Volume 28, Issue 154, December 2024

Evaluating the therapeutic potential of cannabis in Parkinson's Disease: An overview of the latest knowledge

Sara Hassan^1♦, Szymon Bienia¹, Aisha Hassan², Kamil Hassan³, Klaudia Konieczna⁴, Wafa Al-Batool⁵, Izabela Zarecka⁵, Jakub Leicht², Aleksandra Kossakowska², Paweł Godlewski²

¹Medical University of Silesia, 18 Medyków Street, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
²Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland
³Social Academy of Sciences in Łódź, Henryka Sienkiewicza 9, 90-113 Łódź, Poland
⁴Medical University of Silesia, Dr. Henryka Jordana 19, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland
⁵Wroclaw Medical University, wyb. Ludwika Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland

^♦Corresponding Author
Medical University of Silesia, 18 Medyków Street, 40-752 Katowice, Poland

ABSTRACT

The progressive brain damage associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) develops over an extended duration. This disease is characterized by motor symptoms, particularly bradykinesia, stiffness, and dystonia. There are also non-motor manifestations such as pain, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Levodopa and other common medications help relieve motor symptoms but are less effective at delaying the progression of the disease. This study reviews possible medical uses of cannabis for Parkinson's disease treatment. The key aspects to consider are its functionality and its advantages and drawbacks. Cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), among other plant-based compounds of cannabis, modulate the endocannabinoid system. Evidence suggests that cannabinoids may reduce neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, two processes that lead to neuronal damage. In clinical studies, both motor and non-motor symptoms improve with cannabis. It turns out that this method of treatment is an effective solution among people suffering especially from rigidity, tremors, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. However, the use of cannabis can result in drawbacks, including psychiatric effects and addiction.

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, Marijuana, cannabinoids, addiction

Medical Science, 2024, 28, e156ms3479

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v28i154.e156ms3479

Published: 30 December 2024