“The staff is very knowledgeable, helpful & welcoming. I would highly recommend. My experience here was wonderful. The staff helped me pick exactly what I needed. The prices are reasonable & the selection is nice.”
Patient review on Leafly, 3/17
Washington DC's premier medical marijuana dispensary
“The staff is very knowledgeable, helpful & welcoming. I would highly recommend. My experience here was wonderful. The staff helped me pick exactly what I needed. The prices are reasonable & the selection is nice.”
Patient review on Leafly, 3/17
Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative neurological disorder caused by a progressive loss of dopamine cells in the brain. Patients living with Parkinson’s experience tremors, impaired movement and pain, in addition to increased symptoms of dementia, mood disturbances and sleep disorders. For many, medical cannabis has been found to provide relief, leading to increased interest in the potential role of medical cannabis in Parkinson’s treatment.
Why Cannabis?
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Parkinson’s Disease. Commonly prescribed pharmaceutical drugs are available to increase dopamine levels and slow the progression of the disease, but not without significant side-effects. Patients treating Parkinson’s Disease with medical cannabis frequently report a range of symptomatic improvements, though there remains a need for additional research into how cannabis impacts the condition. Of particular interest is the fact that Parkinson’s patients have been found to produce increased levels of naturally-occurring endocannabinoids within the body, which may indicate that cannabinoid-based therapies could open the door to new treatment options. The neuroprotective properties of high-CBD cannabis could also provide a potential intervention against the progression of the disease.
Cannabis Treatment Options
Though much remains to be discovered about the role of medical cannabis in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, many patients are already having success with symptom relief. Strains high in THC are widely available and can be helpful for treating pain, elevating mood, assisting with sleep, and more. Since the nature and severity of symptoms can vary considerably, patients may select strains and formats that best meet their individual needs. Additionally, there is considerable interest in the possibility that CBD-rich strains could be found to impact the progression of the disease. Since CBD-based products carry few side-effects and could prove to provide long-term benefits, patients may choose to include CBD in their treatment regimen as well.
Conclusion
As interest in the role of cannabis in Parkinson’s treatment continues to grow, we expect to see increased research in the years to come. We’re hopeful that the positive outcomes achieved by many patients will be complemented by a more robust scientific understanding that can better inform decisions about dosage and product selection. We’ll continue to follow the latest research and update our resources as we learn more. As always, our staff is happy to discuss your symptoms and treatment goals to help you discover the best options for your individual needs.
A recent Quinnipiac Poll of American voters found that 93% were in favor of medical marijuana when approved by a doctor. Only 6% were opposed, demonstrating an unprecedented level of public support for the issue.
Among patients and providers, such widespread approval is welcome news and represents a milestone for efforts to educate the public about the importance of providing access for those in need. Though medical cannabis has historically performed well in public opinion polling, it has taken many years to reach a point at which over 9 in 10 Americans say they’re in favor of it.
This result reflects significant progress since the Nation’s first state medical marijuana law was passed in California in 1996. In the years since, 27 additional states and the District of Columbia have passed medical marijuana laws, allowing Americans to observe firsthand the positive impact of patient access. We have no doubt that well-regulated medical marijuana programs and responsible cannabis businesses have played a prominent role in building such broad public support.
As more Americans have the opportunity to observe the important role dispensaries play in the community and hear from friends and family who’ve benefitted from medical cannabis, it should come as no surprise to see such strong majority support.
Read More: How Dispensaries Promote Responsible Marijuana Use
Patients living with multiple sclerosis and other movement disorders often experience painful symptoms and inconvenient physical limitations that disrupt their daily lives. For many, medical cannabis has been found to provide unique benefits that reduce discomfort and improve quality of life.
Why Cannabis?
Movement disorders such as multiple sclerosis result from a neurodegenerative process that attacks the nerves, sending disruptive signals throughout the body. Muscle spasms and contractions, along with severe pain, weakness, speech impairment and other physical symptoms can be triggered by this condition. Treatment options remain limited, with many patients receiving a challenging assortment of prescriptions aimed at alleviating both the physical and emotional consequences of the disease.
