{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/parkinson's/2","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2139-markdown","title":"Could Cannabis Provide Hope for Parkinson’s Patients?","slug":"could-cannabis-provide-hope-for-parkinsons-patients","content":"Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative [disorder](http://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons) that slowly cuts off a person’s ability to produce dopamine. A recent [study](https://www.medicaljane.com/2014/11/14/parkinsons-disease-and-medical-marijuana/) in Clinical Neuropharmacology found that Parkinson’s patients who smoked marijuana had significantly improved motor skills and less general impairments. Participants in the study found a decrease in tremors, rigidity, and dyskinesia, which is the difficulty performing voluntary movements. In 2014, the Journal of Psychopharmacology released a study where participants took 300 mg of CBD per day. The participants in this study found an increase in well being and quality of life, compared to patients who took a placebo. This study was significant because CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, was able to solely decrease the symptoms of patients. Another study in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry found that THC could prove useful in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. THC was found to aid in the prevention of damage caused by free radicals and activate a receptor that stimulates new mitochondria formation. \r\n\r\nThe studies that are currently available in relation to cannabis and Parkinson’s are just scratching the surface of the potential that marijuana has to help improve the lives of Parkinson’s sufferers. The individual symptoms associated with Parkinson’s, such as chronic pain, anxiety, and depression, can all be improved by the use of cannabis. \r\n\r\n### Pain\r\n\r\nRoughly 85% of people who [suffer](http://www.pdf.org/winter12_understanding_pain_pd) from Parkinson’s experience a large amount of chronic pain. Pain is often the first symptom that Parkinson’s patients face, sometimes even before they are formally diagnosed. Much of the pain experienced by Parkinson’s sufferers is caused by tissue that has been damaged due to tremors, rigidity, and inflammation. There is an almost 5000 year old recorded history of cannabis being used for chronic pain management. Cannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body, many in areas that are responsible for pain production. Cannabis stimulates these receptors to reduce the sensation of pain, “Medical cannabis is a very effective therapy for chronic pain patients because it affects people’s perception of pain, has the ability to mitigate the inflammatory process, and has been shown to affect voltage-gated sodium channels in nerves in a way similar to lidocaine,” reported Dr. Mark Rabe, the Medical Director of Centric Wellness, to [Medical Jane](https://www.medicaljane.com/2014/06/13/chronic-pain-and-the-theraputic-benefits-of-medical-cannabis/). \r\n \r\n### Anxiety & Depression\r\n\r\nCannabis can also be effective in alleviating anxiety and depression. It is [estimated](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16383211) that 40% of patients with Parkinson’s experience substantial anxiety in the form of various anxiety disorders. Depression symptoms are also experienced by around 60% of Parkinson’s patients and can range in their severity. It is [suggested](http://www.pdf.org/en/depression_pd) that chemical changes in the brain caused by Parkinson’s itself could be responsible for the development of depression. University of Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions recently [found](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/06/marijauna-depression_n_6622126.html) that endocannabinoids may be helpful in treating depression that results from chronic stress. Cannabis could be used to supplement naturally occurring endocannabinoids in the body, helping to relieve depression. Similarly, the endocannabinoid system plays a role in regulating anxiety. A study in 2011 showed that when participants with social anxiety disorder were given 600 mg of CBD before an anxiety inducing situation, they experienced a decrease in anxiety, cognitive impairment, and discomfort. \r\nCannabinoids are also neuro-protective