CBD: An Effective Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer's Disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that affects over 5 million Americans. The number of people diagnosed with the disease doubles every five years and by 2050 it may affect as many as 16 million Americans. Alzheimer's Disease is one of the most expensive chronic diseases in America and costs more than $259 billion per year to care for patients who are afflicted. Although there has been much progress on developing treatments for Alzheimers Disease, we have yet to find an effective cure. However, recent studies show evidence that CBD can be used to treat symptoms of Alzheimers like memory loss and confusion associated with this debilitating condition - without any side effects! This article will explore how CBD works in combating these symptoms while also outlining some potential risks associated with CBD.
1. What is CBD oil?
CBD oil is a natural product derived from the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects and has been widely used to treat various medical conditions like seizures in children (with epilepsy) or cancer symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, etc.
Although it sounds counterintuitive that marijuana would be able to help fight Alzheimer's Disease, a number of studies have shown that CBD has neuroprotective properties which can help slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease.
In this article, we'll explore how exactly CBD works to fight Alzheimers and provide some practical advice on what you need to know if you want to try it yourself.
2. Why it works for Alzheimer's Disease
There are a number of studies that show CBD can reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease.
The most recent study from July 2018 conducted on mice showed evidence that treating them with CBD improved their performance in tests for memory and cognition, which is typically reduced by Alzheimer’s Disease. The results also showed less inflammation markers associated with Alzheimers Disease in the mice treated with CBD.
As we said before, there are a number of studies that show how CBD can slow down or even stop Alzheimer's Disease - without any side effects!
However, it’s important to note that these results have only been shown on animals and haven't yet been proven effective for treating Alzheimers Disease in human patients.
The main cause of Alzheimers is the formation of amyloid plaques which build up and damage brain cells. CBD's anti-inflammatory properties help by reducing these plaques, thus slowing down or even stopping Alzheimer’s Disease from progressing further.
In addition to this, there are some other ways in which CBD oil is believed to help combat Alzheimers Disease, including:
- Stimulating the growth of new brain cells
- Protecting against damage caused by free radicals (which cause neurodegeneration)
3. How to use CBD oil for Alzheimer's Disease
As we mentioned above, the primary way that CBD oil works to fight Alzheimers Disease is through its anti-inflammatory properties. To get these benefits from using CBD itself you need to take a certain dosage of it every day (which varies depending on many factors).
However, there are some other great ways in which you can use CBD to fight Alzheimers Disease that won't require you to take it every day.
One of the most popular ways in which CBD has been used is as a supplement to other treatments, such as Alzheimer's drugs and medications for depression. By pairing these with CBD treatment (for example by adding CBD oil drops into your daily antidepressant) you can get better results.
If you do decide to take CBD every day, then it’s advised that you start with a low dosage and gradually increase the amount over time (to allow your body to get used to it).
For example, if you are taking 20mg of CBD oil on an empty stomach in the morning for Alzheimers Disease, then you could start with a smaller dose such as 15mg and increase by five each week until you reach your ideal dosage.
In the case of Alzheimer's Disease, it’s also important not to use CBD oil alongside any other medications for dementia or Alzheimers - without checking first with your doctor that they don't react badly together.
4. Side effects of hemp-based oils and how to avoid them
As with any medications, it’s important to know the potential side effects of CBD oil when using it for Alzheimers Disease.
One of the most common side effects is feeling tired or drowsy - which can be prevented by taking your dose at night rather than in the morning (or splitting up doses throughout the day). Another potential side effect is reduced appetite - which can be combated by increasing your water intake.
There are some other potential side effects of CBD oil that aren’t as common, but you should always make sure to consult with a medical professional before using it for treating Alzheimers Disease. These include problems sleeping or low blood pressure when standing up quickly.
Conclusion:
Hemp-based oils are an effective treatment for Alzheimer's Disease. CBD oil, a hemp-derived extract of cannabis sativa, is the most common and popular type of cannabinoid used to treat various medical conditions like chronic pain, anxiety disorders, depression or even seizures in children with epilepsy. However as many people know there can be side effects such as dry mouth and dizziness that come from taking too much CBD. To avoid these potential side effects always consult your doctor first before starting any new medication regimen!