Objective: To explore the effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) on self-report balance problems and freezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Background: Recent research has indicated that a high proportion of people with PD are interested in taking cannabis for their PD symptoms. Because of the intoxicating and motor impairing properties of THC, it stands to reason that it could negatively affect postural instability and fall risk in PD.
Method: Data from the Fox Insight online clinical study were analyzed in February 2024. Only participants who had PD and answered questions about cannabis were included in this analysis (n=2754). In duplicate cases, the newest case was retained for analysis. Data were analyzed based on type of cannabis (i.e., high CBD/low THC, high THC/low CBD, similar CBD and THC, hemp) on two different self-report Likert questions, one about balance problems and the other about FOG.
Results: There was a significant difference in the proportion of respondents that reported balance problems among the different types of cannabis (p < .001). Most respondents reported no change in balance problems with all products (high CBD/low THC = 56.8%, high THC/low CBD = 41.3%, similar CBD and THC = 44.2%, hemp = 56.1%). However, there was a higher proportion of respondents that reported worsening of balance problems with THC products (high THC/low CBD = 19.9%, similar CBD and THC = 17.6%) compared to CBD products (high CBD/low THC = 6.4%, hemp = 4.3%). The proportion of respondents for FOG were different across the different cannabis products (p < .001) even though a majority (>50%) reported no FOG. While fewer respondents reported worsening FOG, it was highest for the THC products (high THC/low CBD = 4.4%, similar CBD and THC = 2.9%) compared to CBD products (high CBD/low THC = 1.6%).
Conclusion: While a plurality of PD respondents reported no change in balance problems across the cannabis products, approximately 1 in 5 respondents reported worsening balance problems by cannabis products with higher THC content. While the same pattern of responses was noted for FOG, there was a significantly lower proportion of respondents reporting worsening FOG by cannabis products. Research using more experimental designs is warranted.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
M. Landers, A. Dockery, A. Hernandez, C. Miyashiro. Does cannabis increase one’s risk for a fall in Parkinson’s disease?: cross-sectional analysis of self-report balance problems and freezing of gait [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2024; 39 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/does-cannabis-increase-ones-risk-for-a-fall-in-parkinsons-disease-cross-sectional-analysis-of-self-report-balance-problems-and-freezing-of-gait/. Accessed June 15, 2025.« Back to 2024 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/does-cannabis-increase-ones-risk-for-a-fall-in-parkinsons-disease-cross-sectional-analysis-of-self-report-balance-problems-and-freezing-of-gait/