agents, meaning that they have a chance to help prevent damage caused by Parkinson’s disease. As with many different conditions, more studies are necessary to provide clinical evidence for the efficacy of medical marijuana and Parkinson’s disease specifically. The individual symptoms of Parkinson’s, however, can be greatly decreased through the use of cannabis. Large amounts of anecdotal evidence also show that cannabis could greatly improve the quality of life of patients with Parkinson’s disease. \r\n\r\n[Photo Credit](https://www.flickr.com/photos/heatherbuckley/6171350805/in/photolist-apkMA6-aqjC3T-do9QH1-fdYWXc-fNW48c-fJfMFW-fK7iRh-fGdEm8-feesaG-2s6K39-joHNQk-bv3aE8-3YWNT-feeASq-FVKr54-4Amu3e-4AmtWg-fdZkrF-a86XcH-2KuUec-eb5FRy-qiJEpC-d71k9s-ny1hR4-nhQJWs-5Av5Ej-bGTZ8M-cL53To-5pjnXV-rg2f7A-JpoALS-gsZK5-nSc1Tu-qovcag-7GrnJa-5pjoeg-5pjnGa-2KuUep-ooKsF-d71jMu-fLN9is-rDERbX-4VBjq2-4CXatN-4CSUQg-4CSUQM-9ksQHw-aqPojH-bKKdz6-e7CWqT)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.4598540145985401,"src":"/static/74437898abd0c41b07227261fd69cf6d/ee604/746393d18471907e6b7bf224bb28de32.png","srcSet":"/static/74437898abd0c41b07227261fd69cf6d/69585/746393d18471907e6b7bf224bb28de32.png 200w,\n/static/74437898abd0c41b07227261fd69cf6d/497c6/746393d18471907e6b7bf224bb28de32.png 400w,\n/static/74437898abd0c41b07227261fd69cf6d/ee604/746393d18471907e6b7bf224bb28de32.png 800w,\n/static/74437898abd0c41b07227261fd69cf6d/2cf95/746393d18471907e6b7bf224bb28de32.png 831w","srcWebp":"/static/74437898abd0c41b07227261fd69cf6d/58556/746393d18471907e6b7bf224bb28de32.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/74437898abd0c41b07227261fd69cf6d/61e93/746393d18471907e6b7bf224bb28de32.webp 200w,\n/static/74437898abd0c41b07227261fd69cf6d/1f5c5/746393d18471907e6b7bf224bb28de32.webp 400w,\n/static/74437898abd0c41b07227261fd69cf6d/58556/746393d18471907e6b7bf224bb28de32.webp 800w,\n/static/74437898abd0c41b07227261fd69cf6d/e8cc8/746393d18471907e6b7bf224bb28de32.webp 831w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1931-markdown","title":"Cannabis and ADD/ADHD","slug":"cannabis-and-addadhd","content":"Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is fraught with\r\ndistractibility and hyperactivity. Attention deficit disorder, or ADD,\r\nhas similar symptoms but without the hyperactivity. The [Centers for\r\nDisease Control and\r\nPrevention](http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html) reports these two\r\nconditions cost \\$3.7 billion a year in lost work. Both are treated\r\nmedically with psychostimulants like Adderall, Ritalin and Concerta, but\r\nthey come with side effects including headaches, loss of appetite,\r\nrestlessness, agitation, dry mouth, constipation and insomnia, In some\r\ncases, these drugs can cause heart palpitations and increase blood\r\npressure. They may also be habit forming.\r\n\r\nHow ADD/ADHD Affects the Brain\r\n------------------------------\r\n\r\nOne of the key physiological issues with ADD/ADHD is the shortage of\r\ndopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical neurotransmitter utilized\r\nin cognitive processes like attention, memory retention and focus.\r\nConditions like Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia and restless leg\r\nsyndrome tie back to dopamine levels as well.\r\n\r\nWhy Cannabis May Work as an Alternative\r\n---------------------------------------\r\n\r\nAlthough there is not a lot of research to prove that medical marijuana\r\nis a suitable alternative treatment, initial trials show that it is a\r\npossibility. Current therapeutic treatments stimulate dopamine\r\nproduction, improving attention in the process, but it comes at a cost\r\ndue to the potentially serious side effects. David Bearman, MD, a\r\npioneer in the field of administrative medicine and cannabinology,\r\nsuggests that the cannabinoids found in marijuana interact with the\r\nbrain's dopamine management system by increasing the availability of the\r\nneurotransmitter.\r\n\r\nWith ADHD, the brain becomes overwhelmed with information. If taken\r\ncorrectly, medical marijuana could work therapeutically to correct the\r\ndopamine balance. Cannabis and Ritalin have different mechanisms, but\r\nproduce very similar results.