Can CBD help with treating Alzheimer's disease?
The answer is, of course, yes and no.
Let's talk about the Yes first though!
In a recent medical study taken by doctor's in Canada CBD and it's effective properties were described as follows:
"The cannabinoids in cannabis interact with a network of cell receptors throughout the human body called the endocannabinoid system. This system exists in our bodies to interact with the naturally-occurring endocannabinoids, which play a role in regulating a variety of different bodily functions.
Cannabinoid receptors are found in most tissues and organs, but are particularly numerous in the brain. When cannabis is consumed and its cannabinoids act on these receptors, they alter the release of neurochemicals in the brain, which changes how brain cells communicate with each other. This, in turn, affects various processes within our bodies, including appetite, pain, mood, memory and learning."
The full article for the excerpt above can be found here.
The medical journal goes on to describe the effectiveness of CBD to relieve many of the symptoms of patients with Alzheimer's but the research of cannabis and it's long-term effect is too limited to determine whether it is an effective preventative and treatment option for Alzheimer's disease.
While the results of CBD's effectiveness to treat the disease is unknown and there are many variables that need to be determined before finding the answer, the same group of doctors decided to conduct a controlled study of CBD treatment options for individuals dealing with the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
The full article with for the secondary study can be found here.
The further controlled trial hosted by the Alzheimer's society in Canada used a prescription of CBD known as "Nabilone". Nabilone is traditionally prescribed to treat nausea from chemotherapy and is a synthetic version of marijuana. The team of doctor's concluded the drug was obviously effective in treating many of the symptoms experienced by Alzheimer's patients without the negative side effects of long-term prescription options.
So, if you or a loved one is being effected by Alzheimer symptoms, a CBD product is a great option! The drug Nabilone does contain a synthetic form of THC along with the healthy cannabinoids found within a CBD product. A full spectrum product is best to treat the sleeplessness, mood-swings and chronic pains associated with Alzheimer's.