Treating Parkinson's With Texas Medical Cannabis Program

Although medical marijuana is growing in popularity, there is much controversy in regard to the utilization of cannabis products in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as MS and Parkinson’s disease.

There is also substantial lab, clinical, and anecdotal evidence to endorse the utilization of cannabis for these terrible diseases, as well as a host of other neurodegenerative disorders.

Here are some quotes and examples from these studies. Links to these and other studies can be found at the end of this article.

• Dr. Sanchez-Ramos indicated in an early study, that cannabinoids facilitate neuroprotective and anti-oxidative actions. The report makes the claim that cannabinoids can potentially “slow the onset and progression of neurodegenerative conditions.”
  
• In a research review from 2012, Dr. Andras Bilkei-Gorzo said: “At first sight, it is striking that cannabinoid agonists, substances known to impair cognitive functions, could be beneficial in neurodegenerative cognitive disorders. However, [we found] cannabinoid receptor activation could reduce oxidative stress and excitotoxicity, suppress neuroinflammatory processes, and thus alleviate the symptoms of neurodegenerative motor and cognitive diseases.”
• The British Journal of Pharmacology concluded in March 2014 that: “A common issue with neurological disorders is the chronic inflammation of neurons. Both THC and CBD have been shown to produce strong anti-inflammatory responses that may trigger the onset of neurological diseases. Furthermore, THC and CBD have antioxidant properties and are known to protect against the degeneration of neurons and nerve cells in the brain.”
• In August 2015, in an evidence-based systematic review, the American Academy of Neurology reported the efficacy or probable efficacy of cannabinoids for the treatment of neurological disorders. This review was based on randomized, controlled trials in which cannabis demonstrated the ability to alleviate spasticity and central pain associated with neurodegenerative disorders. And in 1998, the British House of Lords presented this evidence, prompting one lawmaker to state: ”We have seen enough evidence to convince us that a doctor might legitimately want to prescribe cannabis to relieve… the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and that the criminal law ought not to stand in the way.”
• The data were examined by Scientists from London’s Institute of Neurology who stated: “In addition to symptom management, cannabis may also slow down the neurodegenerative processes that ultimately lead to chronic disability in multiple sclerosis and probably other neurodegenerative diseases.”
• The Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences reported a similar outcome in one of their studies. They reported that 96 percent of the participants using cannabis products experienced profound relief from their MS symptoms. The authors concluded: “This is an exciting time for cannabinoid research. There is a growing amount of data to suggest that cannabis can alleviate symptoms like muscle spasticity and pain in patients with MS.”
• In a UK-based survey from 2005, it was discovered that 43 percent of MS sufferers were administered cannabis products for the relief of symptoms. Almost three-quarters of said patients reported an improvement of their symptoms such as pain and spasticity.
• And finally, GW Pharmaceuticals, a company based in the UK, has been successfully developing cannabinoid-based medications. In clinical trials, GW’s Sativex appeared to have greater efficacy than a placebo at reducing spasticity and pain. The results were so impressive, that the Canadian government gave their approval to market Sativex as a protocol for MS.