Trying CBD for Parkinson’s Disease

Last Christmas, I ordered my dad a CBD tincture that was supposed to help him to cope with anxiety and sleep.

As a resident of Colorado, I’d used CBD tinctures to help with issues that ranged from tendinitis to insomnia. I’d never felt that it was a complete cure-all solution to my dilemmas but it did seem to help.

Thinking that the regular use of a tincture might be able to help my dad manage some of his own symptoms, I was excited to see what might happen.

What is it?

Cannabidiol or "CBD" is derived from the hemp plant. CBD can also be found in the marijuana plant, in which it is the second most active ingredient.¹

There’s some evidence that suggests that it may help to manage inflammation. It could also help to manage symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and even pain.²

Since my dad is not comfortable with the idea of getting "high" (even though it’s legal to do so where he lives), CBD seemed like a good alternative. He could use a tincture or a salve to attempts to treat some of his symptoms without getting "stoned."

Is using CBD Legal?

As long as the CBD or CBD containing product contains less than 0.3 percent of THC and it comes from the hemp plant, it is legal to use federally. But the specific regulations vary by state.¹

In some states, CBD is only permitted in specific forms like oils. Each state’s THC allowance levels in CBD may vary.

In Michigan, where my dad lives, both marijuana and CBD are legal. It is readily available in plenty of shops throughout the state, which makes it somewhat easy to find a high-quality distributor with wholesome products.

My dad's experience

A small tincture bottle usually lasts my dad several months. And our most recent experiment involved a 1500 mg tincture. Dad would take is dosage of oil and hold it under his tongue for about 30 seconds before swallowing it.

After a few months of regular use, my dad reported that the CBD tincture that he had been using seemed to relax him, which may have contributed to more consistent sleep. But he wasn’t overwhelmed by the tincture’s ability to relax him.

Current research and caveats

It is important to note that research surrounding CBD is somewhat new. It is because of this that we are not entirely sure what the extended use of CBD products may do to the body.

Different types of CBD consumption could impact the body differently. And CBD manufacturing isn’t regulated, which means that each product may be different.

For anyone who's considering using CBD products, I encourage you to contact your physician prior to use and be sure to check your local regulations before ordering any CBD products. This should not be confused with medical advice.