Medical Cannabis & Parkinson’s Disease: Could It Help Manage Symptoms?
This Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Day, we’re spotlighting a topic that’s becoming increasingly relevant to many living with this condition: the potential role of medical cannabis in symptom management.
There are over 153,000 people in the UK currently living with Parkinson’s. While each person’s experience is different, the symptoms—such as tremors, stiffness, pain, sleep disturbances, and changes in mood—can have a significant impact on daily life. And although conventional medications remain the mainstay of treatment, they don’t work for everyone.
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A Growing Interest in Medical Cannabis
In recent years, a number of patients who haven’t found relief through traditional therapies have explored cannabis-based treatments as an alternative way to manage their symptoms.
According to Parkinson’s UK:
- 26% of people with Parkinson’s have already tried cannabis-based products to ease their symptoms.
- Of those who haven’t tried them yet, 60% say they would consider it.
- Many of these patients report improvements in pain, sleep, tremors, and low mood, with some also noting an enhanced overall quality of life.
It’s important to remember that medical cannabis isn’t suitable for everyone, and more clinical research is needed. However, patient experiences and self-reported data are beginning to build a case for it being a promising complementary option, especially when standard approaches aren’t enough.
Understanding Eligibility
Parkinson’s disease affects around 1 in 37 people in the UK, and someone is diagnosed every two hours. While it most commonly affects those over 50, around 4% of patients are diagnosed earlier – and men are 1.5 times more likely to be affected than women.
If you or a loved one has Parkinson’s and conventional treatment hasn’t brought relief, you might be wondering whether medical cannabis could help. At CB1 Medical, we’re here to guide you through your options with expert-led care and tailored treatment plans.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re curious about whether medical cannabis could be part of your Parkinson’s management plan, our team is here to help. To learn more about your eligibility for medical cannabis, visit our eligibility checker.
