Can You Treat Alzheimer's Disease with CBD Oil?

CBD is well known for its benefits. Today, CBD is used to treat different health conditions. Did you know that Alzheimer's is one of the diseases that can be treated using CBD Oil? Find out how CBD oil can be used to treat Alzheimer's.

Cannabidiol (CBD) has become increasingly popular in the past two decades in alleviating anxiety and pain, especially for individuals with chronic conditions. The CBD industry is growing rapidly as interest in CBD increases as many states continue to legalize medical and recreational cannabis. CBD is not a psychoactive compound. Hence it doesn't have an intoxicating effect. There's still not enough research into the relationship between CBD oil and Alzheimer's though the available research results are quite promising. There are no studies to show that CBD stops or prevents Alzheimer's. They indicate that CBD can help manage behavioral symptoms such as aggression. This article will help you learn more about CBD's role in relieving Alzheimer's.

What Is Alzheimer's

Most people assume Alzheimer's and dementia are the same, but that is not the case. Dementia is a term used to outline symptoms that affect memory, day-to-day activities, performance, and communication. Alzheimer's is a form of dementia that worsens with time. As Alzheimer's gets worse, individuals experience memory loss and cognitive difficulties. Learn more about how to use cbd oil for sleep?

What Is CBD?

CBD is extracted from the hemp plant. Hemp, related to marijuana, is dried, and the resin is removed. The compound contains THC and CBD. According to Desai et al. (2017), THC is the recreational form of cannabis associated with causing a high. In the United States, a product is only considered legal if it contains 0.03% THC. CBD is the medicinal form of cannabis that helps improve mood and alleviate inflammation. CBD doesn't exhibit the possibility of dependence or other health-related problems. CBD is believed to have anti-anxiety properties that can help promote calmness. In addition, CBD is the primary ingredient in Epidiolex, an FDA-approved medication that treats epilepsy.

What Does Research Say?

According to Tampi et al. (2022), behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) reduce after using cannabinoids. The effectiveness of cannabinoids on BPSD can't be confirmed due to limited sample sizes and the short trial duration of the studies.

CBD may help treat and prevent Alzheimer's since components of CBD could potentially suppress symptoms such as loss of memory and behavior disorders. Its believed that combining CBD and THC may be more useful than using one of them alone. However, further research is still needed to deduce whether CBD helps treat Alzheimer's.

Can CBD Oil Help with Mental and Physical Symptoms of Alzheimer's?

Alzheimer's leads to changes in behavior, such as

• Social withdrawal
• Aggressive behavior
• Sleep disturbance

Moltke & Hindocha (2021) suggested that CBD is used to help people with anxiety, poor sleep, and pain. CBD has proved to help alleviate anxiety and stress; it is believed to reduce these symptoms in people with Alzheimer's. Due to how Alzheimer's affects the brain, one may become agitated. At times this agitation may worsen and even turn out violent. CBD may be of help in such situations. In addition, CBD may help:

• Alleviate inflammation
• Minimize oxygen buildup
• Reduce decline of memory and other brain functions.

Inflammation

Inflammation is your body's natural response to an injury. Neuroinflammation is associated with Alzheimer's. This disease brings about clumps of proteins in the brain, making it difficult for the brain to make connections. Karl et al. (2017) noted that CBD might alleviate inflammation and help with Alzheimer's.

Oxygen Buildup

Oxygen buildup correlates with inflammation in the brain. Whenever brain tissues expand, oxygen is released. Therefore, more inflammation means more oxygen buildup. When more oxygen is released into the brain, the brain fails to function as it should. This may bring about memory loss. Oxygen is also released whenever the body is under stress, often in individuals with Alzheimer's. CBD may help minimize stress and alleviate the negative effects of oxygen on the brain.

