CBD, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Dementia

Alzheimer’s Disease is a poorly understood neurodegenerative disease that makes up 60-70% of dementia cases that silently begins and progressively worsens, with no real treatment. As the disease progresses, symptoms can include loss of memory, problems with language, disorientation, and mood swings, often causing withdrawal from family and society. As the person’s condition declines, bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death. Although the speed of progression can vary, the typical life expectancy following diagnosis is three to nine years.

Sadly, the cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not well understood. From environmental and genetic factors to trauma and high blood pressure, the progression of AD is largely associated with amyloid plaque build-up, causing a loss of neuronal connections in the brain. Initial symptoms are often mistaken for normal aging, and more needs to be studied, especially in cases of Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease that take the lives of young, healthy persons for reasons no one has yet to explain. We know the primary cause of Alzheimer’s Disease is neuroinflammation, resulting in synaptic and neuronal damage, so it is crucial that we look at new treatments to conserve our neuronal integrity. Cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid which is derived from cannabis, has been shown to have excellent neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, most commonly in the long-standing efficacy in neuropathic pain management for epilepsy.

According to the European Journal of Medicine, CBD mitigates Aβ-induced (Amyloid beta proteins) cognitive deficits by modulating microglial activity, promoting neurotrophic factor release, and regulating inflammatory genes. The administration of CBD has been demonstrated to have a protective effect against Aβ toxicity, and chronic CBD treatments have been shown to reverse social and object recognition memory deficits, as well as impaired social recognition memory and spatial learning. The progressive cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s & Dementia due to the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ proteins) causing neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation currently has no treatments to stop or reverse the disease progression, highlighting the need for more effective therapeutics. The Phyto cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, and the inclusion of CBD in Alzheimer’s Disease prevention needs to be considered.

With concerns regarding the chronic use of pharmaceuticals and the peripheral damage it places on the human body with long-term use, CBD is presenting itself as possibly the overall best alternative for Alzheimer’s Dementia treatment because of its ability to mitigate further degradation of neuronal and synaptic damage. These findings are also compelling in improving the daily health of seniors concerned about the onset of these neuropathies. Adding CBD to your overall health and wellness as a preventative, potentially slowing the onset and progression of many disorders, could be a game changer for our aging community.

Author

Jeff Boogaard, U.S. Navy Veteran & Founder of Cannabreeze a 100% vertically integrated seed-to-sale hemp farm and company located in Loudoun County, Virginia.

This post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition and before starting any new treatments.