People with Parkinson’s disease have a “high interest” in herbal drugs, study finds

Researchers in Germany conducted a survey to assess how people with Parkinson’s disease perceive and experience medical cannabis.

As part of the study, the team analysed answers from more than 1,300 people with Parkinson’s. They found that 65% of participants who did not use medical cannabis were interested in it, but lacked knowledge and feared side effects. Around 8% of participants reported using cannabis; of these, 54% reported beneficial effects – including 40% who reported reduced pain.

Professor Dr Carsten Buhmann, lead study investigator, said: “Our data confirm that Parkinson’s disease patients have a high interest in treatment with medicinal cannabis […]. The data reported here may help physicians decide which patients could benefit, which symptoms could be addressed, and which type of cannabinoid and route of administration might be suitable.

“It has to be stressed, though, that our findings are based on subjective patient reports and that clinically appropriate studies are urgently needed.”

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