Cannabis has emerged as a popular and potentially groundbreaking treatment for movement disorders, due to the process by which cannabinoid medicines interact with the endocannabinoid system and repair damaged neurotransmitters. Leafly summarizes some key findings in the treatment of movement disorder symptoms:
Pain and sleep disturbances: According to a 2005 ”gold-standard” trial of whole-plant cannabis-based extract (oromucosal spray containing 1:1 THC:CBD), cannabis-based medication was twice as effective as placebo to treat pain, and three times more effective for sleep.
Inflammatory-related issues: Neural tissue inflammation is common as the body’s immune cells attack the central nervous system. The (well established) anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis can help MS sufferers.
Muscle spasms: A 2014 systematic review provided high-quality evidence that cannabis-based medicines were highly effective in treating muscle spasms.
Abdominal complaints: Many scientists believe cannabinoids help control gut response and modulate gastrointestinal issues. According to a survey conducted by Scottish researcher Roger Pertwee, 51-60% of respondents reported a decrease in defecation urgency, a 44% decrease in incontinence, and 30% had less constipation.
Mood issues: Most MS patients will experience depression or at least persistent mood issues. Pertwee’s survey found that more than 90% of the MS sufferers reported botanical cannabis as improving mood.
This research illustrates both the symptomatic complexity of multiple sclerosis and other movement disorders, as well as the varied ways in which cannabis medicine can provide relief. Many patients report that no other medicine is capable of addressing so many of the condition’s symptoms as effectively and with as few undesirable side effects.
Cannabis Treatment Options
Patients frequently report beneficial results when treating movement disorders with high-THC cannabis products. Sativa strains are popular for daytime use to relieve physical symptoms and improve mood, while indica strains can be used in the evening to promote relaxation and assist with sleep. Since most medical cannabis strains fit within the moderate-to-high THC category, patients have a range of options and many choose specific strains they’ve found effective for their individual treatment needs. In addition to smoked or vaporized cannabis, some patients find oral cannabis products helpful, particularly tinctures applied sublingually. Moderate doses are recommended, although patients may adjust according to their needs.
Conclusion
In our experience working with patients who suffer from multiple sclerosis and other movement disorders, we’ve observed the wide range of symptoms these conditions can cause and the numerous challenges they create. We’ve also had the honor of getting to know patients who’ve achieved remarkable results through cannabis treatment. To witness a patient regaining mobility and independence despite difficult circumstances is an impactful moment for anyone seeking to understand the therapeutic potential cannabis medicines possess. We’re optimistic that medical science will continue to expand our knowledge of how cannabis can be used to help patients combatting these debilitating diseases. Our staff is always available to assist patients and caregivers in finding the answers they seek.
There’s no question that patients who use cannabis medicinally require the highest possible quality. Our cultivation team works tirelessly to produce top shelf flowers and dispensary staff are careful to store and package our products properly to preserve flavor, aroma, and potency. Once a purchase is made, however, the task of preserving product freshness falls to the patient and proper storage can make a huge difference. That’s why the Integra Boost is becoming a popular product among patients seeking to protect the freshness of their flowers.
Available in 2 sizes (8g for 12-28 grams of cannabis, and 67g for up to 450 grams) the Integra Boost is an innovative solution for maintaining ideal humidity levels when storing cannabis flowers. Simply place the Boost packet in a sealed container with the cannabis you’re storing and keep an eye on the included indicator circle to know when it’s time to replace the packet.
Proper humidity will help keep your flowers fresh, thereby preserving the aromatic terpenes and medicinal cannabinoids your favorite strains contain. If you’ve ever been frustrated by dry flowers that lose flavor, or concerned that too much moisture could lead to contamination, the Integra Boost is a simple solution to both concerns. Each packet is designed to detect humidity levels and either release or absorb moisture to produce optimum conditions for you flowers.
We’re excited to spotlight the Integra Boost as our featured accessory this month, with discounted pricing on both sizes. It’s a low cost product with a lot to offer, so there’s never been a better time to give it a try.