Cannabis Concerns?

If you've had Parkinson's for sometime, or perhaps were just diagnosed, you've probably had someone tell you about the benefits of cannabis. It's certainly in the news a lot! While the CBD (Cannabidiol) form of the hemp plant has shown benefit, THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol; from the marijuana plant) may have some drawbacks. CBD is not a hallucenogen, where as THC can be. Talk to your doctor to know whether you are a good candidate for either CBD or THC.

Medical marijuana may be helpful for pain, insomnia, anxiety, nausea, appetite, restless legs syndrome, muscle ramps or spasms, REM behavior disorder and agitation. There is no great evidence showing that it helps with most Parkinson's motor symptoms, although some patients report it helping smooth out "on/off" periods or dyskinesias. That may be primarily because it is a relaxant. Jamey's neurologists has recommended he take it only for sleep (he does have REM behavior disorder). While it would probably not be beneficial for Jamey's other symptoms at this point, he's currently taking a hallucinogenic sleep aid, so this should prove to be a better alternative.

The question that is often asked, particularly from older folks like us, is, "Will there be any side effects?" The answer is, yes, possibly. Side effects may include dizziness, low blood pressure, imbalance, falls, apathy, abdominal pain (rare), memory loss, dry mouth and confusion. Actually not much different than any medication you might already be taking. However, THC may be more likely to cause side effects such as paranoia, anxiety, and confusion. Since low blood pressure is often a side effect of your regular Parkinson's medication, you should definitely consult your physician before using cannabis, as it could cause your blood pressure to plummet to a dangerous level.

The mode of ingestion used will depend on the symptoms you want to address. For focal pain or muscle soreness, it's recommended you start with creams or patches. For other symptoms, oral formulations like drops, powders, or candies work well. There is also a pill form available if you don't need the benefits to be fast-acting. It is not recommended to ingest through smoking; while this can produce a more rapid onset of effects, it can also be associated with breathing issues. A vaporizer MAY reduce the risk for pulmonary problems.

If this is new to you (as it is to us), it might be good to start with pure CBD which will have less potential side effects. You can add THC if you feel it will help. Many patients report better benefits from products containing both CBD and THC, so you may want to gradually add THC if you deem it necessary. Jamey's neurologist recommended 80/20 CBD/THC in the long run, but we will start with pure CBD for now.

There is no need for a prescription, but you should know that medical marijuana is not strictly regulated. Be sure you buy from a reputable source and start with small doses. because there is no regulation, 10 mg may not always be actually 10 mg. It can be inconsistent and inaccurate. I would suggest you buy from the same manufacturer each time as well. That way there is less chance of an issue.

The dosage you use will depend on you, however, most recommend you start with a very low dose (half of what the dispensary recommends) and going up slowly in weekly increments. Many doctors will not recommend dosages. So, use your own discretion--start with less--you can always add more!

You can get medical marijuana at both medical and recreational dispensaries, as well as certain health food stores. I prefer the health food store near us because they have an expert on staff and I know I will always be able to get the same product.

If you have more questions or want more complete answers, go to www.weedmaps.com. Or go to https://medium.com click on More and then choose "Cannabis' from the Life section.They tell what the difference is between hemp, marijuana and cannabis plants.