Next to epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease is the most common neurological illness in America. The disease causes impaired balance and coordination, tremors and slowness of movement. It occurs when a person’s brain stops producing dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centers and regulates movement. Could medical marijuana ease the suffering for those living with this disease? New research says it might be a viable treatment option.

In recent years, many states have approved marijuana for treatment of cancer, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and other afflictions. Researchers at the Touro College of Pharmacy in New York wanted to find out if Parkinson’s disease could be added to that list.

One of their most significant findings was that the cannabinoid compounds in marijuana bind to dopamine receptors to lessen the effects of reduced dopamine in the brain caused by Parkinson’s disease. In other words, the compounds replace the normal compounds that are adversely affected by Parkinson’s, the lead author wrote in the online journal Parkinson’s Disease.

The study also showed that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of marijuana may prevent neuron damage, essentially slowing the progression of the disease. But the researchers say the findings are preliminary and side effects associated with marijuana such as memory loss, increased osteoporosis risk and impaired blood vessel function need to be considered.

As the debate over marijuana use continues in the U.S. and more states approve its use for medicinal purposes, researchers will continue to explore the long-term impacts.