Cannabis for Alzheimer's

BudMed Bulletin for 3 October 2024

Next issue: Cannabis and the Heart

What is Alzheimer's

According to the Alzheimer's Association, “Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases.”

In this issue, we’ll explore if cannabis might be able to help with protection, symptom management and maybe even prevention.

Protection

Emerging research suggests that components of cannabis, known as cannabinoids, could play a significant role in protecting against Alzheimer's disease. Here's how cannabis might help safeguard your brain health:

• Neuro protection: Studies indicate that cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, exert a neuro protective effect. This means they could help protect brain cells from damage, which is crucial in slowing the progression or even preventing Alzheimer's.

• Cannabidiol (CBD) has been studied for its neuro protective properties not only in Alzheimer's but also in epilepsy, suggesting a broad spectrum of brain health benefits. Read more on CBD's neuro protective mechanisms here.

• THC has shown potential in protecting against amyloid beta toxicity, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. Explore THC's protective effects here.

• Ageing Brain Cells: Research highlights that active ingredients in cannabis can protect ageing brain cells, which is vital as Alzheimer's predominantly affects the elderly. Read a study on how cannabis protects ageing brain cells here.

Symptom Management

As we explore alternatives for managing the challenging symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, medical cannabis has emerged as a topic of interest. Here's how it might help:

• Agitation and Behavioural Issues: Evidence suggests that cannabis could be relatively safe and effective for treating behavioural disorders in dementia patients, including agitation, one of the more distressing symptoms for both patients and care givers. Read more about cannabis and agitation in dementia here.

• Depression and Mood Disorders: The multi-target action of cannabinoids might offer therapeutic benefits for depression, which often coexists with Alzheimer's. The interaction with the endocannabinoid system could help in modulating mood and cognitive symptoms. Explore the therapeutic potential here.

• General Symptom Relief: Anecdotal evidence and preliminary studies, like the case of one family's experience, point towards significant relief from symptoms like aggression and agitation with medical marijuana. Watch a family's story here.

Meet Lucy, an Alzheimer’s patient who got her life back, thanks to Cannabis. In this video, you’ll also meet another lady who got her life back to.

Prevention

Emerging research suggests that cannabis might play a role in preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, primarily through its anti-inflammatory and neuro protective properties. Here’s what you need to know:

• Anti-inflammatory Benefits: Dr. Gary Wenk from Ohio State University has explored how compounds in cannabis could reduce inflammation in the brain, a known factor in Alzheimer's progression. Inflammation in the brain contributes to the neuro degeneration seen in Alzheimer's. Cannabis, particularly certain cannabinoids, has shown potential in mitigating this inflammation. Watch Dr. Wenk's lecture for a deep dive into his research here.

• Neuro protection: Studies suggest that cannabinoids might help in protecting neurons from damage and death, which is crucial because Alzheimer's involves the progressive loss of neurons. Components like CBD and THC have been studied for their neuro protective effects, potentially reducing the risk or slowing the progression of cognitive decline.

• Cannabis Use Linked to Lower Dementia Risk. That’s according to a study in Neuroscience, which found, “Recreational cannabis use may be associated with a significant decrease in the odds of experiencing subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in adults over 45. Analyzing data from the CDC’s 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, researchers found that recreational users had 96% lower odds of reporting SCD compared to non-users.”

Summary

In Summary: Cannabis shows potential in Alzheimer's disease management and possibly in prevention, mainly through its neuro protective and anti-inflammatory properties. However, anyone considering cannabis for Alzheimer's should consult healthcare providers due to the complex nature of both the plant's compounds and the disease itself. The journey from promising research to accepted medical practice continues, with the community watching eagerly for more definitive studies.

This summary encapsulates the hopeful yet cautious stance on cannabis for Alzheimer's prevention, reflecting current research insights and public discourse.

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Disclaimer: The content provided in this newsletter by BudMed Bulletin is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or the use of medical cannabis.