Can Marijuana Help Seniors with Dementia?

seniors with marijuana for dementia

The revelation that is cannabis is out there and it is gathering momentum with every passing day. Medical marijuana has shown that it has many applications and benefits to offer the medical world. This has been the reason why there is more push for reform regarding cannabis especially on a federal level in the United States.

A good number of states have jumped on the wagon of medical marijuana and a sizeable number have also legalized its use for recreational purposes. The drive for the acceptance, legalization, and decriminalization of cannabis is not baseless has cannabis has been found to be beneficial in a wide number of health conditions. These health conditions include the management of pain and inflammation, sleep disturbances, seizures, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, anxiety, and a host of other conditions. The range of conditions that medical marijuana has shown promise of effectiveness has necessitated the need to look into how it can help with other delicate medical conditions like dementia.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a name given to a condition that is characterized by a decline in the cognitive ability of a person. The decline affects the memory and language of the person and in turn, leads to a series of unpleasant symptoms. The condition is common with seniors although there are cases of young people having dementia as well. The prominent cause of the condition is attributed to damaged cells that are present in the brain. The chronic form of the condition is known as Alzheimer’s disease and it has been a thorn in the lives of many seniors and their loved ones. The symptoms that characterize dementia in seniors apart from the decline in memory and language include yelling, violent episodes, agitation, uncontrolled behavior, sleeplessness which makes living with dementia to be a very problematic condition to be in.

Cannabis and Dementia

The situation surrounding cannabis and its use for dealing with dementia in seniors has to be viewed with caution due to the fact that there is still a limited amount of studies available to substantiate the stance. Nonetheless, the available studies go along the positives as they show cannabis as a potential medication that is safe and promising enough to help in the management of the symptoms of cannabis. A pilot study from Switzerland involving 10 patients with dementia who were introduced to medication containing CBD and THC is one such study that has brought back positive results. The results of the study showed a reduction in the rigidity and behavioral problems of the patients. This was also complimented in a reduction of the normal conventional medications such as antipsychotics that are used by the patients for the condition. There are also a number of anecdotal studies regarding the effectiveness of medical marijuana in helping seniors to deal with dementia and they all point to a positive outcome.

The conventional types of medications that seniors with dementia are placed on include antipsychotics, antidepressants, antianxiety, and antiepileptics. The effectiveness of these drugs in handling the condition comes with a price of notable side effects which the patients have to deal with. The side effects are also one of the reasons why some patients do not comply with the given drug regimen. Much like with opioids and pain management, cannabis gives the desired effect with no known sided effects on the personality and cognitive function of the patients. The entourage effect produced by THC and CBD in cannabis helps to ensure that a calm and relaxed feeling is offered to the patient while still giving a gentle euphoric feel to dampen depressed moods.

Dr. Hergenrather who is a general practice physician in Sebastopol, California, and has been consulting on medical marijuana since 1997 also has positive testimonies regarding the use of cannabis for dementia. He stated that patients and families who were once having apathy to the use of cannabis to help in dealing with dementia are more open to it when conditions become disturbing. This has also been complemented with a good number of positive results from his end. He sees cannabis as a lifesaver when it comes to dealing with the symptoms of dementia in seniors and a viable way to make the condition better.

There is still a bit of a problem when it comes to medical marijuana and cannabis treatment for dementia. Despite the fact that cannabis is legal in a number of states for a good number of conditions, it is still yet to be accepted as a viable method. The reason for this is largely due to the reduced number of clinical studies that are available on the subject matter. Dr. Rebecca Edelmayer while speaking on behalf of the National Alzheimer’s Association was quick to point out that there is still a need for more clinical data and evidence before cannabis can be accepted. Another way to look at this is also from the standpoint that cannabis is still not classified as legal from the federal government. The natural product is also still classified as a Schedule 1 narcotic drug meaning the government believes it has no medical value, and although studies, research and first hand accounts of users say otherwise, this is still a huge impediment to overcome.

Bottom line

The lack of enough clinical data on medical marijuana and its relationship with Dementia leaves open space for questions about the risks that it has. The risks have to do with the interactions that cannabis may have with other medications such as antipsychotics and antidepressants that the patients might be taking.

These pose the biggest problems that medical marijuana faces when it comes to its use in dealing with dementia in seniors. This, among many other reasons is why there is a need for more concrete studies in order to be able to establish the use of cannabis for dementia.

It should also be noted that when it comes to seniors and children, there is always added care as to the medications that are given to them, so it is understandable that many show a bit of restraint. However, the early signs of medical cannabis for Dementia shows huge positives. You can be sure that in no time cannabis will be widely accepted for managing dementia.