Weeding through the haze: a survey on cannabis use among people living with Parkinson’s disease in the US

Abstract

Symptomatic management of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is complex and many symptoms, especially non-motor symptoms, are not effectively addressed with current medications. In the US, cannabis has become more widely available for medical and recreational use, permitting those in the PD community to try alternative means of symptom control. However, little is known about the attitudes towards, and experiences with, cannabis use among those living with PD. To address this shortcoming, we distributed an anonymous survey to 7,607 people with PD in January 2020 and received 1339 responses (17.6%). 1064 complete responses were available for analysis. Respondents represented 49 states with a mean age of 71.2 years (±8.3) and mean PD duration of 7.4 years (±6.2). About a quarter of respondents (24.5%) reported cannabis use within the previous six months. Age and gender were found to be predictors of cannabis use in this sample (Age OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.93 to 0.97; Male OR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.03). Users reported learning about cannabis use from the internet/news (30.5%) and friends or other people with PD (26.0%). Cannabis users were more likely to report insufficient control of their non-motor symptoms with prescription medications than non-users (p = 0.03). Cannabis was primarily used for PD (63.6%) and was most often used to treat nonmotor symptoms of anxiety (45.5%), pain (44.0%), and sleep disorders (44.0%). However, nearly a quarter of users (23.0%) also reported they had stopped cannabis use in the previous six months, primarily due to a lack of symptom improvement (35.5%). Three quarters of respondents (75.5%) did not use cannabis, primarily because there was a lack of scientific evidence supporting efficacy (59.9%). Our results suggest that the lack of formal guidance or research evidence about cannabis for PD may in part underlie inconsistencies in both use and reported effectiveness.

Effects of Cannabis in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Another area that cannabis may have a benefit is on the alleviation of non-motor symptoms. One randomized study [36] A similar outcome was observed in a US survey [40].…”

“…Also, from a telephone survey of 39 PD patients taking medicinal cannabis approved by the Ministry of Health in Israel, 59% reported decrease in tremor symptoms [43] single CBD administration reduced anxiety in PD in sleep disorders after taking cannabis. 46%, 31%, and 15% respondents reported considerable, moderate, and slight improvement in sleep disorders with only 9% who did not [40].…”

“…An electronic survey in the US of 261 respondents with PD who were cannabis users in the past six months and taking various forms of cannabis be it THC, CBD or mixed taken orally found that 25% of these respondents reported considerable improvement in tremor, while 38% reported moderate improvement, 24% reported slight improvement and only 13% reported no improvement [40]. Also, from a telephone survey of 39 PD patients taking medicinal cannabis approved by the Ministry of Health in Israel, 59% reported decrease in tremor symptoms [43] single CBD administration reduced anxiety in PD in sleep disorders after taking cannabis.…”

“…In a telephonic survey in Israel of PD patients granted medicinal cannabis prescriptions, 64% reported improvement in pain [43]. Also, an electronic survey in the US of 261 respondents with PD reported substantial alleviation of pain after taking cannabis [40]. 35%, 36%, and 15% of respondents reported considerable, moderate, and slight reduction of pain with only 14% experienced no effect in reducing pain.…”

“…40% of these respondents were taking cannabis via inhalation, and at least 50% were taking cannabis orally either by drinking, eating, or spray. 32% of respondents were using THC (high or low), 36% CBD (pure, high or low), and 12% mixed cannabinoids [40].…”