant-based cannabinoids in cannabis. The phytocannabinoids in cannabis mimic the effects of cannabinoids produced in the body, potentially alleviating the effects of endocannabinoids deficiencies. It didn’t take researchers long to discover that the phytocannabinoids in cannabis plants, particularly CBD (cannabidiol), also influence several non-endocannabinoid receptors, including:

• Dopamine Receptors
  Dopamine is a neurotransmitter released by neurons to send signals to other nerve cells when a CB1 receptor is stimulated. The brain has several dopamine pathways that regulate muscle movement, behavior, cognition, and the perception of pleasure and pain. CBD is shown to increase the production of dopamine by activating the G-coupled protein receptor GPR6. 
• GABA Receptors
  Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter that blocks the impulses between nerve cells. When GABA receptors are activated by the neurotransmitter, the excitability between overactive nerve impulses is substantially reduced. It’s the effect on GABA receptors that may explain the interest in medical marijuana products for their potential to minimize the tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease.

CBD is also shown to be a potent antioxidant that researchers believe contributes to the neuroprotective properties of cannabis. Antioxidants could be particularly beneficial for those living with neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease.  While preliminary reports are encouraging, it’s important to note that there is still a significant amount of research that needs to be done to assess the full risks, benefits, and clinical applications of medical marijuana use.

Parkinson’s & Cannabis

The many plant-based cannabinoids in cannabis, particularly the non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD, are showing remarkable potential for influencing nervous system function. By interacting with key receptors throughout the body, CBD is shown to have analgesic, antiemetic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. The mechanisms are not yet fully understood because of the multiple targets affected, but many experts believe the antioxidant and neuroprotective properties beneficial to those living with neurodegenerative movement disorders. While the therapeutic potential of medical marijuana is encouraging, initial investigations are showing mixed results. Consider the following examples:

• An open-label study of CBD was conducted on six Parkinson’s patients experiencing symptoms of parkinsonian psychosis. All six patients found psychotic symptoms improved, confirming the antipsychotic properties of CBD. The same results were reported in Parkinson’s patients experiencing REM behavior sleep disorders. At higher doses, CBD shows a trend to delay the progression of dystonia, involuntary muscle contraction.
• Investigators divided 21 Parkinson’s patients into three groups: a control group, a group treated with 75 mg of CBD per day, and a third group taking 300 mg per day. Participants were assessed one week before beginning the trial for motor symptoms, general symptoms, and perceived well being and quality of life. While the trial concluded with no significant differences in general symptoms, perceived well-being scores significantly improved for those taking CBD. While the study suggests that CBD may have the potential to improve quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s disease, investigators cautioned that additional studies with a larger sample would be necessary before any determination could be made.
• Over a 31-day trial period, patients received an incrementally increasing daily dose of CBD, with the highest dose on the 17th day of the trial. Of the subjects who completed the trial, clinical rating scores decreased from 45.9 to 36.4, motor scores decreased from the initial 27.3 to 20.3, and mean rigidity scores decreased from 9.14 to 6.29. Data also suggested that CBD reduced irritability and minimized pain.

When viewing research and reports on the therapeutic potential of medical marijuana, it’s important to keep in mind that there are two distinctly different sources of CBD, marijuana and hemp. The plants are classified by their THC content. While THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) causes a psychotropic effect, it is also shown to work similarly to CBD for alleviating muscle spasms and pain. Many find the combined effects of THC and CBD superior to the effects of CBD alone.

In a survey of 84 Parkinson’s patients using cannabis, more than 46 percent experienced mild to substantial improvement of their symptoms. The Parkinson’s Foundation notes that most medical marijuana trials provide test subjects with capsules, tinctures, or nasal sprays containing either a combination of CBD and THC or CBD isolate.

 

ECS Function and Movement Disorders

During their investigations, researchers have found functions of the endocannabinoid system altered in those living with several movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease. Since cannabinoid receptors are found in particularly high numbers in areas of the brain controlling movement, researchers are focusing on the ability of plant-based cannabinoids to bind basal ganglia (and other) receptors to potentially modify the progression or ease the symptoms of the disease.

A significant number of studies have explored the role of cannabinoids, particularly the effects of CBD, which is shown to mimic the effects of the endocannabinoids produced in the body and initiate a response from the endocannabinoid receptors. It’s the interaction with the endocannabinoid receptors and several non-endocannabinoid receptors that explain the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiemetic, anxiolytic, antispasmodic, and neuroprotective properties of cannabis.

Research also suggests the effects of CBD are potentially enhanced by the additional cannabinoids found naturally in cannabis, including THC. The amplification of the combined effects of these additional, lesser known, cannabinoids is called the entourage effect.

While preliminary investigations suggest modulating cannabinoid signaling could significantly improve symptoms,13 trials have yielded mixed results. But patient surveys and anecdotal evidence still suggest that cannabis has the potential to benefit the motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Since cannabis products can interact with several medications, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider before using cannabis or hemp-derived products.