30% of people use coffee and cannabis for Parkinson’s

A recent study published in the Journal of Parkinson’s reveals that over one-third of people with Parkinson's use natural health products, such as coffee and cannabis, to manage their symptoms. However, less than half of these individuals have discussed their use of these products with their healthcare providers. Conducted by researchers including Sandra Diadhiou from Université Laval in Canada and Professor Bas Bloem from Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands, the study surveyed 367 participants from the PRIME-NL (Proactive and Integrated Management and Empowerment of Parkinson’s Disease – Netherlands) database. The study aimed to assess not only the prevalence of natural health product use among people with Parkinson's but also their awareness of potential interactions with prescribed medications and whether they had communicated this use to their doctors. The findings include: - 36% of respondents reported using natural health products like coffee and cannabis. - Coffee was the most commonly used product (16% of respondents), followed by cannabis (13%) and turmeric (10%). - Other supplements mentioned included velvet bean and chamomile. - 39% of users were aware of possible interactions between natural products and their Parkinson’s medication. - Only 39% had discussed their use of these products with their healthcare providers. Based on these results, the study recommends further research into the health benefits and safety of natural health products and encourages open communication between patients and healthcare providers to ensure effective and safe treatment. In comparison, a 2022 survey by the Michael J. Fox Foundation in the USA found that 70% of nearly 2,000 respondents were using medical cannabis for Parkinson's, but a third had not informed their doctors. Parkinson’s organizations like the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Parkinson’s Europe, The Parkinson’s Foundation in the US, Fight Parkinson’s in Australia, and Parkinson’s UK have all advised caution regarding the use of cannabis for Parkinson’s, citing insufficient evidence about its efficacy and safety. Amelia Hursey, Research Manager at Parkinson’s UK, points out that it is difficult to determine the therapeutic concentration of active compounds in over-the-counter natural products, such as cannabinoids or CBD, which are often used as relaxants. Parkinson’s UK is currently conducting a trial to investigate whether Cannabidiol (CBD) can help treat hallucinations and delusions in people with Parkinson's. As for coffee, research on its effectiveness in treating Parkinson's symptoms is mixed. Some studies have suggested that caffeine may help slow symptom progression, while others found that it improved some symptoms but worsened others. A recent study published in the Annals of Neurology in May 2024 concluded that caffeine does not improve symptoms. Turmeric, a spice derived from the curcuma plant, contains curcumin, an active ingredient believed to have medicinal properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Previous studies, including one from Japan, have suggested potential benefits of turmeric oil in treating Parkinson's. For a detailed explanation of turmeric's effects on Parkinson's, refer to the Science of Parkinson’s article.