Getting a North Carolina Medical Marijuana Card for Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a disease that causes tremors, muscle stiffness, and difficulty with speech and movement. Parkinson’s disease is chronic and will become worse with time, though medications are available to help lessen some of the symptoms.
Parkinson’s disease is rising in the United States, and in 2019 it was responsible for over 1,100 deaths in North Carolina alone.
There is no cure currently available for Parkinson’s disease, however some of the symptoms can be treated with pharmaceutical medications, lifestyle changes, or changes to diet.
Most treatment plans for Parkinson’s disease attempt to reduce the symptoms of the condition while providing for a higher quality of life.
When a medical marijuana program is established in North Carolina, Parkinson’s disease will likely be on the list of qualifying conditions because it can help relieve some symptoms, including tremors and depression.
What are the Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s Disease Affects Older Populations More
Parkinson’s disease is most commonly diagnosed around the age of 60, although it can affect anyone at any age.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease typically include shaking or tremors, difficulty with movement and speech, difficulty swallowing, and stiff muscles, although symptoms can vary by patient.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that causes cells in the brain to die prematurely, which leads to the malfunction of neurotransmitters that are usually responsible for many important functions like mood regulation, comprehension, and movement.
Parkinson’s Can Cause Dopamine Depletion, Which May Lead to Depression
Another common symptom of Parkinson’s disease is a depletion of dopamine, an important chemical responsible for how pleasure is experienced. A Parkinson’s disease patient can have severely depleted levels of dopamine, which can lead to many problems with emotion, mood, thoughts of suicide, and depression.
Can Medical Marijuana Help with Parkinson’s Disease?
Medications Available for Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
While there are several pharmaceutical medications available to treat some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, there is no known cure, and no medication that is known to slow the progression of the disease.
In some cases, Parkinson’s disease medications can also come with significant side effects that warrant concern, causing more confusion as to how to treat the condition while keeping quality of life high.
Medical marijuana is one alternative medicine that has potential to be added to the Parkinson’s disease treatment regimen and may offer significant benefits for not only the symptoms of Parkinson’s, but possibly with the progression of the disease as well.
Using Medical Marijuana for Parkinson’s Disease
Medical marijuana offers a variety of benefits for patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease, including improved mood, sleep, and appetite, as well as decreased nausea and vomiting that could be caused by some traditional Parkinson’s medications.
There are also studies that suggest that Parkinson’s disease patients may see slightly improved motor skills with cannabis use, and that cannabis is typically tolerated very well by Parkinson’s patients.
Inflammation in the brain is likely one of the mysterious reasons why Parkinson’s develops and progresses, and cannabis has many known anti-inflammatory properties. Cannabis also has neuroprotective properties that could help with Parkinson’s disease, although more studies need to be done.
Get Your North Carolina Marijuana Card
Parkinson’s disease is a serious condition that requires extensive treatment and care, and medical marijuana may offer significant benefits for patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
It’s our hope that patients will soon be able to apply for a medical marijuana certification and begin receiving the compassionate treatment that they deserve.
In the meantime, you can reserve an appointment with a certified North Carolina marijuana doctor. We’ll keep you up to date on all the latest developments in the NC medical marijuana program, and you’ll get $25 off your visit when the time arrives!