Brain Function and Memory

According to Papadopoulou et al. (2022), As Alzheimer's progress, brain tissues die, and function is lost. However, this process can take time. CBD has the potential to stop the loss of memory in patients who have Alzheimer's. Moreover, CBD helps stimulate the brain to maintain connections within the brain and possibly delay the effects of Alzheimer's. Nevertheless, only minimal clinical trials have been carried out to determine the effects of CBD on Alzheimer's, making it hard to conclude scientifically.

Below are some of the symptoms of progressed Alzheimer's:

• Difficulties in speaking and writing
• Withdrawal from loved ones
• Loss of memory
• Decreased judgment. Learn more about how to use cbd oil for sciatica?

How to Choose Your Dosage

There are different forms of CBD available in the market, but CBD oils are the best choice for people who can't take pills. The amount of CBD one should take completely depends on various factors, including:

• Body weight
• The condition you're treating
• CBD's concentration
• Age
• Other prescribed medication

It is vital to talk to your doctor before using CBD. Your physician may determine an ideal dose for you. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to regulate CBD. Therefore there is no official recommended dosage. It would be helpful if you stuck to what your physician suggests. Rather, you can start with a small dosage and gradually increase it until it works for your symptoms.

Side Effects of CBD Oil

According to McGrath (2018), CBD is well tolerated by most people. However, it has some side effects, and it is important to be aware of these. The most pronounced side effects include:

• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Reduced appetite
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness

The following are the least common side effects of CBD:

• Decreased sperm count
• Reduced coordination
• Coughing and Red eyes.

At times the side effects of CBD are related to the method of consumption and the dose taken. Therefore before you quit using CBD, try changing the consumption method or reducing the dose. Also, be careful when using other medications with the same side effects as CBD since the side effects could worsen.

CBD is metabolized by similar liver enzymes that metabolize certain medications. Hence it may increase or reduce the blood levels of some medications. It's best to consult your doctor to determine whether it's safe or not to use CBD oil, especially if you're on any chronic medication.

Conclusion

CBD oil has been making headlines as more testimonials arise from individuals who've successfully used CBD products to treat severe medical conditions. Though there is a need for more research on the precise effect of CBD oil on Alzheimer's, there's enough evidence to suggest that it has the potential to be the coveted cure for this illness. As much as there might be people opposing the aspect of the efficiency of CBD oil, facts don't lie, and neither do the millions of individuals worldwide whose symptoms of Alzheimer's have improved since they began using CBD oil.

References

Desai, R., Patel, U., Sharma, S., Amin, P., Bhuva, R., Patel, M. S., ... & Kumar, G. (2017). Recreational Marijuana Use And Acute Myocardial Infarction: Insights From Nationwide Inpatient Sample In The United States. Cureus, 9(11).

Karl, T., Garner, B., & Cheng, D. (2017). The Therapeutic Potential Of The Phytocannabinoid Cannabidiol For Alzheimer's Disease. Behavioral Pharmacology, 28(2), 142-160.

Mcgrath, S., Bartner, L. R., Rao, S., Kogan, L. R., & Hellyer, P. W. (2018). A Report Of Adverse Effects Associated With The Administration Of Cannabidiol In Healthy Dogs. Vet Med, 1, 6-8.

Moltke, J., & Hindocha, C. (2021). Reasons For Cannabidiol Use: A Cross-Sectional Study Of CBD Users, Focusing On Self-Perceived Stress, Anxiety, And Sleep Problems. Journal Of Cannabis Research, 3(1), 1-12.

Papadopoulou, L., Alexandri, F., Tsolaki, A., Moraitou, D., Konsta, A., & Tsolaki, M. (2022). Neuropsychiatric Symptoms In Dementia. The Added Value Of Cannabinoids. Are They Safe And Effective Choices? Case Series With Cannabidiol 3%. Ann. Case Rep, 7, 799

Tampi, R. R., Bhattacharya, G., & Marpuri, P. (2022). Managing Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms Of Dementia (BPSD) In The Era Of Boxed Warnings. Current Psychiatry Reports, 1-10.