HOPE for Alzheimer's Patients

by:ChynnaJasminePearson

Alzheimer’s disease affects more than six million Americans of all ages. Across the world, there are close to fifty-six million people who are dealing with the problems Alzheimer’s can give. Unfortunately, there have been very little scientific studies on how CBD and Alzheimer’s interact. However, what little information we have has given us hope that CBD can help alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

What is Alzheimer’s disease? Discovered in 1906, Alzheimer’s, the most commonly diagnosed version of dementia, “is a degenerative condition in which irregular masses and tangled fibers, known as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, respectively, along with neuron transmission problems, cause changes and damage to the brain,” reports Medical News Today.

The damage could result in difficulties with memory, language, reasoning, behavior, and basic physical processes as the disease progresses. Patients may also experience anxiety, anger, and inability to function independently. The causes of Alzheimer’s are not definitive, but can be traced back to things like “damage to nerve cell function, changes in amyloid proteins, age, family history of the condition, head injuries, cardiovascular disease, infections, or environmental contaminants.” It took a long time for scientists to develop any type of medication to alleviate symptoms as there is no cure for this disease yet. This is where studying CBD comes in, because some patients do not like the way the classic treatments can make them feel. Common symptoms from Alzheimer’s medication are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, allergic reactions, loss of appetite, headaches, confusion, dizziness, and falls. CBD, or cannabidiol, is the non-psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, meaning it will not get you high. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties and can aid in the reduction of anxiety and agitation in patients. It is also non-habit forming, even though it is a treatment for pain. The Kensington Sierra Madre team reports that CBD, “may potentially aid with sleep.

CBD oil can help reduce inflammation in the brain, and it is also a known antioxidant that protects cells.” They have even conducted their own research. “Our team works with expert consultants to explore the benefits of CBD oil and CBD with THC-A, a type of oil where the THC is kept cold to remove the hallucinogen effect of the cannabis. We have already noticed the benefits. CBD treatment has helped residents with the most severe cases of dementia. We’ve seen residents calm down as a result, as well as report less pain and an increase in appetite. CBD treatments have allowed the team to reduce the amount of antipsychotic medication previously given to these residents. The use of CBD has allowed The Kensington Sierra Madre to care for even the toughest cases of dementia among residents.``Another study was conducted by the National Library of Science Medicine on ‘Understanding the Modulatory Effects of Cannabidiol on Alzheimer’s Disease.’ The conclusion of the study explains that the, “studies reviewed here suggest that CBD can provide symptomatic relief or even arrest AD progression through anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and neurogenic effects.

Moreover, CBD is a well-known inverse agonist of cannabinoid receptors, the modulation of which is reported to be beneficial for preventing AD pathology. Further studies are warranted to optimize CBD treatment for therapeutic dosage and timing ... Autophagy (a process by which a cell breaks down and destroys old, damaged, or abnormal proteins and other substances) is impaired in AD and can be affected by combinations of THC and CBD; therefore, it is rational to hypothesize that CBD may modulate impaired autophagy in Alzheimer’s disease.” CBD comes in three mains types: full-spectrum which contains all compounds in the cannabis plant including a minuscule amount of THC, broad-spectrum which contains almost all the plants compounds (this may or may not have THC, depends on the brand), and CBD isolate which is CBD in its purest form with no THC at all. With some studies already proving that CBD does have the potential of helping patients with Alzheimer’s disease, if you know someone with the disease, here are some options for consumption:

Tinctures and Oils

CBD tinctures are alcohol based extract that tends to be rather bitter, so most brands contain flavors like berry or mint to mask it. Tinctures are rare due to the bitterness to which many “tinctures” are actually oils. CBD oils are a blend of CBD extract and a carrier oil like coconut oil. Sometimes they also contain other compounds like terpenes and flavors. Both options can be taken sublingually or mixed with food and drink. But only oil can also be used as a topical treatment.

Edibles

CBD edibles are just like any THC edibles. They are all pre-measured and the doses do not vary too much. Edibles can be anything from brownies, cookies, and candy to teas, coffees, and juices. In any case, edibles will take about an hour to take effect. So if you want something a bit faster, choosing a sublingual method is the better option.

Transdermal Creams and Patches

Unlike the tinctures and edibles, transdermal application is only on the skin. Transdermal treatments are very similar to nicotine patches, the CBD soaks in through the skin directly into the bloodstream and takes effect slowly and steadily. This is recommended for people who would rather not ingest CBD while still getting the benefits they need. Most people tend to use patches instead of creams or gels as they are mess free. The only downside is the patch will likely not give the user a full body effect and be more centralized.

Alzheimer’s disease is extremely hard to deal with for both the patient and their friends and family. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. On average, a person with Alzheimer's lives 4 to 8 years after diagnosis, but can live as long as 20 years, depending on other factors.” We can only hope that scientific research can move ahead enough to one day produce a cure. Until then, CBD may ease the symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease.