The potential of cannabis as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease is becoming increasingly evident. While research is still in its early stages, there are a number of studies that have shown that both THC and CBD can reduce symptoms associated with the disease.
In addition, a new study has shown that THC inhibits the growth of beta-amyloid plaques, which are known to be a key contributor to Alzheimer’s progression.
Phytocannabinoids
Phytocannabinoids are plant-derived chemical compounds that have been shown to play a role in promoting health and wellbeing. Specifically, phytocannabinoids have been shown to support the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system plays an important role in the body’s ability to regulate a wide range of physical and cognitive processes.
The endocannabinoid system is comprised of receptors that are found throughout the body, including the brain. These receptors have a number of important roles, which include controlling mood, pain, cognition, and energy levels.
These receptors are regulated by endocannabinoid neurotransmitters. The endocannabinoid neurotransmitters, such as anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), act with phytocannabinoids to produce a number of positive effects in the human body.
However, endocannabinoid neurotransmitters are broken down very quickly by enzymes within the ECS. Phytocannabinoids, on the other hand, interact with the ECS longer and are less easily broken down by these enzymes.
This leads to a variety of effects that can help keep the body in balance, including reducing anxiety and stress levels. In addition, phytocannabinoids can also help to promote better sleep and relieve pain.
Moreover, phytocannabinoids have been shown as effective in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. This is likely due to the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis and its ability to erode amyloid plaques, which are associated with dementia.
Although there is currently no FDA-approved medicine for Alzheimer’s, research has been ongoing to investigate the potential for marijuana-derived products as a treatment. In fact, MedPharm, a company that specializes in neuropharmacology with a focus on Alzheimer’s and dementia, is about to launch a study investigating the effects of cannabis compounds on Alzheimer’s symptoms.
The goal of the study is to identify whether cannabis compounds can improve memory, mood, and other aspects of the disease in healthy volunteers. Additionally, the study will attempt to find out how cannabis compounds can affect the brain’s natural chemistry. This will give researchers a clearer picture of how the disease progresses and allow them to develop effective treatment methods.
Terpenes
Terpenes are chemical compounds that occur naturally in cannabis plants. They have a wide range of health effects, and studies are underway to determine whether these terpenes can be used as medicines.
In some cases, terpenes act as anti-inflammatory agents and help to reduce the symptoms of autoimmune conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia. They also help to protect the skin from sun damage and can reduce the growth of yeast cells that can cause a fungal infection called candida albicans.
These terpenes have many health benefits and are used to create different products, such as topicals and balms. Some are even used to treat cancer.
Linalool is a popular terpene in cannabis, and it helps relieve anxiety and stress. It can be infused into cannabis-based tinctures and oils for a relaxing effect. It may also help to improve memory, especially for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
A-Pinene is another terpene that is found in marijuana strains. It is a natural sedative that can also help to increase focus and alertness. It is also effective against bacterial infections and inflammation, as well as helping to heal broken bones.
Pinene is also thought to have an antioxidant effect, which can help to fight off cancer and other diseases. It can also reduce the amount of lipid peroxidation in the body, which can help to slow down the aging process.
Researchers have also discovered that some terpenes can help to reduce the buildup of amyloid b peptide, which is believed to be the culprit behind Alzheimer’s disease. These findings could be crucial to the potential of medicinal cannabis for treating this debilitating condition.
The researchers were able to find that a-bisabolol, myrcene and b-caryophyllene provided significant protection against amyloid b (Ab)-mediated neurotoxicity in a cell culture study. These terpenes were able to inhibit Ab fibril formation and aggregation and significantly reduced lipid peroxidation levels in a way that mimicked the neuroprotective properties of CBD.
These terpenes could be used to improve the overall efficacy of cannabis, as they are considered to be “multifunctional cannabimimetic ligands” that could help enhance the therapeutic properties of other cannabinoids, especially THC. This is a concept known as the entourage effect.
THC
The potential of cannabis as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease is not without controversy, but there are several studies that have shown positive results. Some have even found that using medical marijuana could help slow down or prevent Alzheimer’s in its early stages, which would be a huge win for those suffering from the disease.
THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, has been shown to protect the brain against the deterioration of neurons. It can also stimulate the removal of toxic plaque in the brain that is commonly seen in Alzheimer’s patients, a new study shows. In addition, THC has been shown to block inflammation that leads to brain damage and the death of neurons.
Researchers at Stanford University in California found that THC can inhibit a substance called A-beta from interfering with the activity of endocannabinoids, the compounds naturally produced by the body and brain. Those natural compounds help the brain process information and store memories, but A-beta can interfere with their function. By blocking the action of endocannabinoids, A-beta can impair learning and memory, according to a study published in The Journal of Neuroscience by the group.
This research could lead to the development of new drugs that could help stave off or slow down the onset of Alzheimer’s. It is important to note that this study was only in a laboratory setting and more clinical trials are needed.
A recent study conducted by King’s College in London found that cannabis reduced the symptoms of dementia in mice. The researchers said they found that a spray containing cannabis relieved aggression and agitation, which was one of the symptoms of dementia.
However, it is important to note that more studies need to be done on medical marijuana and its effects on the treatment of Alzheimer’s. The drug should be taken carefully and under the guidance of a qualified medical professional, as it can have serious side effects.
Some research suggests that cannabis products containing a higher THC to CBD ratio may be more effective than those with lower THC and CBD concentrations. They also have less side effects like sedation and dizziness, according to a recent review published by the National Institutes of Health.
CBD
The potential of cannabis as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease is being explored by scientists who are finding it has neuroprotective properties, helping to repair damage to the brain cells that die in the disease. In addition, it has been shown to help improve mood and reduce anxiety and agitation.
One of the most troubling aspects of Alzheimer’s disease is behavioural symptoms, which can cause patients to become irritable, angry and even aggressive. In fact, about seven out of 10 people with the disease have behavioural problems. Often these behaviors are triggered by a change in routine, lack of sleep or emotional distress.
A study in mice found that CBD, a non-intoxicating component of the cannabis plant, was able to improve mobility in a mouse model of early onset Alzheimer’s. This was mainly due to its ability to boost levels of a protein called TREM2 and IL-33, which are involved in triggering the brain’s natural immune system response.
Combined with a drug called THC, which can also be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, the two compounds were able to decrease beta amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which are part of the build-up in the brain that leads to dementia. This was achieved by reducing inflammation in the brain, which is a major cause of the disease.
It is important to note that CBD and THC are two separate cannabinoids, but they interact with each other in the brain in a way that is similar to how the body naturally regulates the endocannabinoid system. This is called the “entourage effect.”
In this study, CBD was injected into the brains of rats with a type of Alzheimer’s disease called familial amyloid polyneuropathy. The study showed that after three weeks, CBD had reversed and prevented the development of cognitive deficits.
In another study, CBD was injected into the brains in mice with a model of the more common, nonfamilial type of Alzheimer’s disease. The study found that CBD was able to reduce beta amyloid and tau, the proteins that form plaques and neurofibrillary deposits in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease sufferers. It was also able to increase expression of TREM2, which is a triggering receptor that activates the brain’s microglial cells, which are crucial for removing harmful substances like amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary clusters from the brain.
