PBG GLOBAL

Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system after Alzheimer’s disease [1]. It typically develops between the ages of 55 and 65 and is estimated to occur in 1–2% of people over the age of 60 (the percentage rises to 3.5% at age 85–89) [2],[3],[4]. It causes motor problems (akinesia, bradykinesia, tremors, postural instability, and rigidity). We don’t know exactly what causes Parkinson’s, but it’s thought to be the loss of certain pathways in the brain [5]. Depending on the stage of the disease, drug treatments may include monoamine oxidase B inhibitors, dopamine agonists, Levodopa-containing medications, and anticholinergic drugs. Unfortunately, no treatments halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease, but some can slow it [6].

CBD and Parkinson's

CBD exhibits the ability to exert a neuroprotective mechanism that is CB receptor independent [7] and can slow the progression of the disease [8]. This observation is reinforced by another study showing that CBD reduces neuronal cell death in the brain after exposure to neurotoxins [9]. A synthetic analog of CBD (Abn-CBD) also showed an ability to alleviate the symptoms of a chronic Parkinson’s mouse model through the activation of GPR55, a novel cannabinoid receptor [10], suggesting that this receptor may be necessary for future therapies [11]. These preclinical data suggest that CBD could be a potential pharmacological agent in the treatment of Parkinson’s, especially when considering its complex mechanism of action that is different from the approved medications and its excellent safety profile.

Dosing recommendations for Parkinson’s disease patients

Is CBD safe?

Yes. CBD is considered safe for Parkinson’s.

What is the recommended daily dose?

Start with 1 mg/kg/day and titrate to effect
- possibly as high as
20 mg/kg/day. Read General recommendations for more information!

Should I take it before or after a meal?

CBD should be taken during, or after a meal.

How many times a day should I take CBD?

Take your dose twice a day. Half of it in the morning and the other half in the evening.

Are there any known drug interactions?

Some. Read Side effects for more information.

Bibliography

1. Dorsey ER, Constantinescu R, Thompson JP, et al: Projected number of people with Parkinson disease in the most populous nations, 2005 through 2030. Neurology 68: 384-386, 2007.

2. de Lau LM and Breteler MM: Epidemiology of Parkinson's disease. The Lancet Neurology 5: 525-535, 2006.

3. de Rijk MC, Tzourio C, Breteler MM, et al: Prevalence of parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease in Europe: the EUROPARKINSON Collaborative Study. European Community Concerted Action on the Epidemiology of Parkinson's disease. Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry 62: 10-15, 1997.

4. Twelves D, Perkins KS and Counsell C: Systematic review of incidence studies of Parkinson's disease. Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society 18: 19-31, 2003.

5. Barker RA and Foltynie T: The future challenges in Parkinson’sDisease. Journal of Neurology 251: 361-365, 2004.

6. Konstantinov S and Momekov G: PHARMACOTHERAPY (BG), Sofia, Softtrade, 2015.

7. Fernández-Ruiz J, Sagredo O, Pazos MR, et al: Cannabidiol for neurodegenerative disorders: important new clinical applications for this phytocannabinoid? British journal of clinical pharmacology 75: 323-333, 2013.

8. García-Arencibia M, González S, de Lago E, Ramos JA, Mechoulam R and Fernández-Ruiz J: Evaluation of the neuroprotective effect of cannabinoids in a rat model of Parkinson's disease: Importance of antioxidant and cannabinoid receptor-independent properties. Brain Research 1134: 162-170, 2007.

9. Sagredo O, Ramos JA, Decio A, Mechoulam R and Fernández-Ruiz J: Cannabidiol reduced the striatal atrophy caused 3-nitropropionic acid in vivo by mechanisms independent of the activation of cannabinoid, vanilloid TRPV1 and adenosine A2A receptors. The European journal of neuroscience 26: 843-851, 2007.

10. Brown AJ: Novel cannabinoid receptors. Br J Pharmacol 152: 567-575, 2007.

11. Celorrio M, Rojo-Bustamante E, Fernández-Suárez D, et al: GPR55: A therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease? Neuropharmacology 125: 319-332, 2017.