Does Cannabis Relieve Alzheimer’s Symptoms?
by MADELINE FERGUSON
As we dive into Utah’s medical marijuana program and the list of approved conditions, we will go deeper into the limited science on using cannabis to relieve symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Those who have cared for an Alzheimer’s patient know how devastating the disease can be. It’s a degenerative disease of the brain that causes dementia, the loss of cognitive functioning which results in patients losing abilities like memory, thinking skills and the ability to carry out simple tasks.
Typically, the disease appears later in life (usually after 65) and is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. It usually begins with memory loss and progresses in three stages, mild, moderate and severe. The severe end of the disease results in loss of brain mass and loss of communication, patients with severe Alzheimer’s require constant care.
There is no known treatment for the disease.
Cannabis and Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease is one of the approved conditions for use of medical cannabis in Utah, but what does the science say?
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One of the hardest symptoms of the disease for patients and caretakers is agitation. A Canadian study looked at how cannabinoids, the compounds found in cannabis, helped agitation in Alzheimer’s patients. The study also looked at whether or not cannabinoids could help patients with symptoms such as loss of appetite and pain, which are common ailments.
The study found that patients treated with the cannabinoid had “significantly reduced” agitation and improved behavioral symptoms. The most common side effect was increased sedation.
More research is needed to determine the usefulness and any potential side effects in using cannabis to treat Alzheimer’s, but it’s a natural path of thinking to think that the symptoms cannabis can help treat are some of the symptoms of the disease. Doctors say research needs to focus on how cannabis affects an Alzheimer’s brain, not a regular brain because they are structurally different.
“If you make the choice to take one, your physician should be involved to assess any potential side effects or interactions with other medications,” said Alzheimer’s Association Director of Scientific Engagement Rebecca Edelmayer, Ph.D.
When doing your research on cannabis for Alzheimer’s it’s important to know that there is no known cure or medication preventative for the disease. Some companies will market their products as prevention, so it is important to be on the lookout for misinformation.
With that being said, cannabis is shown to help many of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and with the disease being a leading cause of death in the United States, medical marijuana is a valid means of treating symptoms to give patients a better quality of life.
This article is not intended to be medical advice. Any decisions for your health or the health of a loved one should be made in consultation with a medical professional.
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