Brain & Nervous System Parkinson's Disease Treatment What to Know About Marijuana and Parkinson’s Disease as CAM Therapy By Sarah Jividen, RN Sarah Jividen, RN LinkedIn Sarah Jividen, RN, BSN, is a freelance healthcare journalist and content marketing writer at Health Writing Solutions, LLC. She has over a decade of direct patient care experience working as a registered nurse specializing in neurotrauma, stroke, and the emergency room. Learn about our editorial process Published on September 16, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD LinkedIn Nicholas R. Metrus, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and neuro-oncologist. He currently serves at the Glasser Brain Tumor Center in Summit, New Jersey. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Medical Marijuana? Effects on the Body THC and CBD Use How to Use Dosage Legality Considerations Frequently Asked Questions People with Parkinson's disease are becoming more interested in learning how medical marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) can relieve symptoms associated with the disease. Medical marijuana is a type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) that has not traditionally been used in the medical community. But in recent years, more states have authorized the use of marijuana for both recreational and medicinal use. As a result, Parkinson's patients are asking their physicians if medical cannabis is an effective treatment for their disease. Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease with no cure, but some studies have shown that medical marijuana helps relieve symptoms. Learn more about the benefits and considerations that come with using marijuana as a therapy for Parkinson's disease. Verywell / Michela Buttignol What Is Medical Marijuana? Medical marijuana is cannabis that's prescribed by a physician to treat or provide relief for a medical condition. There are around 400 chemicals in the cannabis plant, and more than 60 of them are referred to as “cannabinoids.” The “high” marijuana users get is primarily due to the most psychoactive cannabinoid in the plant called tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Cannabinol, or CBD, is the other cannabinoid, which is used in medical marijuana. CBD does not cause a “high” when taken alone and, in fact, moderates the psychoactive effects. Research is being done to determine how medical marijuana can help treat or relieve symptoms of various diseases, including Parkinson's disease. How Does Medical Marijuana Affect the Body? Marijuana affects the body through neurotransmitters, which are the chemical messengers of the nervous system. Various factors can stimulate neurotransmitter activity, initiating a set of physiological responses. In cannabis, it is mainly THC or CBD binding to endocannabinoid receptors that produce new physiological reactions in the body. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is one of the most important neurotransmitter systems in the body. It utilizes cannabinoid receptors located throughout the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Cannabis works to “turn on” endocannabinoid neurotransmitters through activity at these receptors. The Endocannabinoid System The endocannabinoid system is not fully understood. However, experts know that it helps to regulate various body functions such as mood, sleep, memory, appetite, and fertility. While everyone has an ECS, medical cannabis's direct interactions with it may affect individuals differently. There are two types of cannabinoids involved in cannabis use: Endocannabinoids are chemical messengers that affect the cannabinoid receptors in humans and animals. "Endo" means produced in the body system.Phytocannabinoids are chemical messengers found in cannabis and hemp plants. "Phyto" refers to plants. Cannabis and hemp are legally classified based on THC content. Hemp is a plant that contains 0.3% or less THC. Cannabis plants contain more than 0.3% THC. Pros and Cons of Medical Marijuana How THC and CBD Work Cannabinoids from cannabis activate the ECS by binding to endocannabinoid receptors throughout the brain and body. The two most affected by cannabis are: CB1 receptors: Found in the brain in high levels, they are responsible for marijuana’s psychoactive properties, or the “high” effect.CB2 receptors: Found throughout the body, they affect pain levels and inflammation. THC strongly activates CB1 receptors, triggering a feeling of euphoria. This activation also increases blood flow to the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is the area that controls the ability to focus, as well as our motor skills, attention, memory, and decision-making abilities. THC also interacts with CB2 receptors, providing added analgesic (pain relieving), muscle relaxing, and antiemetic effects (helping with nausea and vomiting). CBD activates both CB1 and CB2 receptors, although less strongly than THC. Although its CB1 and CB2 receptor activation does not produce a “high,” it has been shown to interact with additional receptors in the body and have calming and anti-inflammatory effects. For this reason, CBD has been used to treat pain, anxiety, and seizures. Medical Marijuana as a Treatment for Parkinson’s Symptoms Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the central nervous system that causes tremors, slow movement, stiffness, and loss of balance. Because marijuana directly affects the central and peripheral nervous systems, scientists have studied the effect of marijuana as a treatment for Parkinson’s symptoms. A 2020 review of 14 different studies acknowledged evidence that medical marijuana provides a reduction in anxiety, tremors, and involuntary or erratic movements. However, the researchers concluded that there is insufficient evidence to recommend medical marijuana use as part of Parkinson's treatment. A 2017 study with patients who used medical marijuana over three months to manage Parkinson's symptoms found that the treatment improved their symptoms and did not cause major adverse effects. Other research has shown that medical marijuana may be able to help with some Parkinson’s disease symptoms, including: Bradykinesia (decreased movement ability) Rigidity Tremors Sleep problems Pain Cannabis use for patients with Parkinson's has also been shown to help improve mood, memory, and fatigue. Talk to Your Physician The use of medical marijuana remains controversial, and there is no official guidance on its use at present. Though there are studies suggesting potential benefits of medical