We don’t yet have the answers for how to prevent and cure Alzheimer’s disease, but the therapeutic benefits of CBD are driving research to find better treatment solutions. While a lot of research is focused on understanding how CBD may be able to prevent Alzheimer’s, much more is focused on how CBD may be able to slow or stop existing conditions of patients who already have Alzheimer’s. Exciting new research has ignited new hope that safer, more effective medication options for Alzheimer’s patients will soon be available. The enthusiasm for this research is grounded in CBD’s proven capability to heal and protect brain cells.
“The psychoactive compound of cannabis rids the brain of the toxic protein that causes Alzheimer’s”.
Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be caused by nerve cell death, caused by the accumulation of amyloid proteins. The build-up of proteins triggers a toxic inflammatory response that eventually leads to brain cell death. There are no drugs that significantly inhibit this process.
Enter cannabis, which is now legalised as a prescription medicine in Australia, since 2016.
A 2016 study found cannabinoids, such as THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol), stimulate the removal of the beta amyloid protein, block the inflammatory response caused by the protein, and therefore protect against nerve cell death. The finding supports previous studies that found cannabinoids to be effective against neurodegenerative disease.
Fortunately, mine was an early diagnosis, allowing me time to plan ahead, seek treatment and understand the progression of the underlying disease. A cholinesterase inhibitor drug was prescribed, specifically to treat my symptoms related to memory, thinking, language, judgment and thought processes. However, as Alzheimer’s progresses, brain cells die and connections among cells are lost, causing cognitive symptoms to worsen.
After several months ingesting cholinesterase, I felt the constant nausea and body aches and pains (common side effects of this medication) throughout my body were not a fair trade for what may or may not slow down this incurable disease. I researched alternate possible treatments and soon learned that CBD (Cannabidiol) as an alternative to mainstream pharmaceuticals is gaining popularity as a treatment for the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other related dementias.
There is no single test for Alzheimer’s disease. Your GP will first need to rule out conditions that can have similar symptoms, particularly depression. Symptoms can also be caused by infections, vitamin and thyroid deficiencies (diagnosed from a blood test) and side effects of prescription medication.
Steve did more research and started to give cannabis oil sublingually to his father. Slowly, over several weeks, his father was first able to hold eye contact, and soon after speak a few words. Over time, his father stopped taking most of his prescribed medication, and is now able to sleep soundly. Now aged 92 and living in aged care, Steve’s dad has been granted a quality of life not expected after such a severe stroke. His Alzheimer’s is not progressing further and he has regained his sense of humour.
Unfortunately, many individuals with these conditions reside in assisted living or other communities specially designed for persons with Alzheimer’s. In these facilities residents receive assistance managing their medications. Given the rapidly changing legal status of CBD, many families wonder if CBD is available to assisted living residents. What if those residents do not manage their own medications? What about in memory care where people with Alzheimer’s cannot manage their own medications, but have had positive experiences with CBD for treating symptoms?
The psychoactive compound of marijuana helps the brain break down the toxic protein that causes Alzheimer’s. Neurodegenerative diseases are thought to be caused by nerve cell death; caused by the accumulation of amyloid proteins. The build-up of the proteins triggers a toxic inflammatory response that eventually leads to brain cell death. There are no drugs that significantly inhibit this process. A 2016 study found cannabinoids, such as THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol), stimulate the removal of the beta amyloid protein, block the inflammatory response caused by the protein, and therefore protect against nerve cell death. The finding supports previous studies that found cannabinoids to be effective against neurodegenerative disease.
Almost overnight dad’s anxiety eased. We know there is no cure for dad, but any medication that can improve his quality of life if ok with us!
Age-related cognitive decline begins much earlier than previously expected… by our mid-40s! Even more distressing, this decline can progress at unpredictable rates. The dementia-related conditions that can be helped by CBD include: Alzheimer’s Disease, Vascular Dementia, Dementia with Lew bodies (DLB), Parkinson’s Disease, Frontotemporal dementia and Huntington’s disease. Scientific evidence out of the Californian Salk Institute has found that cannabinoids such as CBD could help remove dementia from, and increase connections between, brain cells.
There are four ways CBD may work to improve health outcomes for persons with Alzheimer’s…
· By reducing inflammation
· Promoting cell growth
· By reducing oxygen build-up and
· By working as a brain stimulant and neuro-protectant
From a user’s perspective, CBD may reduce stress and anxiety in the individual with Alzheimer’s, as well as reduce the decline of memory and other brain functions.
The topic of CBD health benefits continues to grow with new CBD and Alzheimer’s research. In recent studies, CBD has been shown to reduce or remove the impact of inflammation, oxygen build-up and brain cell decline. Inflammation has been shown to increase the negative impact of Alzheimer’s disease. The inflammatory response happens when the brain’s immune cells fail to clear disorienting blockages. The inflammation that is a core cause of Alzheimer’s symptoms can often be reduced by using CBD oil. Oxygen is released as a reactive, stress-induced component of Alzheimer’s disease.
When inflammation happens in the brain, oxygen is released as a result. The greater the inflammation, the greater the negative impact. Important brain functions such as memory are decreased as more oxygen is released in the brain’s cells. Memory loss and other brain deterioration indirectly leads to increased oxygen in the bran. CBD is an antioxidant, which helps reduce the problems associated with oxygen stress. Brain functions negatively impacted by oxygen stress can be improved by using CBD. Alzheimer’s patients’ brain cells often show a path or rapid decline and destruction. The potential of stimulating brain tissue was recently discovered as a potential benefit of CBD.
In clinical trials, CBD has shown the ability to reverse and even precent the development of Alzheimer’s negative impact. A 2011 study by Australian researchers Tim Karl and Carl Group found that CBD promotes the growth and development of brain cells, reducing the decline of memory and other brain functions.
At iCannabis we are focused on bringing the purest and most bioavailable medical cannabis to Australian patients and their families.
We are a group that specialises in educating and helping Australia patients gain access to Cannabis for Medical purposes. Through education and real-life experiences with the healing powers of this plant.
Once you discover the documented benefits tens of thousands of patients around the world have received from the medicine, you too will realise how this can potentially change and improve the lives of you and your family.
