CBD may help reduce anxiety related tremors, a key symptom of Parkinson’s Disease, a recent study has shown.
In an article published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology researchers at two Brazilian universities, the Federal University of São Carlos and the University of São Paulo, subjected 24 people with Parkinson’s to two separate “simulated public speaking tests,” 15 days apart. In each of the studies, half of the patients were given 300mg of CBD and the other half a placebo. Each patient then had their heart rates, blood pressure and tremor frequencies monitored.
In the tests, patients who had received the CBD had lower levels of both anxiety and tremors.
“CBD modulates brain regions related to stress and anxiety,” explains Daiene de Morais Fabricio, one of the researchers. “These observations suggest that CBD may be an alternative treatment for Parkinson’s Disease and anxiety patients.”
Heightened anxiety is a major non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s. It is also believed that 1 in 3 residents of the UK will suffer from an anxiety disorder or panic attacks at some point. The researchers believe that the connection between the reduction in tremors and anxiety isn’t surprising, as they have previously investigated the effects of CBD on people living with Parkinson’s. As the condition heightens the severity of symptoms healthy people may also experience in anxiety-inducing situations, the findings of the study may have wider medical and social benefits.
“These observations suggest that CBD may be an alternative treatment for patients with Parkinson’s and anxiety,” the study reported. “Thus, the chronic administration of CBD could be tested in future studies.”
