Millions Suffer from Movement Disorders

The term could conjure up some humorous thoughts, especially for medical marijuana patients who feel like they’ve been planted when they experience couch-lock.  However, the reality isn’t fun for the millions of people world-wide who suffer from these troubling and often debilitating conditions.  The term movement disorders, works as an umbrella to cover a wide variety of physical dysfunctions.

What are some common Movement Disorders?

• Restless leg syndrome (RLS)
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Epilepsy
• Dystonia
• Huntington’s Disease
• Tremors

These terribly frustrating neurological conditions are the result of underlying health concerns in the basal ganglia (a group of nuclei in the brain responsible for voluntary or involuntary movements).  “The pharmacology of cannabis is complex with over 60 neuroactive chemicals identified to date. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) modulates neurotransmission involved in motor function, particularly within the basal ganglia. Preclinical research…of several movement disorders have shown variable evidence for symptomatic benefits but more consistently suggest potential neuroprotective effects in …Parkinson’s (PD) and Huntington’s disease (HD).”  Thus, having a daily dose of medical marijuana might prevent the onset of many movement disorders while protecting the nerve cells from degeneration or impairment.

Once diagnosed, how are movement disorders treated?

There is a vast number of medical marijuana patients, who seek natural, hemp-derived cannabinoid products.  This includes many parents who seek the most gentle, herbal medicine for their children who suffer from potentially life-threatening conditions such as Dravet Syndrome, a form of childhood epilepsy.  “Treatment varies by disorder. Medicines can cure some disorders. Others get better when an underlying disease is treated. Often, however, there is no cure. In that case, the goal of treatment is to improve symptoms and relieve pain.”

Many cannabis patients seek hybrid marijuana strains that induce the sedative sensation of couch-lock, because they typically coincide with relieving uncontrollable movement disorders. The strains that cause this phenomenon typically offer tremendous relief, not just for movement disorders, but from the associated pain as well.  Patients new to medical marijuana may not be aware of the two most common strain variants, namely sativa or indica and contrary to popular belief, an indica’s cannabinoid components aren’t entirely relevant when it comes to the sedative effects.  In fact, the team of researchers at Dalhousie University presented analysis that proved otherwise.  “Our study, published in Nature Plants, found that indica and sativa labels are largely meaningless.”

As opposed to choosing a strain based on the primary categories of sativa or indica, research has indicated that terpenes and cannabinoids offer patients more insight into the best uses for the hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Additionally, “strain names are often not reliable indicators of a plant’s genetic identity and chemical profile.” In fact, the multitude of strain names are chosen for a wide-variety of reasons, but typically have no relevance to the benefits the herb has to offer.

For example, the terpene myrcene is prominent in the majority of cannabis strains, including both indica and sativa varieties.  Studies showed that, “myrcene presented sedative as well as motor relaxant effects.”  This terpene has traditionally been used in herbal medicine, because of the many medicinal benefits.  “Myrcene can also attenuate neuronal damage via antioxidant and radical scavenging properties…”

What medical marijuana strains work best for movement disorders?

 Many a cannabis strain has been cultivated for the sole purpose of relieving seizures and omitting psychoactive side effects.  These strains are rich in the cannabinoid CBD.  This hybrid, CBD Live Resin vape cart is a good example.  Medical marijuana products that are rich in the cannabinoid CBG may also be useful in treating these disorders.  This Orange Cream, Magnum pre-roll offers a high content of CBG.  Another wonderful medical marijuana strain rich in myrcene is this Delta 8 vape cart filled with Blue Dream.   It seems as though the benefits of medical marijuana can’t be denied when it comes to an alternative way to treat movement disorders.