Worldwide, records show that about 10 million new cases of dementia are seen every year with around 50 million persons having the disorder. This disorder is progressive in nature and cannot be cured, it is majorly seen in older persons being one of the main causes of dependency and disability in older people.
Dementia is a syndrome involving a group of diseases characterized by symptoms such as deterioration in memory, language, problem-solving ability, behavior and the ability to perform daily activities. Dementia covers a wide range of disease conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular dementia, Frontotemporal dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is considered the most common form of dementia and it accounts for about 60 to 80 percent of known cases. However, there are other conditions that can cause dementia symptoms, were in some conditions such as thyroid problem and vitamin deficiency the disorder can be reversed, others like Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease the symptoms cannot be reversed but can be reduced.
Cannabidiol has shown from research made on animals, to have the ability to decrease inflammation and cell death in the brain, but with this effect can cannabidiol be used to treat dementia? Here we will look at how cannabidiol can be beneficial to those with dementia and its effect on the disorder base on research.
EFFECT OF CANNABIDIOL IN DEMENTIA
Cannabidiol is an example of cannabinoid gotten from a type of cannabis plants, it does not cause a person to be high when taken, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol which is another type of cannabinoid. From studies, when taken it has been shown that it can be rapidly distributed in the body showing low toxicity and easily passing through the blood-brain barrier carrying out various health beneficial effect in the nervous system
A number of animal studies, however, have shown evidence of cannabidiol neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties which are important to delay neurodegeneration that occurs in dementia.
Also, from more studies with animals and cell culture it was proven that cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol combination, can decrease the production and accumulation of harmful proteins that cause neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease.
In a study, were cannabidiol was used as treatment in mice, it was found to decrease the death of neurons in the area of the brain that carries out memory formation and helps to promote new cell formation. From this research, it was concluded that cannabidiol may provide some relief in individuals with dementia.
BENEFITS OF CANNABIDIOL IN INDIVIDUALS WITH DEMENTIA.
Base on research, there is no clear evidence on how cannabidiol works in humans with dementia. This is because majority of the successful studies were carried out on animals.
However, several people who used cannabidiol for this purpose have testified that although cannabidiol does not bring back what was lost or restore memories, it produces relief in the symptoms caused by dementia. Making the affected individual calmer and happier, reducing anxiety, distress, aggressiveness and lack of sleep.
CONCLUSION
Unfortunately, cannabidiol is not a cure for neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia, but that does not mean that it cannot help with symptoms in dementia. However, modified studies on humans should be carried out to find out the chances of using cannabidiol to help people suffering from dementia.