Question: Does cannabis treat Alzheimer’s?
Answer: Yes, agitation of Alzheimer’s is a qualifying medical condition in the state of Arizona. Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of dementia among the elderly and expected to triple with the size of the population over the next 50 years.
A new study suggests that compounds related to marijuana may help limit memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease. The findings of the study were presented at the October 2019 annual Society for Neuroscience meeting in Atlanta.
An active compound in marijuana called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been found to promote the removal of toxic clumps of amyloid beta protein in the brain. These accumulations of proteins are believed to kickstart the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
David Schubert from Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California believes their study was the first to demonstrate that cannabinoids affect both inflammation and amyloid beta accumulations. Other studies have offered evidence that cannabinoids might be neuroprotective against the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
THC is just one cannabinoid of 140 + known, just as CBD is another. Out of the 140 cannabinoids only THC has the ability to make you feel “high” so patients need to be careful to use only small doses of 1-3 mg.
In 2006, researchers at Scripps Research Institute found THC inhibits the formation of amyloid plaques by blocking the enzyme in the brain that produces them. Studies have linked inflammation in the brain tissue to proliferation of plaque. Schubert and his team have demonstrated that THC can also eliminate a dangerous inflammatory response from the nerve cells, protecting the cells from dying.
Several resources suggest using the raw plant to get THCA and THCV, non-psychoactive cannabinoids. Currently products are being made for sale in dispensaries that are tinctures with THCA or THCV cannabinoids.
We suggest eating raw marijuana to obtain the non-psychoactive THCA and THCV. The flowers can be ground into powder and packed into capsules for ease of use. If you have a live plant use it to make cannabis juice, break it up in your salad or just chew on the freshly picked flower. Remember THCA and THCV are non-psychoactive, dosing is more flexible.
Submitted by MJ Consulting LLC as information not medical advice. Ph: 928-772-2011