What the Science Says About Cannabinoids for Movement Disorders
A review of cannabinoid research for movement disorders found possible benefits for tics and potential neuroprotective effects in animal models, but no consistent evidence of benefit for tremor, Parkinson's motor symptoms, or dyskinesias.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
This comprehensive review examined basic science, animal, and clinical evidence for cannabinoids across multiple movement disorders. The endocannabinoid system modulates motor circuits, particularly within the basal ganglia.
Animal studies showed variable symptomatic benefits but more consistent neuroprotective effects in Parkinson's and Huntington's disease models. Clinical evidence suggested possible benefit for tics (as in Tourette syndrome) but probably no benefit for tremor in multiple sclerosis or for dyskinesias and motor symptoms in Parkinson's.
Data were insufficient to draw conclusions about dystonia, ataxia, or Huntington's, and no data existed for myoclonus or restless leg syndrome.
Key Numbers
Over 60 neuroactive chemicals identified in cannabis; clinical evidence reviewed for Parkinson's, Huntington's, Tourette syndrome, multiple sclerosis tremor, dystonia, ataxia, and restless leg syndrome
How They Did This
Narrative review of published basic science, preclinical, and clinical studies on cannabinoids and movement disorders. Covered over 60 neuroactive chemicals in cannabis and their interactions with the endocannabinoid system.
Why This Research Matters
Despite widespread claims about cannabis helping with various neurological conditions, this review found that the evidence is much more limited than public perception suggests. The gap between promising animal data and disappointing clinical results highlights the complexity of translating cannabinoid research.
The Bigger Picture
The endocannabinoid system clearly plays a role in motor control, but harnessing that for therapeutic benefit has proven difficult. Neuroprotective potential in animal models remains an area of active interest.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Narrative review without systematic methodology. Many of the clinical studies reviewed were small or poorly controlled. Cannabis pharmacology is complex (60+ compounds), making it difficult to attribute effects to specific cannabinoids.
Questions This Raises
- ?Can more targeted cannabinoid compounds deliver the neuroprotective benefits seen in animal models?
- ?Why do tics appear to respond while other movement symptoms do not?
- ?Would specific cannabinoid ratios or delivery methods improve clinical outcomes?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Possible benefit for tics; probably no benefit for tremor or Parkinson's motor symptoms
- Evidence Grade:
- Comprehensive narrative review summarizing multiple levels of evidence, but many individual studies were small or inconclusive.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2015. Additional clinical trials on cannabinoids for movement disorders have been conducted since.
- Original Title:
- The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for movement disorders.
- Published In:
- Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society, 30(3), 313-27 (2015)
- Authors:
- Kluger, Benzi, Triolo, Piera, Jones, Wallace, Jankovic, Joseph
- Database ID:
- RTHC-00992
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis help with Parkinson's disease?
As of this 2015 review, clinical evidence did not support benefit for motor symptoms or dyskinesias in Parkinson's. Animal studies showed neuroprotective potential, but this has not translated to proven clinical benefits.
Why might cannabinoids help with tics?
The endocannabinoid system modulates neurotransmission in the basal ganglia, which controls voluntary movement. Cannabinoid receptor activation in these circuits may help suppress involuntary movements like tics.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-00992APA
Kluger, Benzi; Triolo, Piera; Jones, Wallace; Jankovic, Joseph. (2015). The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for movement disorders.. Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society, 30(3), 313-27. https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.26142
MLA
Kluger, Benzi, et al. "The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for movement disorders.." Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.26142
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for movement disor..." RTHC-00992. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/kluger-2015-the-therapeutic-potential-of
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.