Aging and the Endocannabinoid System
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Clinical Research on Cannabis and Alzheimer’s Disease
The U.S. government holds a patent #6630507 awarded in 2003 on “Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants.” In the abstract of the patent, it states that “The cannabinoids are found to have particular application as neuroprotectants, for example in limiting neurological damage following ischemic insults, such as stroke and trauma, or in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and HIV dementia.” The fact that cannabis is a Schedule 1 drug listed by the government as having no medical benefits is at complete odds with this patent that clearly shows cannabinoids can reduce neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease.
Several clinical trials are in progress or have completed on the role of cannabinoids in treating behavioral aspects of Alzheimer’s disease. One study that is currently recruiting at John Hopkins University is investigating synthetic THC (Marinol) as a treatment for agitation in Alzheimer’s disease [14]. This follows up on the small pilot study that found Marinol increased appetite and reduced severity of disruptive behavior in Alzheimer’s patients [15]. One case study found Marinol stopped treatment-resistant dementia-associated sexual disinhibition that was disruptive in a nursing home [16]. Another study at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center is recruiting patients for a study on nabillone, a THC analogue, in reducing agitation, sleep issues, and other symptoms of dementia [17].
Application of Cannabinoid Medicine to Alzheimer’s Disease
Vaporizing CBD strains or taking CBD oil or pills can relieve anxiety and agitation associated with Alzheimer’s disease. For patients who do not respond to CBD-only products THC can be added to improve efficacy. THC and CBD combination therapy often works best, due to the fact that CBD reduces psychoactivity of THC and extends the amount of time cannabinoids are in the body [8].
When patients over the age of 65 were treated with anti-inflammatory NSAIDs for 2 years, they were less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease 8 years later [18]. Taking anti-inflammatory cannabinoids CBDA and CBD should also have the same neuroprotective effect, although clinical trials have yet to test this.
Neuro Research