10/29/2025 | Daniela Savi | Agecom Unesc

https://noticias.unesc.net/pesquisa/2025/10/29/unesc-conduz-estudo-pioneiro-sobre-cannabis-e-parkinson-com-resultados-promissores/ 

For the past month, and without any dropouts due to side effects, a pioneering research study in Brazil has been conducted at Unesc with the objective of evaluating the effects of medicinal cannabis associated with physical exercise in people with early-stage Parkinson's disease (stages 1 to 3). The study continues until December 15th and is already showing important progress, especially regarding the safety and adherence of participants to the treatment.

The project is developed within the Parkinson's Patient Care Program (ProPark), which for years has been operating at the University offering physical and therapeutic support to people with the disease. Now, the group has also integrated the clinical study, carried out in the Experimental Physiopathology Laboratory at Unesc, in partnership with the Medicinal Plants Laboratory, and with the support of Santa Cannabis, a national association of reference in the medicinal use of the plant.

The acting rector of Unesc, Gisele Silveira Coelho Lopes, explains that research is one of the pillars that support Unesc as a Community and transformative University. “Studies like this, which unite science, health, and social commitment, demonstrate the strength of the knowledge produced here. This work reflects the dedication of our researchers and the institutional commitment to developing science with ethics, rigor, and responsibility. When research is combined with caring for people, it fulfills its role: transforming lives through knowledge. It is a source of great satisfaction to see the engagement of our academic community in a pioneering study that places Unesc among the leading universities in national scientific production,” emphasized Gisele. According to Professor and Doctor Flávia Rigo, coordinator of the pharmaceutical team, the study, conducted at the Experimental Physiopathology Laboratory of Unesc, is double-blind and randomized, which guarantees the scientific rigor of the research. The protocol stipulates that volunteers perform two 45-minute exercise sessions per week for 12 weeks, with activities that include stretching, aerobic training, strength exercises, and balance techniques.

“Today we have 44 patients participating. Half of them receive the full-spectrum oil, containing compounds from the plant, and the other half uses a placebo, which does not contain cannabinoids. No participant has presented significant adverse reactions so far, which is already a very relevant finding,” explains Flávia.

How it works
During the protocol, volunteers take the oil orally, with an initial dose of two drops in the morning and two at night, gradually increasing according to individual tolerance. Each participant is monitored weekly by the pharmaceutical and medical team, who evaluate the therapeutic effects and any reactions.

“Our monitoring is continuous and individualized. The treatment is safe, and everyone is staying committed, which demonstrates confidence in the process and the responsibility of the team involved,” adds Flávia.

Along with the use of Cannabis, all participants perform two weekly physical exercise sessions, led by Professor and physiotherapist Rúbia Pereira Zaccaron, coordinator of ProPark. “Exercise is essential to maintain functionality and autonomy. Cannabis comes in as a possibility to enhance the therapeutic effects and improve the quality of life of the patients,” emphasizes Rúbia.

The study also involves detailed laboratory analyses, with blood samples collected before and after treatment to evaluate hepatic and renal function, inflammatory and biochemical parameters. The results will be compared to verify whether the use of the oil contributes to reducing inflammation associated with the pathophysiology of the disease.

Support from Santa Cannabis and scientific rigor
Santa Cannabis is responsible for providing the standardized oils used in the research free of charge and for guaranteeing the traceability and quality of the product. After the conclusion of the study, patients in the placebo group will be able to receive treatment with the full-spectrum oil for another three months.

“This partnership is essential for the study to maintain the quality and safety standards required in clinical research. It is an important step in generating evidence on the responsible and scientific use of medicinal cannabis in Brazil,” emphasizes the president of the association, Pedro Sabaciauskis.

Multidisciplinary Team and Scientific Impact
The project is led by a multidisciplinary team that brings together professionals and researchers from the areas of Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, and Medicine, with overall coordination by Professor Dr. Paulo Cesar Lock Silveira, affiliated with the Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences (PPGCS), and Professor Dr. Patrícia de Aguiar Amaral, from the Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences (PPGCA).
Clinical monitoring is carried out in partnership with the Cannabis in Practice Institute (iCnP), coordinated by Dr. Guilherme Neri, a physician from Paraíba.

The study will result in two master's theses and is expected to present its first results in January 2026.  “We are very optimistic about the participation and engagement of the participants. We need more research like this to support the clinical use of cannabis with safety, ethics, and scientific evidence,” concludes Flávia.

In Brazil, it is estimated that approximately 200,000 people live with Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative condition linked to aging, which compromises motor skills and also impacts functions such as sleep, digestion, and cognition.