Can CBD Help Seniors with Alzheimer's & Dementia?

CBD oil alleviates various symptoms of dementia, such as inflammation and oxygen build-up. This article discusses the basics of CBD oil, understanding on dementia, what research says about CBD oil and dementia, whether CBD oil is safe for dementia.

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of the over one hundred chemical compounds existing naturally in the cannabis plant. Most individuals confuse it with tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC), the compound responsible for the ‘high’ effect. However, unlike THC, CBD is non-psychotropic and promotes calming and relaxing effects. CBD is available in various formulations, including oils, tinctures, vapes, edibles and capsules. CBD oil is the most popular form. It's convenient and easy to use. According to research, CBD  oil tackles various health conditions such as anxiety, pain, depression, cancer-related symptoms and stress. It binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors upon ingestion, providing the body with the needed relief. Even though CBD oil has shown promising results, it is worth noting that more research is required to confirm these claims.

Basics of CBD Oil

CBD oil is the most popular form of CBD. It contains CBD as its main active ingredient. It is available in three formulations:full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolates. Full-spectrum CBD oil features all the cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, including insignificant amounts of THC. The broad spectrum contains all the other compounds, excluding THC and CBD isolate has CBD solely.

Understanding Dementia

Dementia refers to the myriad of particular medical conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease. (Fazio et al., 2020)It generally affects the brain, leading to memory and language loss symptoms. Unusual brain changes cause this condition. As a result, the changes cause a decrease in cognitive abilities(thinking skills). They may be severe enough to significantly impact an individual’s daily life. Dementia also affects relationships and general behaviour. The most common causes of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

Dementia signs and symptoms vary greatly. They include problems such as:

• Short term memory
• Failure to pay bills
• Failure to remember appointments
• Unable to keep track of a wallet

Dementia is a progressive condition. It means its signs begin slowly and then get worse with time. If you are experiencing any of the above signs, it is important to get medical help soon before the condition worsens. Learn more about can cbd help you lose weight?

Causes of Dementia

Dementia is a result of damaged brain cells. Consequently, it interferes with how the brain neurons communicate. Miscommunication between brain cells affects both behaviour and feelings. Learn more about cbd and surgery recovery

What Research Says About CBD Oil for Dementia

A 2010 review confirms that no evidence confirms that CBD oil can tackle or prevent dementia symptoms. However, earlier studies show that CBD oil has promising results. As a result, researchers require more human trials to understand better its potential for dementia. This review stated that CBD oil helped improve behaviour symptoms linked with dementia and other neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. It commented that it could be an alternative to some dementia medications.

Another 2016 study stated that cannabidiol oil could eradicate dementia from the brain cells. CBD and other cannabinoids in the cannabis plant interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which has been associated with dementia.

With the available findings, scientists are trying to understand the link between CBD oil as a potential treatment for dementia. However, much research must be understood and found to back up these claims. To date, no accurate conclusion has been discovered linking CBD oil as a treatment for dementia.

CBD Oil for Dementia

So far, not much is known concerning CBD oil and dementia treatment. Some individuals want to take CBD oil to relieve some dementia symptoms even though it has shown no effect in slowing down the condition.

Phan et al. (2019)noted that some symptoms of dementia include

• Depression
• Agitation
• Memory loss
• General confusion
• Anxiety
• Difficulty completing daily tasks

Luckily, CBD oil boasts anxiolytic properties that tackle anxiety and depression. Apart from that, its interaction with the ECS results in the production of feel-good hormones(serotonin and dopamine) and a decrease in the stress hormone (cortisol), alleviating the patient's anxiety. According to this review, CBD oil may tackle various symptoms but couldn’t help with others such as memory loss.

According to the dementia care central CBD may help with the following:

Inflammation

Neuro inflammation is associated with multiple dementia formulations, such as Alzheimer’s disease. It leads to protein clumps accumulating in the brain. As a result, it affects the brain’s function over time. As the body responds, the area becomes inflamed, making it hard for brain connections. Costiniuk et al. (2020) commented that, since CBD is a potent anti-inflammatory agent, it tackles this problem and helps with dementia.

Oxygen Build-up

Oxygen build-up is tied to brain inflammation. The more the brain tissue expands, the more oxygen is released. So, more inflammation causes a higher oxygen build-up. Due to this, the brain becomes less functional.  In addition, stress is also linked to oxygen build-up. Luckily, CBD contains anxiolytic properties that alleviate stress; as a result,it minimising negative oxygen effects.

So far, the findings are limited and more research is needed to back up these medical claims.

Is CBD Oil Safe for Dementia?

According to the World Health Organisation, CBD is generally safe. However, the food and standard agency doesn't approve over-the-counter CBD medications. As a result, the quality of the product varies from one company to the other.

Sartin et al. (2021) stated that even though most individuals well tolerate CBD oil, it may cause mild side effects such as:

• Fatigue
• Changes in appetite and weight
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Diarrhoea

Before taking CBD oil for your condition, it is vital to seek medical consultation. Additionally, avoid taking CBD oil while under any medications since it results in a negative reaction.

Summary

Dementia is a neurological disorder that results in memory loss. One of its major causes includes damaged brain cells. Some symptoms of dementia include; depression, agitation, anxiety and general confusion. CBD boasts of anxiolytic properties that help alleviate anxiety, helping individuals with dementia. Besides that, it reduces oxygen build-up and inflammation, which are mostly linked to dementia. Studies confirm that CBD oil could eradicate dementia from the brain cells due to its interaction with the endocannabinoid system. Regarding dosage, it is best to start slow and low. Additionally, it is recommended to seek medical assistance before using CBD oil for dementia.

References

Costiniuk, C. T., &Jenabian, M. A. (2020). Acute inflammation and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection: Cannabidiol as a potential anti-inflammatory treatment?. Cytokine & growth factor reviews, 53, 63.

Fazio, S., Zimmerman, S., Doyle, P. J., Shubeck, E., Carpenter, M., Coram, P., ... & Pike, J. (2020). What is really needed to provide effective, person-centered care for behavioral expressions of dementia? Guidance from the Alzheimer's Association dementia care provider roundtable. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 21(11), 1582-1586.

Fazio, S., Zimmerman, S., Doyle, P. J., Shubeck, E., Carpenter, M., Coram, P., ... & Pike, J. (2020). What is really needed to provide effective, person-centered care for behavioral expressions of dementia? Guidance from the Alzheimer's Association dementia care provider roundtable. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 21(11), 1582-1586.

Phan, S. V., Osae, S., Morgan, J. C., Inyang, M., & Fagan, S. C. (2019). Neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia: considerations for pharmacotherapy in the USA. Drugs in R&D, 19(2), 93-115.