Can CBD Improve Quality of Life for Alzheimer’s Patients?  

This article explains the relationship between CBD and Alzheimer's patients. It first explains the forms and types of CBD used in managing Alzheimer's disease. Additively, it highlights the causes and symptoms of the disease, and concludes with the benefits of CBD products to Alzheimer's patients.

Cannabidiol has become a popular dietary supplement for treating various health issues, including general pain, seizures, and Alzheimer's disease. Research shows changes in the endocannabinoid system in Alzheimer's patients' brain plays an important role. CBD interacts with the system due to its ability to alleviate neuroinflammation and promote the development of new brain cells. There is evidence that CBD can stop, reverse, or prevent the disease, but some studies suggest it can help manage a few behavioral signs of disease, such as aggression and agitation. Since there is no cure for Alzheimer's, there is an open door for additional treatment like CBD to soothe its symptoms.

What is CBD?

White & Michael (2019) described CBD as an active chemical compound extracted from the cannabis plant. It is mostly found in dried leaves, flowers, and plant stalks. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD won't get its users' highness. It provides therapeutic effects associated with marijuana like pain management, good sleep, and calmness effects. CBD does not always contain THC psychoactive compounds. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CBD products contain less than Full-spectrum CBD, with all compounds of the cannabis plant, including THC.

• Like full-spectrum, broad-spectrum CBD is not pure. It contains almost all compounds of the sativa plant and very little or no THC.
• 3% THC.
• During extraction, various methodologies are used by different companies resulting in three different types of CBD, including;
• CBD isolate, the purest and mostly used to make chemical products for the health sector.

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

Citron & Martin (2010) stated that it is a mental disorder associated with dementia and affects individuals' memory, thoughts, and behavior. It is most common in seniors as age increases above 65 years. Alzheimer’s worsens with time, starting with memory loss and reduced ability to have a conversation and respond to their environment. Neuron transmission problems and brain damage result in the following symptoms:

• Behavior changes
• Aggression and agitations
• Memory loss
• anxiety
• Language problems
• Loss of ability to communicate
• Repetitively asking questions

The following are the causes of Alzheimer's disease

• Damage to nerve cell function
• Age
• Head injuries
• Brain infections
• Genetic transmission
• Changes in environment, e.g., contaminants.
• Change in amyloid protein
• Heart diseases.

How to Take CBD Dosage for Alzheimer's Patients?

There are many forms of CBD in the health markets. Alzheimer’s patients prefer oils, pills, and CBD edibles. Many patients commonly use CBD oils to tackle the disease.

CBD Oil

There are several ways to consume the product depending on the age of Alzheimer's patient. It can be taken orally by use of a dropper. The dropper helps regulate the amount of dosage the patient takes. It can also be placed under the tongue for a few seconds and then swallowed. CBD oil can be infused into foods and drinks using good recipe methods if you don't want the undesirable oily flavor. However, the technique requires caution since excessive heat can damage the composition of CBD products, making them less effective. Lastly, for the elderly with swallowing issues, CBD is made in the form of vapes sprayed on patients' mouths. It is effective since soft mouth tissues quickly absorb the CBD compounds into the bloodstream. Learn more about cbd for back pain

CBD Edibles

The commonly used edible is Gummies. It is a popular way to take CBD since each gummy contains the same amount of CBD per package, making it easier to know what the Alzheimers patient takes.

Pills or Capsule Pills

They contain equal doses of CBD, easing regulation of the dosage.

CBD Topicals

Since Alzheimer's patients may be aggressive, they may end up hurting themselves. CBD topical like creams or lotions can be used to alleviate muscle or joint patients.

CBD dosage for Alzheimer's patients depends on various factors, including:

• Body weight of the patient
• Age of the patient
• Type of medication patient is under
• Patient body chemistry
• The condition patient is treating.

Beginners should start with a small dosage and grow gradually or stick with the doctor's suggestions.

Benefits of CBD in Managing Alzheimer's Disease

Watt, Georgia & Karl (2017) explained CBD benefits to Alzheimer's patients. CBD is gaining momentum in the health world, with studies showing it helps manage mental disorders such as anxiety and memory loss. It is famous for managing Alzheimer's disease symptoms such as;

Inflammation

Inflammation is how the natural body responds to injuries. Neuroinflammation is very common in this mental disorder. Alzheimer's causes clumps of proteins to build up in the brain, thus altering brain functions. Body response with neuroinflammation worsens the situation, making brain signaling and connectivity to other parts difficult. CBD is anti-inflammatory hence consumed by the patients reduces this neuroinflammation, helping the brain to regain its normal function.

Improves Memory and Brain Functions

As Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, brain tissues and cells die gradually, and their functions are lost. CBD helps in stopping this gradual process by helping in the production of new brain cells. With time, it stimulates the brain to help keep connections with memories, reversing the brain functions.

Reduction of Anxiety and Aggression

Alzheimer’s patients are characterized by aggression and anxiety. It is due to the inability of the patient's body to produce serotonin hormone, which helps reduce negative thoughts. The interaction between CBD and CB2 receptors responsible for moderating moods helps the patients overcome these symptoms.

Potential Side Effects of CBD

Ahmed et al. (2015) noted that the unreliability of the purity and dosage of CBD products in treating Alzheimer's disease can result in the following side effects.

• Reduced appetite
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness and fatigue
• Stomach issues

Conclusion

The interest in CBD in treating Alzheimer's disease is growing. CBD's nature, such as anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, non-addictive, neuroprotective, non-psychoactive, and anti-convulsant, makes it very popular in controlling most mental heart disorders. There is no evidence that CBD can prevent or cure the disorder by relieving memory loss, aggression, anxiety, and inflammations. There are limited side effects of CBD in treating the disorder, though this applies to pure CBD products. Some companies misrepresent CBD products by providing products with other strains.

References

White, C. M. (2019). A review of human studies assessing cannabidiol's (CBD) therapeutic actions and potential. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 59(7), 923-934.

Citron, M. (2010). Alzheimer's disease: strategies for disease modification. Nature reviews Drug discovery, 9(5), 387-398.

Watt, G., & Karl, T. (2017). In vivo evidence for therapeutic properties of cannabidiol (CBD) for Alzheimer's disease. Frontiers in pharmacology, 8, 20.

Ahmed, A. I., Van Der Marck, M. A., Van Den Elsen, G. A. H., & Olde Rikkert, M. G. M. (2015). Cannabinoids in late‐onset Alzheimer's disease. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 97(6), 597-606.