\r\n\r\nDrugs like Ritalin bind with dopamine to prevent a breakdown of the\r\nchemical, in a sense increasing the level available as well. The\r\ncannabinoids found in cannabis could correct the dopamine deficiency by\r\nincreasing its availability when properly dosed. The effect is similar\r\nto psychostimulants, but without unpleasant side effects.\r\n\r\nMedical science is currently looking deeper for anecdotal evidence that\r\ncannabis is an effective and safe treatment for ADD/ADHD, adding these\r\ntwo conditions to the long list of benefits from the therapeutic use of\r\ncannabis.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/ellea/4955341641/in/photolist-8xTqqR-4akN1M-5FN43a-9fMEnF-pPDNC-nF6g2k-6eUi6S-8b5N4M-eb4z1n-7ky25p-b8MpFk-dSUpFP-kN6GJk-kC3drB-dc7hie-hW9Du-8GVrXg-8GVq6V-8GYxBL-8GsJok-8GVujV-8GYApE-8GVtwi-8GVtrg-8GYBfm-8GVtfi-8GVt86-8GVt2X-8GVsSz-8GYADU-8GVsCP-8GVsq2-8GYAdd-8GVse6-8GYzZC-bk9tfm-4cdCjt-8GYzJf-8GVrDV-8GVrsk-8GVrkn-8GVqhZ-8GVqci-8GYxY9-8GVpSK-8GYxJs-8GVpr4-8GVpkR-8GYxeG-8GVpbc)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5384615384615385,"src":"/static/1a3ab3ee615bddb8a74543352328ab46/14b42/ccafe1aa1046767f6867c6e85686bf5b.jpg","srcSet":"/static/1a3ab3ee615bddb8a74543352328ab46/f836f/ccafe1aa1046767f6867c6e85686bf5b.jpg 200w,\n/static/1a3ab3ee615bddb8a74543352328ab46/2244e/ccafe1aa1046767f6867c6e85686bf5b.jpg 400w,\n/static/1a3ab3ee615bddb8a74543352328ab46/14b42/ccafe1aa1046767f6867c6e85686bf5b.jpg 800w","srcWebp":"/static/1a3ab3ee615bddb8a74543352328ab46/58556/ccafe1aa1046767f6867c6e85686bf5b.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/1a3ab3ee615bddb8a74543352328ab46/61e93/ccafe1aa1046767f6867c6e85686bf5b.webp 200w,\n/static/1a3ab3ee615bddb8a74543352328ab46/1f5c5/ccafe1aa1046767f6867c6e85686bf5b.webp 400w,\n/static/1a3ab3ee615bddb8a74543352328ab46/58556/ccafe1aa1046767f6867c6e85686bf5b.webp 800w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1890-markdown","title":"Marijuana for the Management of Parkinson's disease","slug":"marijuana-for-the-management-of-parkinsons-disease","content":"Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder. People afflicted with Parkinson's will\r\ngradually have a tougher time performing normal tasks like walking and\r\ntalking as the disease progresses. This disorder is very common among older ages and it is related\r\nto Alzheimer's. Both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are caused by a loss of\r\nneurons in the brain. Parkinson's is specifically caused by the\r\ndestruction of dopaminergic neurons in the area of the brain responsible\r\nfor regulating movement. Dopaminergic neurons are cells within the\r\nnervous system responsible for the release of dopamine, a\r\nneurotransmitter that helps control movement and emotional responses.\r\nAccording to the [Parkinson's Disease\r\nFoundation](http://www.pdf.org/en/parkinson_statistics), approximately\r\n10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson's disease, with\r\nabout 4 percent being diagnosed before the age of 50. Men are more\r\nlikely than women to develop Parkinson's.\r\n\r\nEffects of Parkinson's\r\n----------------------\r\n\r\nPeople with Parkinson's experience a wide array of issues including poor\r\nbalance and coordination, insomnia, slowed movements, perceptible\r\ntremors in the face, jaw, hands and arms, stiff muscles, and general\r\nstiffness of the trunk, arms and leg areas. Consequently, those\r\nafflicted with this condition often develop depression and may also have\r\nproblems speaking, chewing, and swallowing. Current treatment options\r\ninclude the administration of medication, surgery, and Deep Brain\r\nSimulation (DBS), which involves the surgical implantation of electrodes\r\nin the brain. Levodopa and Carbidopa are the typical medications\r\nprescribed for managing Parkinson's. Levodopa can cause dyskinesia, an\r\nuncontrolled movement of the tongue, face, mouth, legs and arms.\r\n\r\nMarijuana for Parkinson's\r\n-------------------------\r\n\r\nMedical marijuana can help in the management of Parkinson's since the\r\nendocannabinoid system is strongly related to the release of dopamine in\r\nthe body. The cannabinoids in cannabis can help in achieving a positive\r\noutcome in the management of Parkinson's because cannabinoids work as\r\nneuro-protective agents, that guard against the destruction of neurons.