Medical Marijuana For Huntington's Disease Patients In Missouri

Does Huntington's Disease Qualify For Medical Marijuana In Missouri?

Huntington's Disease (HD) is a terminal neurological condition that has debilitating symptoms associated. While everyone has the gene that causes HD, only those that inherit the expansion of the gene will develop HD and perhaps pass the gene onto their children; if a parent is diagnosed with HD there is a 50/50 chance that the child will inherit the gene.

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While there is no known cure for HD, many of the symptoms associated with HD can be lessened with the use of medical marijuana treatment. In cell studies, cannabinoids have been found to modulate the toxic effects of the Huntingtin protein, leading to optimism that medical marijuana treatment can mitigate symptoms and possibly influence the course of HD. 

 

How Does Medical Marijuana Help Huntington's Disease?

The possibility of medical marijuana as an effective treatment for HD is promising, although the research is still in its infancy. The most optimistic findings thus far concern the use of the cannabinoid CBG, which have been found to provide significant neuroprotection of striatal neurons, and even partial normalization of genes that align with HD's neurodegeneration.

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While HD and medical marijuana has not been strenuously researched, the mechanisms of neuronal death have been found to have a positive link with cannabinoids based on pathological themes of neurodegenerative diseases. For example, there have been HD cell-culture studies that suggest the interaction between CB1 receptors and CBD or THC/CBD with HD can be clinically effective in providing symptomatic benefits through a decrease in spontaneous motor activity and increase the efficacy of conventional treatment options. Furthermore, other preclinical studies show that CB2 activation can play a pivotal role in preventing neurodegeneration.

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Although there is a lagging amount of scientific research on medical marijuana and HD, there is tons of anecdotal evidence from patients that self-medicate or have their card in other state-approved medical marijuana programs lending support for HD as a beneficial treatment option for the symptoms associated with HD.

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Cannabis has been shown to aid in many of the symptoms associated with HD, including pain, sleep, mood, drooling, appetite, and muscle relaxation or lack thereof. Most consequentially, due to the nature of H​D and the lack of a cure, patients suffering from this condition can, understandably, feel stress and anxiety as a result. While many patients may decide to use antidepressants, anti-anxiety, and anti-seizure drugs that can have adverse effects associated, medical cannabis has been proven to aid these symptoms and provide a sense of relief for patients.

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Get Medical Marijuana In Missouri With Missouri Marijuana Card

Missouri Marijuana Card has doctor offices throughout the State of Missouri that specialize in helping qualifying patients access medical marijuana. If you’re interested in discussing whether medical marijuana is right for you, we're here to help you every step of the way.  Give us a call, or schedule an appointment online for more information. You can also check out our frequently asked questions page.