Cannabidiol, or CBD, has gained a reputation over the past couple of years for soothing pain and reducing anxiety [1]. In 2018, the FDA approved CBD to treat rare forms of childhood epilepsy [2]. As the interest in CBD continues to grow and more states in the US move to legalize recreational cannabis, certain questions begin to arise. What else can CBD do? Can it, for instance, help with Alzheimer’s disease?
While the current level of research has yet to determine whether cannabidiol can prevent, slow, or treat Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, some studies suggest that CBD oil may help with certain symptoms, including aggression and agitation.
Let’s take a look at the current research and ongoing clinical trials, so you can decide for yourself if CBD is an option.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Many people confuse Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, but the truth is that they are not the same thing. Dementia is a broad term that is used to describe a condition impacting memory and performance in one’s daily life.
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the condition is the “most common cause of dementia” and accounts for about 60-80% of all dementia cases [3]. The disease is progressive, getting worse with time. In the earliest stages, the loss of memory is mild, but as the disease worsens, the person affected may lose the ability to communicate or even respond to changes in the environment.
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, only treatments.
CBD Tincture 1000mg
What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?
Currently, research states that Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a variety of factors, such as: [4]
- Changes in amyloid proteins in the brain
- Damage to the nerve cells
- Family history of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
- Head injuries
- Infections
- Ages
- Environmental contaminants
- Cardiovascular disease
Does CBD Help With Alzheimer’s Disease?
Cannabidiol has tremendous potential to benefit the body. For example, research suggests that CBD may be used to soothe inflammation and combat insomnia [5. 6]. Controlling such issues will reduce stress on the mind and body, helping people obtain a sense of calm that is healthier than remaining agitated. Nearly 90% of patients diagnosed with dementia suffer from behavioral and psychological symptoms; 87% deal with increased agitation.
One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial took place in 2020 that looked at the effect of cannabidiol oil on agitation in those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease [7]. The results were astounding. The patients were at least 60 years old and had been diagnosed with significant behavioral disturbances. They were either given a prototype medication called “Avidekel,” a broad-spectrum oil that contained 30% CBD and 1% THC, or a placebo.
52 patients out of 60 completed the trial, and those who had received Avidekel showed a significant decrease in agitation over the course of 16 weeks, with the greatest improvement happening in the first half of the trial. The researchers also stated that side effects were non-serious.
Due to the success of this clinical trial, it has moved onto the second phase and will be wrapping up in 2023 [8]. If the second phase is as successful as the first, Avidekel may become a potential complementary therapy for Alzheimer’s disease in the future.
What Does Other Research Say About CBD Oil For Alzheimer’s?
While Alzheimer’s disease has not been the main focus of CBD research in recent years, the studies that are out there have made researchers hopeful.
A 2019 review of past studies found that components of cannabis—namely CBD—might be useful in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease [9]. The researchers noted that CBD may be able to suppress certain factors that cause the disease.
In 2021, researchers from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University found that, during a 2 week course, high doses of cannabidiol oil assisted with the decrease of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain [10]. The investigators reported that CBD may reduce the amount of inflammatory proteins and also trigger receptors that activate certain immune cells in mice [11].
Despite these results, it is important to keep in mind that most studies have been small or completed using animal models. More human-based clinical trials are required before it can be said for sure whether CBD has beneficial properties for Alzheimer’s disease.
Looking For High Quality CBD?
CBD oil has become a popular option for those who are looking to control anxiety, depression, pain, and other chronic health conditions. Although there is not yet scientific evidence to suggest that cannabidiol may improve or even treat Alzheimer’s Disease, initial clinical trials have had positive results. As such, you may consider giving CBD a try.
If you are looking for high quality CBD products, Sugar Bottom Hemp has you covered. Our wide variety of CBD products are made with minimally processed extracts from organically grown hemp. We also have our CBD analyzed by an independent third party lab. Take a look at our catalog—you are bound to find something you love.
Have questions? Send us a message!
Bibliography
- What To Know About CBD Extract. (2022, December 1). Sugar Bottom Hemp Co. https://sugarbottomhemp.com/what-to-know-about-cbd-extract/
- Office of the Commissioner. (2018, June 26). FDA Approves First Drug Comprised of an Active Ingredient Derived from Marijuana to Treat Rare, Severe Forms of Epilepsy. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-comprised-active-ingredient-derived-marijuana-treat-rare-severe-forms
- What is Alzheimer’s? (n.d.). Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers
- Breijyeh, Z., & Karaman, R. (2020). Comprehensive Review on Alzheimer’s Disease: Causes and Treatment. Molecules, 25(24), 5789. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25245789
- Atalay, S., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2019). Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol. Antioxidants, 9(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9010021
- Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente Journal, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/18-041
- Hermush, V., Ore, L., Stern, N., Mizrahi, N., Fried, M., Krivoshey, M., Staghon, E., Lederman, V. E., & Bar-Lev Schleider, L. (2022). Effects of rich cannabidiol oil on behavioral disturbances in patients with dementia: A placebo controlled randomized clinical trial. Frontiers in Medicine, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.951889
- Effects of THC-Free CBD Oil on Agitation in Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease | National Institute on Aging. (n.d.). https://www.alzheimers.gov/clinical-trials/cannabidiol-oil-agitation-people-alzheimers-disease
- Kim, S. H., Yang, J. W., Kim, K. H., Kim, J. U., & Yook, T. H. (2019). A Review on Studies of Marijuana for Alzheimer’s Disease – Focusing on CBD, THC. Journal of Pharmacopuncture, 22(4), 225–230. https://doi.org/10.3831/kpi.2019.22.030
- Khodadadi, H. (2021, January 1). Cannabidiol Ameliorates Cognitive Function via Regulation of IL-33 and TREM2 Upregulation in a Murine Model of Alzheimer’s Disease – IOS Press. https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad210026
- CBD reduces plaque, improves cognition in model of familial Alzheimer’s. (n.d.). ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210309192548.htm
