Cannabidiol is a compound derived from the Cannabis plant that has medicinal benefits without making people feel “high” or anxious. Cannabidiol has gained popularity in recent years for its ability to alleviate anxiety and pain, particularly in those suffering from chronic conditions. As interest in medical cannabis and CBD grows and states in the United States continue to legalize both medical and recreational cannabis, the CBD market expands. CBD has not been shown in studies to stop, slow, reverse, or prevent the diseases that cause dementia. CBD is being used as medical marijuana to treat a lot of medical conditions like and apart from Alzheimer’s. Getting an Oklahoma medical marijuana card can prove to be a game-changer for those in the state.
There are some studies that suggest that CBD can be more than beneficial while providing relief from symptoms of dementia. Not just that, it can also be categorically important in boosting the immune system and helping with brain-cell communication. There might not yet be a cure for dementia or Alzheimer’s, the medical industry is making major headways towards more treatments to help those suffering from memory loss. CBD is also studied to be neuroprotective, so that makes its case ever so stronger. Learn the causes of Alzheimer’s, how CBD could be a treatment for its symptoms
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurological disorder of unknown origin that causes progressive memory and learned behavior loss. Alzheimer’s patients are also more likely to experience depression, agitation, and appetite loss, among other symptoms. It is estimated that up to 5.8 million Americans are infected with the disease. There are no approved treatments or medications to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, and only a few pharmaceuticals effectively treat the disease’s symptoms.
The brain cells of Alzheimer’s patients frequently show a rapid decline and destruction. CBD has recently been discovered to have the potential benefit of stimulating brain tissue. CBD has been shown in clinical trials to be capable of reversing and even preventing the negative effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
Australian researcher Tim Karl along with Carl Group came to the conclusion that CBD undoubtedly promotes the development and growth of brain cells. The 2011 study concluded that this would mean a massive reduction in many brain functions and the decline of memory as well.
CBD as a Helping Hand for Alzheimer’s Disease
With new CBD and Alzheimer’s research, the topic of CBD health benefits continues to grow. CBD has been shown in recent studies to reduce or eliminate the effects of inflammation, oxygen buildup, and brain cell decline. CBD also raises the levels of proteins that eliminate dead cells and plaques in Alzheimer’s patients’ brains, improving both memory and motor function.
An inflammatory response occurs when the brain’s immune cells fail to clear blockages associated with Alzheimer’s disease. When there is inflammation in the brain, oxygen is released as a result. The more severe the inflammation, the worse the outcome. As more oxygen is released in the brain’s cells, important brain functions such as memory suffer.
Memory loss and other forms of brain deterioration cause an increase in oxygen in the brain. CBD is an antioxidant that aids in the reduction of the problems associated with oxygen stress. CBD can help to improve brain functions that have been harmed by oxygen stress. Researchers were recently able to increase levels of proteins in the brain that maintain cognitive functions by eliminating dead cells and assisting in the clearing of beta-amyloid plaque tangles associated with the disease in a study. Scientists observed significant improvements in the cognitive abilities of mice with Alzheimer’s disease after administering CBD on a regular basis. The mice, in particular, were better able to distinguish between old and new objects. The mice’s movement also improved. CBD
What Other Ways Can Medical Marijuana Help Against Alzheimer’s?
Cannabinoids have the ability to reduce neuroinflammation as well as oxidative stress, both of which are associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Targeting the endocannabinoid system could be a promising strategy for developing an effective Alzheimer’s disease therapy.
Furthermore, cannabinoids may be a low-cost, safe therapy with few side effects. More research is needed in the future to see the use of cannabinoids for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in a clinical trial setting.
Another study from the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California discovered that tetrahydrocannabinol and other marijuana compounds may reduce the amount of beta-amyloid in the brain. The neurodegenerative disease Alzheimer’s is thought to be caused by beta-amyloid, a defining feature of the disease.
Other Medical Conditions that Medical Marijuana can Help With
Apart from Alzheimer’s, there are many other medical conditions that medical marijuana can be used as at least an alternative option. In the 2018 US Farm Bill, all derivatives of marijuana with no more than 0.3% THC were legalized federally. That made room for CBD and other minor cannabinoids with less than 0.3% THC to start their journey to the US market. This also included the medical industry, which made a breakthrough with Epidiolex becoming the first drug with CBD as its active ingredient approved by the FDA. This medication is used for the treatment of patients with Dravet syndrome.
Other medical conditions include –
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- HIV/AIDS
- Crohn’s disease
- Epilepsy and seizures
- Glaucoma
- Multiple sclerosis and muscle spasms
- Severe and chronic pain
To take medical marijuana, you can:
- It should be smoked.
- Inhale it through a vaporizer, which turns it into a mist.
- Consume it, for example, in a brownie or a lollipop.
- Use it as a lotion, spray, oil, or cream on your skin.
- Several drops of liquid should be placed under your tongue.
It is entirely up to you how you interpret it. Each method has a unique effect on your body. When you smoke or vaporize cannabis, you feel the effects almost immediately. It takes significantly longer if you eat it. It may take up to two hours to feel the effects of edible products.