CBD is getting popular all around the world these days. Even though it has a similar chemical structure as that of THC, CBD does not provide any psychoactive effects. Instead, it will provide a lot of medicinal effects without the feeling of high. That is why CBD is legal in the United States since 2018.
Many studies are going around CBD on its effects on various health problems. Its anti-inflammatory properties are probably one of the main reasons why CBD is currently researched as a potential treatment option for Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia disorders.
In this article, we will take a look at the benefits of CBD in treating different forms of dementia.
CBD For Dementia
Studies conducted all around the world have found evidence for the ability of CBD in improving brain health and memory. According to a recent study conducted by the Salk Institute, California, CBD can help in alleviating dementia and also helps to increase the connection between the brain cells.
CBD helps in alleviating dementia in a person and improve their health conditions in three ways; by reducing the oxygen buildup, by reducing inflammation, and by acting as a neuroprotectant and brain stimulant. It is also proved that CBD effectively reduces stress and anxiety in the user. People with dementia often have high anxiety levels and the use of CBD helps in reducing it.
Recent clinical studies are showing that CBD helps in preventing the decline of memory and improves brain functions. It is important to note that many studies have looked into the effects of different forms of dementia and most of these studies are showing positive results.
Let’s take a look at how CBD helps in treating each form of dementia.
Alzheimer’s Disease
This is probably the most common dementia that affects people. Recent studies have shown that the use of CBD can help in reducing inflammation, brain cell decline, and oxygen buildup. These are the main risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that high inflammation levels will increase the negative impact of this form of dementia. Fortunately, CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing inflammation and thereby reduce the impact of Alzheimer’s disease.
High levels of inflammation in your brain can increase the release of oxygen. This will have a negative impact on your brain and it will cause a decline in many of the brain functions, including memory. One of the main benefits of using CBD is that it is a powerful antioxidant and is capable of reducing oxidative stress and the problems that are associated with it. CBD also helps in reducing the decline of brain cells, which is very common in people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Dementia With Lewy Bodies
Lewy body dementia is a form of dementia that occurs due to the abnormal deposits of alpha-synuclein in your brain. These deposits are called Lewy bodies and it will cause some of the chemicals in your brain to change. These chemical changes will negatively affect your thinking, sleeping, behavior, mood, and movement. Studies have shown that CBD is very effective in alleviating these problems. CBD also helps in maintaining your sleep rhythms and reduce motor symptoms thereby effectively helping to control the symptoms of dementia disorders.
Vascular Dementia
People suffering from vascular dementia often have problems with planning, reasoning, judgment, memory, and other thought processes. This form of dementia is caused by brain damage from impaired blood flow to the brain. Studies have shown that the best way to treat vascular dementia is by activating the CB2 receptors in the brain. Activating the CB2 receptors will help in improving the blood flow to the brain. It is proven that CBD can interact with the CB2 receptors. That means CBD will help in activating the CB2 receptors and reduce brain damage in people suffering from vascular dementia.
Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia or Pick’s disease refers to a group of disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the frontal lobes or the temporal lobes of the brain. This progressive nerve cell loss can lead to mental problems like depression and psychosis. Studies have shown that CBD is an effective remedy for the symptoms of psychosis and depression. Scientists claim that CBD can help in reducing the motor symptoms of frontotemporal dementia, such as rigidity, tremor, and bradykinesia.
Parkinson’s Disease
This chronic progressive disease mainly affects older and middle-aged adults. The dopamine production in people suffering from Parkinson’s disease is very low and it will cause muscular rigidity, tremor, and slow, imprecise movement. It is also observed that people with Parkinson’s disease suffer from digestive imbalance. Studies are showing that the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties of CBD will be very effective in managing Parkinson’s disease and various symptoms of the same.