Around 44 million people around the world are expected to have Alzheimer’s or a related dementia problem. Studies also show that the number of people expected to have this grave disease is expected to grow in upcoming years. People suffering Alzheimer’s disease are tired of taking the prescribed medicines for years and not getting much benefit from it. People have now shifted their focus to search for treatment alternatives and are more inclined towards natural ways of reducing their disease symptoms. Medical marijuana is one such alternative that is attracting people’s attention at an astounding rate.How can medical marijuana help people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease? It is important to understand what the disease is all about, then understand the benefits that the natural drug possesses for patients.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

It is a neurological disease of the brain that results in an irreversible loss of neurons. This degenerative brain disease destroys your memory and thinking capabilities slowly and gradually. If not treated at an early age, people may also face a problem with even doing the simplest of tasks. This grave disease actually has the capacity to disrupt your entire life.

How Alzheimer’s patient benefits from medical marijuana?

THC reduces the production of beta-amyloid proteins: According to a published study, it was found that even a small dose of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can reduce the production of beta-amyloid proteins, which is considered to be a key contributor of the progression of Alzheimers disease. THC is a chemical found in marijuana that is known to aid a lot of medical conditions. It is also believed that THC has greater ability to reduce brain-damaging plaque than the usually prescribed medications.

Cannabidiol and cellular health: Cannabidiol is a plant compound found in marijuana and is believed to possess natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is known for the several health benefits that it offers. When combined with THC, it is sure to reduce oxidative injury, inflammatory events, and also other mechanisms that boost the process of brain degeneration. Cannabidiol (CBD) is famous for reducing the process of cell death, which can prevent neurons from being damaged or dead. This compound is known to help Alzheimer’s patients by preventing the brain cells from dying.

Reduced Inflammation: If the area around the plaque buildup in your brain gets inflamed, the patient’s condition can worsen with every passing day. Marijuana possesses compounds that are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. If patients are made to take help of marijuana then their condition can considerably improve. It will lower the inflammation around the plaque area and slow the progression of Alzheimer.

 Increased cellular growth: Cannabinoids are known to boost the tissue growth in that portion of the brain that looks after the memory part. It means that the patients can experience a stable memory rather than forget things frequently and not be able to do the simplest of tasks because of memory loss problem. Cannabinoids help in improving memory function by stimulating higher rates of neuron growth. You can expect a patient to recover if marijuana is included as a part of the treatment.

Reduce the symptoms: There are a number of symptoms that an Alzheimer patient has to deal with. These symptoms not only make the patients uneasy but also degrade the quality of their life. Marijuana is believed to alleviate the symptoms and improve the patient’s overall condition. It stimulates appetite, controls your weight, boosts motor functions, prevents delusions, and much more. Patients can also notice improved sleep patterns and can start having more social engagements.

The use of medical marijuana in the treatment of Alzheimer’s has been a topic of discussion for many medical practitioners. Some are in favor of the use of this drug while others are opposing its use, citing addictive properties whereby extensive use can make a patient dependent on this drug. A lack of research means that the long-term side-effects are also unknown. However, despite the concerns amongst the medical practitioners, people are still using medical marijuana as treatment. The results of this drug are positive and have been contributing towards improving the health condition of every Alzheimer’s patient.

This article is courtesy of our guest writer, Meredith Rogers, from geriatricnursing.org

Alzheimer’s Disease Signs and Symptoms, courtesy of GeriatricNursing.org