CBD for Essential Tremor

What is Essential Tremor?

Essential tremor (ET) is a common condition that causes shaking, mostly in the hands and arms. This shaking happens when a person is doing something, not when they're resting. As it gets worse, it can also affect the head and voice. Here are some key points about essential tremor:

• It's the most common type of action tremor (shaking that occurs during activities)
• It affects up to 5% of people
• It becomes more common as people get older
• About half of the people with ET have family members with the same condition
• Researchers are still trying to understand what causes it

How Essential Tremor Affects People

Essential tremors can make everyday tasks difficult. It can:

• Make it hard to write or use utensils
• Affect a person's ability to work or socialize
• Gets worse over time
• Cause embarrassment or social anxiety

Current Treatments for Essential Tremor

Some medicines can help with essential tremors, but they don't work for everyone. Many people are looking for natural ways to manage their symptoms. Some options that people try include:

• High doses of vitamin B1 (thiamine)
• Vitamin B12 supplements
• Herbs like valerian, skullcap, or passionflower

However, it's important to be careful with these treatments. They can have side effects and might not mix well with other medicines. Also, we don't have solid proof that they work for essential tremor.

CBD as a Potential Treatment

Recently, there's been interest in using CBD (cannabidiol) to help with essential tremors. CBD comes from the cannabis plant but doesn't make people feel "high" like marijuana does. Here's what we know so far:

• Some people say CBD helps a lot with their tremors
• Early research looks promising, but we need more studies
• CBD might help by calming down the nerves that cause shaking
• It might also help by reducing inflammation in the body

How CBD Might Work for Essential Tremor

Scientists are still figuring out exactly how CBD might help with tremors. Here are some ideas:

1. CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system, which helps control many body functions.
2. It might help stabilise muscle movements.
3. CBD could reduce the activity of nerves that cause shaking.
4. Its anti-inflammatory properties might also play a role.

Research on CBD for Essential Tremor

So far, research on using CBD for essential tremor has had mixed results:

1. One study gave people with ET a single dose of CBD and didn't see any effects.
2. Another study used a combination of CBD and THC (another cannabis compound). People had slightly less severe tremors but also had side effects like feeling sleepy.
3. A study with animals found that a cannabis-like substance injected into the spine reduced tremor symptoms.

These studies suggest that CBD might help with tremors, but we need more research to be sure.

Things to Consider About CBD

If you're thinking about trying CBD for essential tremors:

• Talk to your doctor first, especially if you're taking other medicines.
• CBD should be taken regularly for a while before it has an effect.
• The right dose and way of taking CBD might differ for different people.
• CBD is generally considered safe, but it can have side effects.

CBD shows promise as a potential treatment for essential tremors, but we need more research to know for sure. While some people find it helpful, it still needs to be a proven treatment. If you're considering trying CBD for essential tremors, it's important to talk with your doctor first and be patient as you try it out.

Managing essential tremors often involves a combination of treatments; what works best can be different for each person. Stay informed about new research and work closely with your healthcare provider to find the best approach for you.