marijuana for Parkinson's disease, patients should discuss their treatment options with their physicians and whether medical marijuana is appropriate for them. Possible Benefits Medical marijuana use can provide additional benefits for patients with Parkinson's, including symptom relief for: AnxietyPain Poor sleep Nausea Possible Side Effects As with any medication, there are potential side effects of medical marijuana. Negative effects of medical marijuana use for Parkinson’s can include: Cognitive impairment, such as issues with attention, focus, and memory Increased appetite and weight gain Depression Lung damage (if smoking) Increased heart rate Dependence or potential withdrawal symptoms Drug Interactions There may also be potential negative interactions that medical marijuana may have with other medications. Check with your physician before taking a medical marijuana product. How to Use Cannabis for Parkinson’s There are many ways to use medical marijuana. If you are considering using medical marijuana to treat Parkinson's symptoms, speak with your physician about the best products and applications for your specific case. Forms of medical marijuana include: TincturesCapsulesLozengesDermal patchesDermal spraysEdiblesVaporizingSmoking Dosage There is no universal marijuana or CBD dosage. Studies are being done to determine how patients respond to the effects of marijuana differently. Longer clinical trials with more patient involvement are needed to establish dosage parameters, so speak to your physician about the right dosing options for you. Legality Medical marijuana is legal in 36 states and four territories as of May 2021. There are some restrictions regarding THC content in many states. Recreational marijuana is legal in 18 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia as of July 2021. Although CBD does not produce a psychedelic effect, it is not legal in all 50 states, even if it's sourced from hemp containing less than 0.3% THC. The reason is that each state has its own Controlled Substances Act (CSA) that considers CBD to be marijuana in some states. Considerations Before Buying Marijuana Products Marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug, meaning that it is a drug with a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use. For that reason, it is still illegal to use in much of the country. If you are considering using marijuana for medical purposes, there are a few things you need to consider, such as: THC and CBD content levelsPublished and accessible Certificates of Analysis (CoA), which certify the test results of the product from the manufacturerOrganic vs. notWhere it's sourcedMethods of consumption A Word From Verywell Living with Parkinson’s disease can be challenging and stressful. While there are treatments available to help you manage your symptoms, you may want to discuss the possibility of medical marijuana as part of your treatment plan. Before taking any medication for symptom management, discuss your options with your physician, and whether medical marijuana is appropriate for your disease case. Frequently Asked Questions How do you get a medical marijuana card for Parkinson’s? Every state has its own rules and regulations for getting a medical marijuana card. If you live in areas where medical marijuana is legal, you may want to consider the following options:Talk to your primary care physicianFind a certified medical marijuana professional in your stateRegister with your state department if required in your state Can CBD help with Parkinson’s tremors? Some studies show that CBD can help with tremors and other Parkinson’s disease symptoms. However, more studies are needed. Speak with your physician if you are considering medical cannabis for tremor relief. What’s the most effective CBD oil for Parkinson’s? Many companies produce CBD oil, and there are no studies available that favor one brand over another. If you are taking CBD oil, it is essential that you follow your physician's prescription. CBD oil is most commonly taken as a sublingual drop (under the tongue). CBD oil is an alternative for patients who don’t like taking medication in a pill form. What’s the link between cannabis and dopamine? The THC in medical marijuana stimulates neurons that signal the release of dopamine neurotransmitters at higher levels than usual. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 12 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Atakan Z. Cannabis, a complex plant: different compounds and different effects on individuals. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. 2012;2(6):241-254. doi:10.1177/2045125312457586 Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Cannabinoids. Lu H-C, Mackie K. An introduction to the endogenous cannabinoid system. Biological Psychiatry. 2016;79(7):516-525. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.07.028 Andre CM, Hausman J-F, Guerriero G. Cannabis sativa: the plant of the thousand and one molecules. Front Plant Sci. 2016;7. doi:10.3389/fpls.2016.00019 Vučković S, Srebro D, Vujović KS, Vučetić Č, Prostran M. Cannabinoids and pain: new insights from old molecules. Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:1259. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.01259 Bougea A, Koros C, Simitsi A-M, Chrysovitsanou C, Leonardos A, Stefanis L. Medical cannabis as an alternative therapeutics for Parkinsons’ disease: Systematic review. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2020;39:101154. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101154 Balash Y, Bar-Lev Schleider L, Korczyn AD, et al. Medical cannabis in parkinson disease: real-life patients’ experience. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2017;40(6):268-272. doi:10.1097/WNF.0000000000000246 Babayeva M, Assefa H, Basu P, Chumki S, Loewy Z. Marijuana compounds: a nonconventional approach to parkinson’s disease therapy. Parkinson's Disease. 2016;2016:e1279042. doi:10.1155/2016/1279042 Kindred JH, Li K, Ketelhut NB, et al. Cannabis use in people with Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis: A web-based investigation. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2017;33:99-104. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2017.07.002 Patel RS, Kamil S, Shah MR, Bhimanadham NN, Imran S. Pros and cons of marijuana in treatment of parkinson’s disease. Cureus. 2019;11(6). doi:10.7759/cureus.4813 National Conference of State Legislatures. State medical marijuana laws. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Drug scheduling.