CBD for Brain Health: New Research on Cannabidiol for Parkinson’s Disease

Over the past few years, CBD - short for Cannabidiol, a natural extract from the hemp plant - has captured the public’s eye as a natural way to support wellbeing. While many people have explored the use of CBD for sleep, stress, and recovery, there’s growing interest in another important area: brain health.

Now, a new clinical study has shed light on the potential therapeutic effects of CBD for cognitive functions, especially in people living with Parkinson’s disease - a condition that doesn’t just affect movement, but can also impact memory function, attention, and everyday thinking skills.

If you’ve ever wondered whether CBD could play a role in brain health, this article will guide you through the latest findings.

Why Protecting the Human Brain Matters: Insights into CBD and Brain Health

Parkinson’s disease is often thought of as a movement disorder, causing tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance. However, many people don’t realise that it can also affect the brain’s thinking processes, including memory, language, problem-solving, and focus. This cognitive decline can be just as challenging as the physical symptoms, reducing the quality of life and independence of patients over time.

Finding ways to support brain health has become an important focus for researchers in the field - and natural compounds like CBD from Cannabis have come under increasing investigation for their potential to contribute to overall wellness without showing major side effects.

New Clinical Research on Cannabidiol (CBD) and Its Effects in the Human Brain

Recently, researchers conducted a clinical trial at Buriram Hospital in Thailand to explore the impact of CBD on cognitive functions in people with Parkinson’s disease.

The study included 60 participants who were randomly divided into two groups: one group received CBD, while the other received a placebo (a non-active substance). The assigned dose of CBD was taken daily as drops under the tongue, with participants receiving 26mg per day. Importantly, the CBD used contained no detectable THC - the compound in cannabis associated with psychoactive effects.

The researchers wanted to see if CBD could make a difference in certain areas of thinking and memory, as well as monitoring its safety and any side effects.

How CBD Affects the Human Brain and Body

To understand why scientists are interested in CBD for brain health, it helps to know a little about how CBD interacts with the body.

CBD (short for cannabidiol) works with something called the endocannabinoid system. This is a network inside your body that helps regulate many vital functions, including mood, sleep, inflammation, and memory.

CBD is thought to:

• Help keep communication between brain cells running smoothly

• Support natural processes that protect the brain against stress

• Reduce inflammation, which is increasingly recognised as a factor in brain ageing and cognitive decline

In laboratory studies, CBD has shown the ability to influence important chemical pathways linked to memory, mood, and attention. However, the real-world research in humans is still catching up - which makes studies like this one particularly exciting.

Clinical Benefits of CBD: What Research Shows About Its Effects in the Human Brain

The study lasted 12 weeks, after which the researchers compared the two groups. Here’s what they found:

• Acute CBD was well tolerated: The participants who received the CBD did not experience worsening of their Parkinson’s symptoms or any major side effects. Their movement abilities, mood, and overall wellbeing remained stable.
  
  

• A positive change in a specific thinking skill: Participants taking CBD showed a small improvement in "naming" abilities. This refers to the brain's ability to find and say the right word, which is often affected in neurological conditions.
  
  

While the study didn’t find major changes across all of the memory and thinking tests that were carried out, the improvement in naming is an encouraging sign. It suggests that CBD might support some areas of human brain function, although further research is needed to confirm and expand these findings.

Memory: Why is Naming Ability Important?

You might wonder: Does this result even matter?

In Parkinson’s disease, finding the right words can become increasingly difficult. This isn’t just frustrating for those affected by the disease - it can affect communication, relationships, and overall confidence.

The fact that CBD may help support this specific ability, even slightly, opens up interesting possibilities for further study. It hints that CBD could have a role in helping to maintain everyday mental skills that make a real difference for a good quality of life.

CBD Oil and Its Potential as a Therapeutic Agent for Inflammation?

One of the key theories behind cognitive decline in conditions like Parkinson’s is inflammation - both inside the brain and throughout the body.

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to help heal injury or infection. But when it becomes long-lasting (known as chronic inflammation), it can take a turn and start to damage healthy cells, including those in the brain.

In laboratory studies, CBD has been shown to:

• Help regulate inflammatory responses

• Support brain cells by reducing the harmful effects of chronic inflammation

• Promote a balanced internal environment that protects brain health over time

While the new study didn’t find major changes in inflammation markers after 12 weeks, the short duration and relatively low CBD dose may explain this. Future research with longer studies and higher doses could offer even more insights.

The CBD Oil Dosage in the Clinical Research

Participants took an average of 26mg of CBD per day - this is a relatively modest amount compared to other studies, which sometimes explore doses of 100mg or more.

This is important because it suggests that even these smaller amounts of CBD, taken consistently, could contribute to wellbeing without overwhelming the body or causing side effects.

However, it’s important to remember that every person is different. What works well for one person might need adjusting for another, and the effects of CBD can depend on factors like body weight, metabolism, and individual health conditions.

Everyday Brain Support: What the Research Suggests

For people curious about CBD and brain health, this new research is a positive step. It confirms that THC-free CBD can be used safely by people with serious health conditions over several weeks, and it shows early signs of supporting certain thinking skills.

However, it’s also a reminder that CBD is not a miracle cure. While it may offer natural support for wellness, it should be seen as part of a broader lifestyle approach - including a balanced diet, exercise, mental stimulation, and regular medical care.

If you are considering adding CBD to your routine, especially if you live with a medical condition, it’s always wise to consult a healthcare professional first.

CBD Oil and Brain Health: Final Thoughts on Its Potential Benefits

The relationship between CBD and brain health is an exciting and evolving area of research. While we still have much to learn, studies like this new clinical trial provide encouraging insights into how CBD could help maintain cognitive functions naturally.

As always, taking a proactive and balanced approach to your wellbeing is key - and with high-quality CBD products available, you have one more natural tool to explore if you wish.

Curious to learn more? Reach out with any questions - our team is here to help!

Sources

[1] Mitarnun W, Kanjanarangsichai A, Junlaor P, Kongngern L, Mitarnun W, Pangwong W, Nonghan P. Cannabidiol and cognitive functions/inflammatory markers in Parkinson's disease: A double-blind randomized controlled trial at Buriram Hospital (CBD-PD-BRH trial). Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2025 Apr 16;135:107841.