Best CBD for Ataxia in 2022

How CBD May Help With Ataxia

Cannabidiol or CBD is a natural compound found in cannabis plants. CBD is currently being studied for its potential neuroprotective properties that may help against inflammatory conditions of neurodegenerative disorders⁽¹⁾.

Neurodegenerative or neurological diseases involve progressive damage to the nervous system and cells necessary for mobility, sensation, coordination, strength, and cognition^(2).

Ataxia is a neurological disorder characterized by a lack of muscle coordination or control of voluntary movements. This disease can also cause speech, swallowing, and eye movement difficulties⁽³⁾.

CBD works in the body by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS)⁽⁴⁾. The ECS helps maintain homeostasis, or a stable internal environment, within your body⁽⁵⁾. Targeting the ECS may help manage pain and neurodegenerative disorders⁽⁶⁾.

There is insufficient clinical data to prove CBD may directly help manage ataxia. More extensive research and human trials are required to determine CBD’s therapeutic potential for ataxia conclusively.

Uses and Benefits of CBD for Ataxia

Authors of one study published in Frontiers in Neurology suggested that CBD may help improve mobility and reduce pain, spasticity (abnormal muscle tightness), and fatigue among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS)⁽⁷⁾. MS is one of the potential causes of ataxia⁽⁸⁾.

Another study reviewed the effects of whole-plant cannabis extracts on patients with MS and spinal cord injury⁽⁹⁾.

Results showed that CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may provide pain relief and improve muscle spasticity and bladder control.

Spinal cord damage can cause acute cerebellar ataxia⁽¹⁰⁾, a sudden and uncontrolled muscle movement due to injury or illness to the cerebellum⁽¹¹⁾.

THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid that produces a “high” associated with marijuana use⁽¹²⁾.

How to Use CBD Oil for Ataxia

Individuals experiencing ataxia or any of its symptoms may consider taking CBD oil through the following delivery methods:

• Ingestion: CBD is taken orally, passing through the digestive system before being distributed in the bloodstream.

CBD oil products delivered orally have a long-lasting effect, making them suitable for providing an all-day or all-night effect⁽¹³⁾.

Some oral CBD products include capsules or edibles such as CBD gummies or chews.

• Sublingual administration: CBD oil is administered under the tongue. This method lets the drug bypass the digestive system and enter the bloodstream directly.

CBD oil tinctures are usually administered sublingually with droppers. Other products include tablets, high-potency oils, and oromucosal sprays.

• Inhalation: CBD may be inhaled using vapes. Inhalation distributes CBD to the lungs and brain before the drug spreads throughout the body⁽¹⁴⁾.

Inhalation is the quickest method to administer CBD and is preferable for acute pain⁽¹⁵⁾.

While evidence suggests vaping may help people stop smoking, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers vaping unsafe as it may cause lung problems⁽¹⁶⁾.

Consider these effects and exercise caution before trying vapes to administer CBD.

• Topical application: CBD topicals are usually applied to the skin. These products provide pain relief to a specific part without getting absorbed into the bloodstream⁽¹⁷⁾.

Topical CBD products include ointments, creams, lotions, and balms.

Before deciding on a particular CBD product or administration method, consult your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment, especially if you have existing medical conditions.

CBD Dosage for Ataxia

The FDA has not endorsed any CBD dosage guide specific to ataxia.

However, individuals using CBD for the first time may consider taking a low dose first and gradually increasing the dosage⁽¹⁸⁾.

One suggestion is to start with 10 milligrams (mg) of CBD per day. If the product contains THC, you may begin with a dose of 1 to 2.5mg of THC⁽¹⁹⁾.

Your CBD dosage may depend on various factors like diet, exercise, health conditions, genetics, and stress levels⁽²⁰⁾.

How Long Does CBD Take to Help With Ataxia?

No conclusive clinical trials focusing on CBD onset times specific for ataxia were performed to date.

Orally ingested CBD products like capsules and edibles may take one to two hours to become effective. Tinctures and other sublingual products have onset times of 15 minutes to one hour. Vapes may take a few seconds to several minutes to take effect⁽²¹⁾.

How Long Will CBD Help With Ataxia?

Currently, there are no conclusive studies on how long CBD’s effects may last to help with ataxia.

In some cases, the delivery method may influence CBD’s duration of effects. Orally administered CBD may last up to six or eight hours, while sublingual, topical, or inhaled CBD may remain effective for two to four hours⁽²²⁾.

One study showed that CBD taken orally has a half-life of two to five days. CBD administered using oromucosal sprays have a half-life of 1.4 and 10.9 hours for 5mg and 20mg doses, respectively⁽²³⁾.

Half-life is the time taken to decrease a drug’s concentration or quantity in the body by half (50%).

Side Effects and Risks of Using CBD for Ataxia

The adverse effects of using CBD specifically for ataxia have not been studied thoroughly.

