CBD oil comes from cannabis, but it doesn’t get you high. Over the past few years, researchers have found that CBD oil has been shown to reduce pain, anxiety, and other symptoms in people with certain medical conditions. Though more research is needed, some experts also believe CBD could help treat Parkinson’s disease. Researchers say that CBD may be able to help treat symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and poor balance caused by Parkinson’s.
For many people with Parkinson’s disease, the prescription tremors are so severe they make it impossible to complete everyday tasks. While traditional treatments like deep brain stimulation can alleviate tremors, they can be expensive and not viable for everyone. So, people are trying alternative treatments like CBD oil. but does it work, and is it worth the risk?
What Is Parkinson’s Disease?
The symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) can vary greatly from person to person. However, most people who have PD experience one or more of the following symptoms: loss of muscle control, tremors, slowing of movement, stiffness, and problems with balance.
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects about 1.5 million people in the U.S.—and that number is climbing. Though there is no cure, there are treatments that can slow the progression of the disease, ranging from mild tremors to difficulty walking, speaking, and moving. An early diagnosis is critical because it can be treated much more effectively in the disorder’s early stages.
Ways To Use CBD For Parkinson’s
If you’re new to CBD, you may be wondering how to take it safely if you have Parkinson’s disease or another movement disorder.
The following forms of CBD are available:
- Tinctures and oils are two common preparations. These forms of CBD can be ingested or absorbed sublingually because they are liquids (under the tongue). If you have trouble swallowing pills or chewing gummies, this might be a good alternative.
- Creams and lotions. CBD-infused lotions and creams may help hand and joint pain and stiffness, but the effects may not be felt for several hours.
- Capsules and tablets. Taking CBD in pill or capsule form may delay its effects, but it may be ideal for those with tremors that prevent them from accurately dosing a liquid form.
- Edibles. Popular CBD products include gummies. In addition, CBD can be found in various other foods, but the dosage may not be accurate. Edibles discreetly deliver CBD so are great for if you are in public settings.
- Vape pen. Vaporizing and inhaling CBD oil is possible. If you take this route, the effects will kick in almost immediately. Vaping, on the other hand, has the potential to harm lung tissue or worsen existing symptoms, such as coughing or a sore throat.
CBD Side Effects And Risks
Cannabis is a plant and its psychoactive ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is what gives people a “high.” However, not all cannabis contains THC. Some cannabis strains, referred to as CBD-rich strains, contain high levels of cannabidiol or CBD but lack any THC. CBD is a chemical compound with many different potential medical uses, including helping with pain and anxiety.
There are so many reasons people are using cannabidiol, or CBD, these days. CBD is used to treat various ailments, from pain to anxiety and more, and while some studies have shown that CBD can help treat these conditions, others have shown that CBD might make users sicker. Here are some common and minor side effects and risks you might experience when using CBD products.
- Dry Mouth
- Diarrhea
- Reduced Appetite
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue