In 1999 my 97-year-old mother-in-law was in her 4th year in an assisted living after needing to sell her home due to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Dementia (AD).
In the fall of 1999, she began to experience more anxiety, fear, sleep disturbance and agitation. She was getting upset, worried and angry more easily. She was hiding things and believing other people were hiding things from her. She was imagining things that weren’t there.
Her doctor prescribed an antidepressant and an anti-psychotic to manage these symptoms. She had significant side effects from these medications causing excessive sedation. In consultation with her gerontologist, we agreed to hold off on these potent pharmaceuticals and try a full spectrum CBD tincture starting low and gradually raising the dose over the next 2 1/2 months.
Numerous studies have shown that cannabis can significantly decrease many dementia symptoms, such as; delusions, agitation, aggression, irritability, apathy, sleep disturbances and caregiver distress. While it doesn’t reverse advanced dementia symptoms it can help ameliorate the anxiety, depression, and agitation without the serious side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.
When the CBD tincture was prescribed, I assumed like with other supplements: vitamins, eye drops, creams, and ointments all I had to do was bring in the bottle of tincture along with a copy of the prescription and the medication techs would add it to her daily medication regime. That turned out to not be the case.
I was informed that due to the Federal classification of CBD and THC as a schedule one drug, a substance “with no medical benefits” they could not dispense it. However, they said, since it was legal in WA state, I could come daily and give her the CBD tincture.
I visited her daily for two and a half months giving her the tincture with good results. She had a marked decrease in agitation and paranoia along with improved sleep.
Dementia is the third leading cause of death and impacts 5 million individuals costing $226 Billion (70% Medicare) and untold costs for family caregivers. It is estimated that health care costs for dementia care will top 1 trillion by 2050. Numerous studies have shown that cannabis can significantly decrease many dementia symptoms such as delusions, agitation, aggression, irritability, apathy, sleep disturbances and caregiver distress.
There is growing evidence that cannabinoids facilitate growth of neurons (neurogenesis) and interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system regulating the stress and immune systems.
In a 2019 peer reviewed journal article reviewing the research on combinations of CBD and THC they found that:
“Components of cannabis might be useful to treat and prevent AD because CBD components could suppress the main causal factors of AD. Moreover, it was suggested that using CBD and THC together could be more useful than using CBD or THC alone.”
Additionally, Dr. Gary Wenk, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Ohio State University Medical Center, sites research that a small daily dose of THC (non-intoxicating levels) along with CBD are neuro-protective and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease and protects older adults from “the normal and pathological consequences of aging.”
Per Bonni Goldstein, MD the recommendation for seniors is to start low and go slow with dosing and to consult with your physician. As with any medication or supplement, educate yourself by weighing the risks and benefits. Most of the adverse effects of cannabis are related to high doses of THC.
Videos
Dementia and CBD - Danielle about the effects of CBD on mother’s early phase dementia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD74d-S2dH0
Alzheimer’s on THC helps mother’s anxiety Part one & two (25 min)
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