Does Cannabis Help Dementia Patients?
When an individual has dementia, their daily routine and activities are adversely affected due to the deterioration of their ability to think, remember, make decisions, reason, and solve problems. Aside from cognitive decline, dementia patients tend to have behavioral symptoms such as depression, anxiety, aggression, and agitation. Alzheimer’s is the most prevalent type of this disorder, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of cases.
Though older adults are mostly affected by dementia, it is not a normal part of biological aging. Because of the negative effects of this condition, finding treatments for it is highly imperative. Medical researchers are looking into cannabis as a treatment for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Read on to learn more about medical marijuana and its effects on individuals with this neurocognitive disorder.
Cannabis: What You Need To Know
Cannabis is a plant that produces a variety of chemical compounds known as cannabinoids. These components elicit certain body responses when interacting with the cell-signaling network throughout the human body called the endocannabinoid system.
Out of over a hundred cannabinoids, the two main compounds are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The former is the non-psychoactive compound of marijuana, while the latter creates the sensation of “high” or euphoria upon cannabis use.
Research on Using Cannabis for Dementia
Studies suggest that anxiety and aggression can be managed using high concentrations of CBD or cannabis oil. However, studies on CBD treatment for dementia have only been in a few small, short-term clinical trials so far. As a result, researchers need to learn more about the long-term effects of using CBD oil.
There is also research that shows CBD has neuroprotective properties. The study suggests that the compound can reduce neuroinflammation and enhance new brain cell development for patients with Alzheimer’s.
In a 2019 study, combining CBD with THC was found to be more effective in preserving brain function. The study also found that CBD can stimulate growth in the hippocampus, the area that plays a major role in learning and memory.
Though THC and CBD help with some symptoms of dementia, there is no current evidence that cannabis can be used to treat and prevent the condition. Further research is needed to determine the overall effects of cannabinoids on people living with dementia.
If you want to try cannabis oil or other CBD products, learn how they might affect your health by consulting a healthcare professional. Also, ensure that you get these products from a reputable source like Thrive Medical Cannabis. We have licensed cannabis physicians that provide prescriptions for medical marijuana in Texas for qualified patients. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.