\r\nA 2004 study by the [Prague Movement Disorder\r\nCenter](http://www.researchgate.net/publication/227621685_Survey_on_cannabis_use_in_Parkinson's_disease_Subjective_improvement_of_motor_symptoms),\r\nto study alternative treatment used by patients with Parkinson's,\r\nrevealed that 25 percent of 339 respondents had taken cannabis, with\r\n45.9 percent reporting an improvement in symptoms. A [2011 to 2012\r\nstudy](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24614667) by Israeli\r\nresearchers, to analyze the effect of cannabis on motor and non-motor\r\nsymptoms of Parkinson's disease in 22 patients, showed a significant\r\nimprovement in symptoms after only 30 minutes of smoking cannabis.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/edwinylee/3329153276/in/photolist-65bMhq-89aN84-dtJKcT-75k9jE-agQFtj-8XzGVW-bUN5pd-bUN5aY-bUN4Yj-bUN4N3-bUN4BE-bUN4rd-bUN4fb-bUN42G-bUN3PJ-bUN3vw-bUN3iw-bUN38w-bUN2WC-bUN2ML-bUN2DN-bUN2vy-bUN2nm-bUN2cf-bUN23A-bUN1RE-bUN1DC-bUN1sQ-bUN1j5-bUN16o-bUcb9K-bUMZDG-bUMZn9-bUMZcA-bUMZ3m-bUMYSE-bUMYFd-bUMYtG-bUMYjq-bUMY8u-bUMXVm-bUMXLj-bUMXxU-bUMXkY-bUMX7W-bUMWXo-bUMWLW-bUMWtW-bUMWiW-bUMWc7)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.7857142857142858,"src":"/static/ea52e898b2855a6ce7aca2c406f32524/14b42/c0ee1969ace4a011c3f5d44d96b2934e.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ea52e898b2855a6ce7aca2c406f32524/f836f/c0ee1969ace4a011c3f5d44d96b2934e.jpg 200w,\n/static/ea52e898b2855a6ce7aca2c406f32524/2244e/c0ee1969ace4a011c3f5d44d96b2934e.jpg 400w,\n/static/ea52e898b2855a6ce7aca2c406f32524/14b42/c0ee1969ace4a011c3f5d44d96b2934e.jpg 800w","srcWebp":"/static/ea52e898b2855a6ce7aca2c406f32524/58556/c0ee1969ace4a011c3f5d44d96b2934e.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/ea52e898b2855a6ce7aca2c406f32524/61e93/c0ee1969ace4a011c3f5d44d96b2934e.webp 200w,\n/static/ea52e898b2855a6ce7aca2c406f32524/1f5c5/c0ee1969ace4a011c3f5d44d96b2934e.webp 400w,\n/static/ea52e898b2855a6ce7aca2c406f32524/58556/c0ee1969ace4a011c3f5d44d96b2934e.webp 800w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1851-markdown","title":"Medical Marijuana Sweeps the Country: How Does the Public Feel?","slug":"medical-marijuana-sweeps-the-country-how-does-the-public-feel","content":"Two of the most conservative states in the United States, Texas and Georgia, recently passed medical marijuana legislation allowing very limited use of medical marijuana for a set number of conditions.  Texas has legalized the use medical marijuana in one case and form, cannabis oil that is high in CBD and low in THC for patients with intractable epilepsy. In order for patients to qualify they must have tried at least two traditional epilepsy treatments and found them ineffective.  Then their doctors may approve the use of medical marijuana. The doctors, however, cannot prescribe medical marijuana.  They simply may suggest the use of it under their right of the first amendment for free speech. \r\n\r\nIn Georgia, a short list of conditions was recently deemed as legal uses for medical marijuana.  This legislation was prompted after over 20 families from Georgia moved to Colorado temporarily to provide their children with medical marijuana products to aid in the decrease of seizures associated with epilepsies.  In addition to epilepsies, the law in Georgia allows access for patients with end-stage ALS, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and cancer.  \r\n\r\nIn both these states, obtaining medical marijuana is still a difficult process.  Both of these conservative states have sent the message that marijuana is medicine, but they limit the conditions which it should be used for.  Both of these states are recognizing the benefit of medical marijuana, even thought the roll out is slow and there is still some widespread resistance.  The wave of changing ideas in the United States cannot be denied, but there is still widespread worry about the implications of medical marijuana coming into communities all over the country in larger amounts.  Of course, there are added concerns because marijuana is still a federally illegal substance. \r\n\r\nAcross the United States 78% of the population is in favor of medical marijuana.  Despite the continuing lack of medical studies conducted within the United States, testimonies across the United States have provided the US population with encouragement to be in favor of medical marijuana. Only 43% of the US population, however, is in favor of recreational marijuana. An impressive 90% of the US population believes that people should be educated by a knowledgable doctor before purchasing medical marijuana.  