This 2020 study was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial aimed at evaluating the effects of acute CBD administration on anxiety measures and tremors in individuals with Parkinson's disease. The study found that giving Parkinson's patients a single 300mg dose of CBD reduced their anxiety levels, and also reduced tremors in situations that made them feel anxious.
A total of 24 individuals with Parkinson's disease were included in the study and underwent two experimental sessions within a 15-day interval. The participants were given CBD at a dose of 300mg or a placebo and underwent the Simulated Public Speaking Test, where data such as heart rate, systemic blood pressure, tremor frequency, and amplitude were collected.
Giving patients with Parkinson's disease a single 300mg dose of CBD decreased anxiety and lessened tremors in anxiety-inducing situations, highlighting CBD's potential usefulness in treating these common symptoms, which can be difficult to treat with current options that often have unwanted side effects. Therefore, the study suggests that CBD could be a promising alternative treatment for patients with Parkinson's disease and anxiety, especially given the limited therapeutic options currently available that come with side effects such as increased tremors, increased risk of falls, and worsened cognition.
The study also highlights the multiple pharmacological actions of CBD, such as its ability to act on CB1, CB2, TRPV1, and 5-HT1A neuroreceptors, which play vital roles in anxiety and motor regulation. The study suggests that CBD's ability to inhibit FAAH enzyme, which leads to increased levels of the CB1 agonist anandamide, is fundamental to understanding its role in motor function.
The results of this clinical trial are particularly significant because anxiety and tremors are common symptoms of Parkinson's disease, and conventional treatments may have side effects and are not always effective. The study's use of a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial design adds to the validity of the findings, and the dose of 300mg of CBD used in the study provides valuable information for future research and clinical applications.
Study Title: Effects of acute cannabidiol administration on anxiety and tremors induced by a Simulated Public Speaking Test in patients with Parkinson's disease
Study Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31909680