In general, CBD may cause various side effects to humans, including drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, appetite loss, and diarrhea⁽²⁴⁾.

One study mentioned that CBD’s side effects typically reported are tiredness, diarrhea, and changes to body weight or appetite⁽²⁵⁾.

In another study, individuals prescribed with CBD oil reported experiencing sedation and vivid dreams⁽²⁶⁾.

Choosing the Best CBD Oil for Ataxia

To determine the best CBD oil that may help with ataxia and manage movement disorders, analyze the extraction methods, CBD product categories, and your individual preferences before buying a CBD product.

Extraction Methods

Cannabis oil is typically extracted from the cannabis plant using hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide (CO2), or ethanol extraction.

The hydrocarbon method typically utilizes propane or butane as solvents for extracting CBD.

Hydrocarbons are neurotoxic and flammable and can become a health risk if not fully purged from the CBD extract. Manufacturers must strictly follow proper safety procedures when using this extraction method.

CO2 extraction uses highly pressurized carbon dioxide to extract CBD. The FDA considers CO2 safe for use in industrial extractions⁽²⁷⁾.

Ethanol extraction utilizes ethanol to extract CBD. Ethanol is considered safer than butane and more efficient than CO2, giving rise to the popularity of this extraction method⁽²⁸⁾.

Product Category

After extraction, manufacturers process the CBD oil and categorize it as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate.

Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all beneficial components and cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, including THC, flavonoids, and terpenes.

Flavonoids are plant substances with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties⁽²⁹⁾. Terpenes are compounds that produce a distinct aroma in plants⁽³⁰⁾.

Broad-spectrum CBD oil usually contains similar compounds and cannabinoids in full-spectrum CBD extracts. However, broad-spectrum CBD oil is THC-free.

CBD isolates comprise pure CBD only and do not contain THC or any other cannabinoids or compounds.

Individual Preferences

Consumers planning to buy CBD products with no THC or its psychoactive effects may consider purchasing broad-spectrum CBD oil or CBD isolates.

Some individuals may also prefer CBD products that are gluten-free, non-GMO, or made from organic hemp.

Legality of CBD

According to United States federal law, CBD products with THC concentration exceeding 0.3% are illegal⁽³¹⁾.

However, the legal use and restriction levels on medical marijuana and CBD oil vary among U.S. states. Consumers are encouraged to review their state’s laws before purchasing and using CBD products.

The 2018 Farm Bill established a regulatory framework for hemp production in the U.S.⁽³²⁾. The bill also removed hemp-derived CBD products with no more than 0.3% THC from the description of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act⁽³³⁾.

The FDA warns that some CBD products are sold with unknown quality or unproven medical claims. The agency also advises that labeling or marketing CBD products as food additives or dietary supplements is prohibited⁽³⁴⁾.

At present, the only CBD product approved by the FDA is Epidiolex, a prescription CBD medication for treating seizures related to epilepsy⁽³⁵⁾.

What Is Ataxia?

Ataxia is a neurodegenerative disease due to damage to the cerebellum, the area in your brain responsible for movement coordination.

Other neurological disorders related to ataxia include Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia associated with mild memory loss⁽³⁶⁾. Parkinson’s disease is a disorder leading to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance, walking, and coordination⁽³⁷⁾.

Symptoms of ataxia include⁽³⁸⁾:

• Slurred speech
• Lack of coordination
• Eating and swallowing problems
• Difficulty with walking
• Eye movement problems
• Deterioration of fine motor skills
• Heart problems
• Tremors

Some causes of ataxia include⁽³⁹⁾:

• Stroke
• Head trauma
• Infections like Lyme disease, HIV, or chickenpox
• Autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis
• Cerebral palsy
• Thyroid problems
• COVID-19 infection

Some ataxia types are genetic. Examples of hereditary ataxia include spinocerebellar ataxia, congenital cerebellar ataxia, or Friedreich’s ataxia.

At present, ataxia has no known cure. However, treating underlying causes may resolve the disease, and doctors can prescribe or recommend treatments to help manage ataxia symptoms.

Doctors can also suggest adaptive devices like hiking sticks for walking or modified utensils to assist in eating⁽⁴⁰⁾. Other treatments to help a person with ataxia include⁽⁴¹⁾:

• Physical therapy to help with mobility and coordination
• Speech therapy to improve one’s ability to communicate
• Occupational therapy to assist with daily tasks like eating

In the case of cerebellar ataxia (CA), one study mentioned that some causes, such as vitamin B12 deficiency and drug toxicity, are often reversible⁽⁴²⁾.

The study also suggested that riluzole, varenicline, or amantadine can help manage CA.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is for informative purposes only and must not be taken as professional medical advice.

Consult a doctor or health care professional for a diagnosis, prescription, and treatment for ataxia, chronic pain, or other medical conditions before considering taking CBD.