CBD For Tremors: A Recovery In Progress

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As we age or have injuries, tremor disorders become more prevalent.

There’s emerging research as well as age regarding Cannabidiol and its ability to fight disorders that cause the shakes, to put it lightly. One that’s common is Essential Tremor Disorder, or ETD, also known as Idiopathic Tremor Disorder. It’s a progressive neurological condition that can be best described as the presence of asymmetrical and involuntary contractions of certain muscle groups. Cannabis and Hemp are both known to have powerful beneficial effects on tremor disorders – it’s not just CBD but a multitude of cannabinoids including THC, CBG, and CBC to name a few more that can work well. CBD is more prevalent and much more studies so these extracts from hemp are the focus of much research and clinical trials ahead. Today we share the joy of a patient who’s heading into one and their thoughts along the way – an incredible story of survival when tremors and stroke entered this patient’s life.

“I can not wait for the publication of this clinical research! I have had essential tremors since 2016 to the extent of being unable to hold a coffee cup without the contents sloshing over. I can not write, I can not type on my iPhone, iPad, PC. Voice to text doesn’t transcribe over too well – most people are used to my cluttered messages. As well I’m a bit geographically challenged so I can have some problems due to tremors while traveling or attempting to.”

“I can not grab anything when I have the tremors – but that also is partly due to the loss of my peripheral vision when I went totally blind after the stroke. Thank the Lord, the central vision came back! Not knowing if it would, was very, very depressing. Back to my point, I could not bring anything to my mouth. I am sure some people thought I had the DTs. I awake from sleep, shaking wildly in bed; when I do sleep, I have Maybe 15 minutes of REM on a Good Night. I am unable to dress. If I do succeed, it is probably backward. It is very demeaning. I need help and the help is in the plant”

“I took CBD for sleep because following my hemorrhagic stroke, I had incredible insomnia with no REM sleep – if I did, it was 15 minutes at most. I was thoroughly sleep-deprived. CBD did not work for me for sleep. I’ve got too many hamsters on the wheel as they say but the result was that cannabidiol temporarily relieved my tremors which were unexpected. I discovered this would help me completely by accident. Cheers!”

“Some days are still worse than others but CBD relieves the essential tremors, at least, for me. Below is the clinical trial call to action on the research study, I’ll keep you posted Mike.”

CBD and Essential Tremor

Sponsor: University of California, San Diego
Collaborators: International Essential Tremor FoundationTilrayCenter for Medicinal Cannabis Research
Information provided by (Responsible Party): Fatta B Nahab, University of California, San Diego

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary: This is a pilot trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a combined oral formulation of THC and CBD in patients with Essential Tremor.Detailed Description: Essential tremor (ET) is the most common neurological movement disorder, affecting up to 1% of the population and up to 5% of individuals over the age of 65. ET is characterized by often disabling tremors that occur when an individual moves. The tremors most commonly affect the hands, head, voice, and legs in order of frequency, leading to impairment in activities of daily living and morbidity. No pharmacological agent has been developed for ET, though existing agents such as propranolol and primidone are used off-label to reduce tremor amplitude. Deep brain stimulation surgery is often reserved for only individuals with the most severe tremors. Patients with ET have long reported tremor benefits with the use of cannabis, though no controlled trials have been conducted. The investigators plan to conduct the first double-blind, placebo-control clinical trial of cannabis in an oral capsule. Various validated tremor rating methods will be used to quantify tremor severity while looking at tolerability and safety.

Study Design

Genetics Home Reference related topics: Essential tremor MedlinePlus related topics: Tremor U.S. FDA Resources

Arms and InterventionOutcome Measures Primary Outcome Measures :

Digital spirography [ Time Frame: Day 22 ]
The tremor amplitude calculated using computerized spirography to measure kinetic tremors.

Secondary Outcome Measures :

Tremor Research Group Essential Tremor Rating Scale (TETRAS) [ Time Frame: Day 22 ]
The performance sub-scale of the TETRAS will be used to measure tremor severity. The scale ranges from 0 to 60 points (0 being no tremor).

Global Impression of Change [ Time Frame: Day 22 ]

The Global impression of change will be calculated based on both physician and patient reports.
The scale ranges from a score of 1 (very much improved) to 7 (very much worse) with a score of 4 indicating ‘no change’.
Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [ Time Frame: Days 1, 3, 6, 22 ]
Side effects survey
Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) [ Time Frame: Day 22 ]
This is a scale looking at risk assessment of suicidality. The presence of any positive responses will lead to further evaluation.
EKG [ Time Frame: Day 22 ]
Electrocardiographic changes from baseline measures will trigger further evaluation. EKGs will be rated as normal/abnormal, and clinically significant/not clinically significant.
Accelerometry [ Time Frame: Day 22 ]
The spectral power density will serve as a measure of tremor severity relative to baseline tremor power (no units).