Alzheimer's disease and cannabis

People are increasingly seeking natural alternatives to traditional pharmaceutical products in the hope of finding a way to stay healthy without having to fill their bodies with artificial chemicals. In recent years, the use of CBD has surpassed that of other forms of natural supplements, quickly becoming the first choice for most people.

This has led to an increase in the amount of research being conducted on CBD and its potential health benefits. It is generally accepted that CBD is good for the immune system and is frequently recommended as a daily natural supplement. However, there is still a great deal of uncertainty regarding its ability to treat some of the most challenging health conditions of the 21st century, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Research into the potential effects of CBD on Alzheimer's disease is still ongoing, but CBD could change the way the disease is managed in the future.

Before we look at how CBD might help people with Alzheimer's disease, let's take a look at what Alzheimer's disease is.

What is Alzheimer's disease?

People often confuse Alzheimer's disease with dementia, using the two terms interchangeably. Dementia is actually an umbrella term that refers to a number of different conditions related to memory. It can be caused by a variety of factors that lead to a decline in a person’s cognitive function to the point where it affects their ability to perform normal daily tasks.

L’Alzheimer's Society describes dementia as «a set of symptoms that includes memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving, or language.» This can occur for a number of reasons, including brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen, such as when a person has a heart attack. Or it can result from a disease such as Alzheimer’s disease. In short, dementia is a broader term that refers to cognitive decline, while Alzheimer’s disease is just one of the possible causes of dementia.

The brain is a complex system containing billions of nerve cells that are all connected and communicate with one another. In a brain affected by Alzheimer’s disease, there is an accumulation of proteins called beta-amyloids and the formation of tangles made up of a protein called tau. These can slow down communication between nerve cells.

When proteins build up in the brain, they form clumps—also known as plaques and tangles—that prevent nerve cells from receiving important chemicals, causing them to eventually die. The chemicals in the brain that allow signals to travel between nerve cells are significantly reduced in people with Alzheimer’s disease. This prevents the brain from functioning to its full potential.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive condition, which means that its effects develop over time as the number of damaged and dying cells increases. Eventually, the number of cells lost is so high that it affects every aspect of patients’ daily lives. This includes their motor skills, language, ability to process memories, and personality.

Scientists do not yet fully understand the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease, which makes it difficult to identify those most at risk and to develop preventive treatments. The majority of cases occur in people over the age of 65, although in the United Kingdom alone, more than 40,000 people under the age of 65 have some form of early-onset dementia.

Unfortunately, despite extensive research, there isn’t much that can be done to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Here are some recommendations from the Alzheimer’s Society that may be helpful:

• Living a Healthy Lifestyle
• Exercise
• Eat a balanced diet
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Staying Mentally and Socially Active

The early signs of Alzheimer's disease include memory lapses and difficulty learning new information. This is because the hippocampus is usually the first area of the brain to be affected by the disease.

The hippocampus is the area of the brain with the highest concentration of naturally occurring cannabinoids. This finding has led to a number of studies aimed at determining whether CBD use can have a positive impact on the hippocampus and, consequently, on Alzheimer’s disease.

Let's take a closer look at CBD and see if it really has the potential to halt the effects of Alzheimer's disease.

The Science Behind CBD

CBD is just one of the many natural cannabinoids found in cannabis plants and one of the main compounds responsible for all the health benefits we associate with cannabis. Cannabinoids aren’t limited to plants, as our bodies naturally produce a similar group of chemicals called endocannabinoids. These two groups of chemicals are believed to work throughout our bodies to help us stay healthy and balanced, both mentally and physically.

The CBD found in cannabis plants works with the cannabinoids in our bodies by interacting with the CB1 and CB2 receptors and regulating everything from how we feel pain to our mood. CB2 receptors are responsible for our body’s ability to manage pain and inflammation.

CB1 receptors, on the other hand, are primarily located in the brain. Cannabinoids that bind to CB1 receptors are responsible for a wide range of functions, such as influencing certain moods and emotions, playing a role in learning and memory, and affecting how we perceive pain.

Numerous studies, such as one study A cross-sectional study conducted by Jamie Corroon and Joy A. Philips for the *Journal of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research* has shown that CBD generally has a positive impact on our health. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has even approved CBD as a medication for the treatment of certain forms of epilepsy.

Research into the exact effects of CBD on other conditions is still ongoing, particularly regarding its specific impact on Alzheimer’s disease. So, what exactly do we know so far about the impact CBD may have on people with Alzheimer’s disease?

How is CBD thought to affect Alzheimer's disease?

CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as shown by various studies, including one study the seminal work by Nagarkatti et al. for the *Journal of Future Medicinal Chemistry*. This basic principle has sparked extensive research around the world, in the hope of discovering exactly how CBD works in the brain of a person with Alzheimer’s disease.

The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD theoretically reduce the damage caused by the body’s inflammatory response when proteins accumulate.

An in vitro study on rat cells, conducted by Iuvone T et al. for the *Journal of Neurochemistry*, involved treating the cells with CBD before exposing them to beta-amyloid. The study demonstrated that CBD could have protective effects on the cells.

Visit 2017, a review of studies by Georgia Watt and Tim Karl for the *Journal of Frontiers in Pharmacology* revealed that some studies support the idea that CBD may promote brain cell growth. When CBD was administered to rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease, it was able to slow the decline in memory and cognitive function.

People also often use CBD to treat anxiety and stress. These are two conditions commonly observed in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, which are thought to result from a growing lack of understanding of and connection to the patients’ environment.

Although this has no direct impact on the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, trying to alleviate these symptoms can make life a little easier for someone suffering from anxiety related to Alzheimer’s disease.

How does CBD compare to other medications?

There are a number of different treatments available for people with Alzheimer's disease. Although none of them can completely reverse or halt the progression of symptoms, they can slow the effects of the disease.

However, medications can target specific symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease to make life a little easier to manage. It’s a bit like taking a pain reliever to make the effects of a headache bearable.

Doctors tend to recommend three main medications to patients in the early and intermediate stages of Alzheimer's disease: donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine.

These three medications have slightly different effects and are suitable for different people, but in general, they stimulate chemical messengers in the brain. This results in improved concentration and motivation, as well as helping the body process memories. These medications may also be helpful for patients who experience anxiety related to Alzheimer’s disease.

The big question, however, is whether CBD can be used to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease in the same way as prescription medications.

Unfortunately, there is currently no specific research to support this claim.

That doesn't mean, however, that CBD doesn't have the potential to do so, but simply that our current understanding of Alzheimer's disease and CBD is still missing some important pieces of the puzzle.

Researchers around the world are constantly working to find an answer to this question. They hope that CBD might be the solution to what is a growing health problem.

Final Thoughts on CBD and Alzheimer's Disease

There is still a great deal of research to be done on Alzheimer's disease and its causes, as well as on how CBD can help slow its progression and relieve symptoms.

Research has shown, however, that there are very few reasons to avoid taking CBD, even if it is only as a supplement. That said, if you’re taking other medications, it’s best to consult your doctor before starting CBD to ensure there won’t be any adverse interactions.