In states, however, where medical marijuana is new, access to educated primary doctors can be difficult. Many of the opposition that still exists to medical marijuana regards the unknowns of medical marijuana and how it can effect the youth population. \r\n\r\nA momentous study was released recently showing no increase in teen marijuana smoking in the 21 states which have passed medical marijuana laws.  The study was conducted between 1991 and 2014.  A survey of 1 million students in the 8th, 10th, and 12th grade were asked about their medical marijuana usage each year.  Overall cannabis usage of 8th graders decreased since the pass of the laws.  The reason for this is thought to be that young students view marijuana as medical rather than recreational.  Marijuana use of high school students has remained stagnant between 2011 and 2013 when many of the medical marijuana bills were implemented.  \r\n\r\nViews and opinions of medical marijuana have changed drastically in the past few years, from states passing medical marijuana bills from being the outcasts to the norms.  The most important factor in this change among the american public is the recognition of marijuana as a medicine for a myriad of conditions.  Medical marijuana, though not nationally legal, has become recognized for its medicinal qualities, especially in pain and seizure relief. Medical marijuana has been legitimized and with that there have been positive affects. Patients are able to access the cannabis they need to aid with medical conditions and has changed the way younger patients view marijuana, no longer as a recreational drug but a medical drug. Though more states are allowing access to medical marijuana, access is still limited in some places.  Places like Texas, Georgia, and Illinois still must find proper ways to roll out their program, as well as expand their programs to assist as many patients as possible. Even though it is legal in some states, patients struggle to obtain the products they need.  Each step in the progress of medical marijuana legitimization is positive, but much more can be done in bringing people the medical assistance they need.  \r\n\r\n[photo source](https://www.flickr.com/photos/gigaboss/902459209/in/photolist-2nKkFx-f8YDHj-8z3JFq-8Ct96m-eyLv4e-9wfMAo-61ZSGe-a7A86D-a7A7Yc-at3Mi3-avvBdx-avvBkg-7JcaBQ-d7Wrtu-cfT4S9-a7CZUU-dCnR4x-aiEZS5-aiF11L-atSngn-9sWCe4-9sWFu6-9sWDPZ-9sWCNz-9sZxyG-9sWEWP-9sZDbs-9sZyGN-9sWy4T-9sZEfW-eyPRzC-eyMf7T-eyLPM6-eyQ96U-eyMwfV-eyPJyd-eyPBeq-eyQgt3-eyQbHS-eyPZKQ-eyQrtY-eyLL1D-eyMmzB-eyQjWN-eyPFrE-eyM4Tc-eyLHwa-eyPJib-eyQt4h-eyLJ3e)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.492537313432836,"src":"/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/14b42/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/f836f/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.jpg 200w,\n/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/2244e/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.jpg 400w,\n/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/14b42/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.jpg 800w,\n/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/47498/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.jpg 1200w,\n/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/ef4cc/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.jpg 1354w","srcWebp":"/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/58556/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/61e93/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.webp 200w,\n/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/1f5c5/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.webp 400w,\n/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/58556/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.webp 800w,\n/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/99238/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.webp 1200w,\n/static/239c1205452954b993246d2728e50d75/4a390/4ab854f43d916bb9d9c75d38b11a6db1.webp 1354w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":12,"numPages":2,"currentPage":2,"id":5611,"name":"Parkinson's","slug":"parkinson's","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}