Can Medical Marijuana help with Dementia?

• Medical cannabis may help manage behavioral symptoms of dementia, such as agitation and aggression.
• THC interacts with brain receptors linked to memory and may support cognitive function in low doses.
• Some studies suggest cannabis may help improve blood flow in the brain, especially in vascular dementia.
• Research on cannabis for dementia is still limited and ongoing, with no definitive cure established.
• Consulting a licensed healthcare provider is essential before using medical marijuana for dementia.

Research has found improvements in memory, especially with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Low doses of the cannabis component THC can restore memory and learning levels.

“It is reasonable to conclude that there is a therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease,” David Schubert, senior researcher and a professor at Salk Institute for Biological.

A recent study also shows that marijuana may help treat vascular dementia, a neurodegenerative disorder that often occurs along with Alzheimer’s. Vascular dementia is characterized by inadequate blood flow to the brain, leading to cell death. By activating the brain’s CB2 cannabinoid receptors through marijuana, it may be possible to recover blood flow to the brain.

Limited data show that patients may use cannabinoids like THC to help control aggressive or agitated symptoms of dementia.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects. THC is one of many compounds in the resin secreted by the glands of the marijuana plant. Other compounds, called cannabinoids, are present in this resin. Cannabinoid is nonpsychoactive and blocks the high associated with THC.

Cannabinoids are concentrated in some regions of the brain associated with thinking, memory, pleasure, coordination, and time perception. According to NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse), THC attaches to these receptors, activates them, and affects a person’s memory, pleasure, movements, thinking, concentration, and coordination perception.

Dementia takes an emotional toll. Caring for a person with dementia is more expensive and time-consuming for families than other medical conditions common at older ages.

A report by Population Reference Bureau, average out-of-pocket costs for an older patient with dementia are more than 80% higher than for older people without dementia. Medicare covers the surgeries used to treat common conditions but does not cover the cost of supervision and help with living a better life, which is primarily what people with dementia need.

Families spent a larger share of their assets on dementia care than care for other conditions. On average, the economic costs of dementia in the United States totaled an estimated $305 billion in 2020 and are projected to increase to $1.5 trillion by 2050.

Marijuana is a scientifically proven treatment for many medical conditions, including depression, anxiety, and stress. Scientists hope that the neuroprotective properties of marijuana will help people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. It can repair the damage, in addition to treating symptoms.

Marijuana treatment for dementia will make a difference for families with dementia patients.

A few clinical trials have identified that cannabis can help manage behavioral symptoms in people with dementia, including aggression and agitation, but only in some cases. More research is needed. If you want to try marijuana for your dementia, you can contact My MMJ Doctor. We would love to help you.