Medical Marijuana For Parkinson's In Tennessee
Does Parkinson’s Disease Qualify for Medical Marijuana in Tennessee?
Parkinson’s is a nervous system disorder that causes tremors, stiffness, or slow movement, and it will eventually worsen over time.
It’s estimated that 1 million people in the United States are living with Parkinson's, with 60,000 Americans being diagnosed each year.
Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, treatment plans usually revolve around reducing symptoms such as tremors, stiff muscles, and impaired balance, as well as preventing complications such as depression, eating problems and difficulty thinking.
Medical marijuana is approved in Tennessee for patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
3 Easy Steps
Medical Marijuana
Get approved to legally obtain, consume, transport and process medical marijuana from a licensed Tennessee marijuana dispensary.
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What is Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological condition that damages and eventually kills brain cells. The disease heavily impacts neurotransmitters that control movement, mood, and a host of other functions, leading to impaired coordination, muscle cramping, tremors, and difficulty with emotions and thought.
As neurons die due to Parkinson’s, they are not able to transmit appropriate signals throughout the brain, affecting a wide variety of functions, notably movement and mood.
People who suffer from the disease may also appear to have an abnormally stiff way of walking and faceless expressions.
This is possibly in part due to a severe lack of dopamine and other deficits with neurons, although scientists are still working out exactly how Parkinson’s starts and progresses.
What Are the Symptoms of Parkinson’s?
The most common symptoms of Parkinson’s are tremors, however patients may experience a range of symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, muscle pain, excessive blinking, drooling, or even chronic constipation.
Patients also report low blood pressure, stiff muscles, slowed or monotone speech, and stooped posture.
Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder, meaning it will get worse with time. Treatment plans typically include improving quality of life, reducing tremors and preventing complications, as well as dopaminergic medications to replace depleted dopamine.
Can Medical Marijuana Help with Parkinson’s?
Many medical marijuana patients report consuming cannabis can reduce tremors, boost mood, and improve quality of life, and there are even reports that cannabis may be especially helpful with Parkinson’s.
In 2014, researchers from Tel Aviv University conducted a study with 22 patients suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. The study showed that 30 minutes after smoking cannabis, patients improved significantly in their motor skills.
Additionally, cannabis may potentially ease symptoms such as slow movement, tremors, and muscle stiffness. Patients also reported significant improvement in pain relief and sleep.
Another study conducted in 2011 showed that cannabis has a promising pharmacological profile for improving motor functions with rats that have motor diseases. Cannabis also reduces oxidative stress in the brain cells of rats, which helps to protect them against neurodegenerative damage and death.
The neuroprotective properties of both THC and CBD suggest that cannabis may even protect neurons from damage and help them rejuvenate, which means that the plant could turn out to be helpful for slowing the progression of Parkinson’s Disease.
Become a Tennessee Cannabis Patient
Qualifying Tennessee patients will soon be able to meet with one of our certified physicians and get approved for medical cannabis treatment.
Reserve your appointment today and get $25 off when we start processing applications!
We’re dedicated to helping patients every step of the way, feel free to give us a call at 844-249-8714, and we can answer your questions about getting medical cannabis in Tennessee.