Medical Marijuana And How It Benefits Sufferers Of Parkinson’s Disease
If you live in one of the 29 states where medical marijuana is legal, such as California or New York, and you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, there is a good chance you may able to explore the many benefits of medical marijuana in dealing with your disease. If you’re newly diagnosed or are unsure of where to turn, keep reading. Our professional team at Serenity Medical Online stands ready to provide its services or simply answer your questions about medical marijuana and how it has successfully helped Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients in a number of ways.
The Push for a Cure Continues
Parkinson’s Disease is one area where medicine and science continue to make advances, especially with the use of medical cannabis. It is a very complex disease, and as you surely know, Parkinson’s Disease is difficult to treat. For years, many patientshave cited medical marijuana use as one way of coping with the pain. This type of treatment, to some, is still controversial; however, for those who have experienced the improvements cannabis brings, the controversy is the least of their concerns.
Parkinson’s Disease is found in the brain and more specifically, the endocannabinoid system. It is made up of a number of receptors linked to neurons, and in fact, regulate the thought process and some bodily functions.
The Role of Medical Marijuana For Parkinson’s Disease Patients
For some time now, Parkinson’s patients have shown tremendous benefits from using medical marijuana, especially as it relates to tremors, a common side effect in PD patients. There are indications that marijuana is neuroprotective, meaning it could prevent damage to the neurons that is caused by the disease. If this proves correct, it could be a breakthrough that could one day lead to a cure.
While tremors are most often cited as the worst aspect of the disease, the cannabinoids found in marijuana also help with other symptoms such as excess movement and bradykinesia (slowness due to the disease).
After years of research, studies, and different trials, it’s difficult to ignore the benefits of cannabis used by those with neurological conditions. Typically, patients inhale it through smoking or vaping, some use a spray while others prefer to mix it into their foods. In recent years, patches have been developed, as well as various teas and methods of including it in other beverages.
Is Medical Cannabis Right for You?
Keep in mind that the laws vary from state to state and on the federal level, medical marijuana is still illegal. That said, for those in states that allow it to be dispensed, patients report remarkable improvements in the quality of their lives, less pain, more energy, and a general sense of feeling better.
Only you can determine whether cannabis is right for you. We encourage our clients to discuss their options with their physicians, or they may wish to contact us. We have staff physicians who can answer questions and guide clients through the overwhelming data and information. For most people with debilitating illnesses, medical marijuana is what they say provides the difference. From feeling as though they could not get out of bed to feeling nauseous because of the medications they take for Parkinson’s; the vast majority of patients say they are happy they took that leap of faith. But, like these patients, this is a decision you’ll want to make for yourself based on your needs.
Remember, you’re not replacing the medications you take that addresses your Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis; rather, you are looking for ways to offset the side-effects and ensure more of your days are spent feeling better, not worse, because of your health.
Ultimately, we are our own best advocates and our goals should always be to bring on board the best professionals who can work with us to ensure our quality of life while putting into place the best treatment choices available. There are countless sources of verifiable data available across legitimate sites online. You want to be sure you’re on a site that values ethical education and encourages readers to reach out to those in the medical field who can provide accurate information about their disorders.
It is important for those with Parkinson’s Disease to know when medical breakthroughs are happening. Scientists and doctors are working to better understand this devastating disease so that they can best define a cure that reverses the damage and ensures no one else suffers. Until that happens, you owe it to yourself to live as comfortably as possible.