Updated on August 24th, 2023
CBD for Alzheimer’s seems to improve the condition unlike any other medication so far. Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, it is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and it kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.
Despite the devastating impact of this disease, there is no ‘big pharma’ medication that decreases the risk of getting Alzheimer’s and up to now, there is no cure. Fortunately, recent scientific research shows very promising effects of CBD on Alzheimer’s.
According the the Alzheimer’s Association, a new individual develops Alzheimer’s almost every 66 seconds in the US.
Cannabis for preventing and reversing Alzheimer’s
First of all, preliminary research indicates that several of the effects cannabidiol (CBD) has on Alzheimer’s could be therapeutically beneficial. Most of all, the neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s and the disease’s progression are linked to the neuroinflammatory response and reactive gliosis. Cannabidiol has proven in studies to be able to reduce these two processes.
Furthermore, other studies have shown that CBD stimulates neurogenesis, which is the development and growth of neurons. This causes the deterioration process of the cognitive functions to slow down. Preclinical animal tests have even demonstrated that cannabidiol can also prevent or reverse cognitive deficit development.
Alzheimer’s causes 60% to 70% of dementia cases and is a devastating disease for the patient and their loved ones and caregivers.
The Alzheimer’s Association states that as many as one in three seniors dies from Alzheimer’s or other dementia.
Studies have shown that using THC oil and CBD oil together creates a synergistic effect. Used together, the health benefits of hemp oil are stronger. But, can cannabis oil cure cancer?
THC is the psychotropic component of hemp and cannabis but can have many health benefits when the correct ratio and dosing are used. We often see that with Alzheimer’s disease, it is necessary to add a little THC to the CBD dosing only in severe cases. It seems that in most cases, CBD alone achieves the desired results.
Short video on how cannabis treats Alzheimer’s
Laboratory studies
The study “Cannabidiol Modulates the Expression of Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Genes in Mesenchymal Stem Cells” was conducted in 2016. It was found that cannabidiol (CBD) led to the downregulation of Alzheimer’s linked genes. Furthermore, the study concluded that CBD neutralized one of the main players in Alzheimer’s disease, pathogenesis.
Gary Wenk, professor of neuroscience, immunology and medical genetics at Ohio State University, spent much of his career looking for a drug that could reduce brain inflammation and restore cognitive functioning. His lab tests concluded that cannabinoids were effective in doing so, due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
“I think that the perception about this drug is changing and in the future people will be less fearful.” -Professor Gary Wenk.
“I’ve been trying to find a drug that will reduce brain inflammation and restore cognitive function in rats for over 25 years; cannabinoids are the first and only class of drugs that have ever been effective.” – Professor Gary Wenk.
Clinical studies
A 2010 study published by PubMed “Cannabinoids and Dementia: A Review of Clinical and Preclinical Data”, reviewed four neurodegenerative diseases, one of which was Alzheimer’s. The study revealed that two clinical trials have been carried out on Alzheimer’s and one case report on it is available.
Especially relevant in each of these studies were the reports of significant behavioral improvement in late-stage Alzheimer’s patients, For the most part, no hemp side effects were reported.
According to Dr. Gary Wenk, baby boomers who smoked rather a lot of marijuana during the flower power period, suffer far less from Alzheimer’s today.
CBD Oil Dosage for Alzheimer’s
As can be seen in the studies cited above, scientists received better results when using both CBD and THC concentrate. However, THC must be used in much lower quantities to avoid getting high. We recommend taking full-spectrum hemp oil. Cannabidiol Life CBD oil, of which cannabidiol is the main component, also contains other cannabinoids like THC in small (under the legal limit) quantities.
Because we are all a little different and will react slightly differently to CBD, the severity of Alzheimer’s disease is the leading indicator of the correct CBD dosage. It is not possible to overdose on cannabidiol, but it is unnecessary to take large amounts if it is not needed.
Starting dosage
We recommend starting with a smaller dose—40 or 50 mg per day and double it after four days if symptoms don’t improve or if the improvements are too small. Alzheimer’s patients have taken as much as 400 mg daily in the beginning to reverse the disease.
No matter how you take the CBD oil, it is necessary to stay at the higher dosage for three or four weeks. Consequently, when the patient has returned to their normal functioning, you can go back to a maintenance dosage of anywhere in the range of 25 to 50 mg per day. Just find out by trial and error what the minimum dosage is for avoiding a return of memory loss, agitation, etc.
Use the iDWeeds CBD calculator to determine how many mg in a drop of CBD oil exists. If you are a sweet lover, CBD gummies dosage is more convenient when you don’t like counting drops and/or the oil taste.
Success Stories of Alzheimer’s Patients
We have carefully collected CBD testimonials for this particular condition to serve as proof and inspiration to others. Do not hesitate to record your own experience and share it with us so we can add it to this list and help thousands of other patients.
Overview of Scientific Studies and Reports
If you are interested in the medical proof and not scared of reading through some professional medical jargon, check out the studies below.
Scientific Research Studies on Alzheimer’s
- 2004/04 – Neuroprotective effect due to CBD…
- 2007/08 – CBD also reduces neuroinflammation
- 2008/01 –The role of the endocannabinoid system in Alzheimer’s disease
- 2008/10 –A molecular link between the active component of marijuana and Alzheimer’s disease
- 2009/04 – Cannabinoids also for the treatment of dementia
- 2009/11 – Is CBD another promising drug for neurodegenerative disorders?
- 2010/08 – Cannabinoids and Dementia: A Review of Clinical and Preclinical Data
- 2011/06 –The role of phytochemicals in the treatment and prevention of dementia
- 2012/04 – The therapeutic potential of the endocannabinoid system for Alzheimer’s disease
- 2012/10 – Time article – How Cannabinoids Maybe Slow Brain Aging
- 2012/10 – Can Marijuana Prevent Alzheimer’s?
- 2013/11 – Cannabinoid receptor 1 deficiency in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
- 2013/12 – Endocannabinoid signaling in Alzheimer’s disease
- 2014/03 – Cannabinoids for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: seems like moving toward the clinic
- 2014/03 –The Potential Therapeutic Effects of THC on Alzheimer’s Disease
- 2014/07 – Cannabidiol effects are probably dependent on the selective activation of PPARγ
- 2015/04 – The Role of Endocannabinoid Signaling in Alzheimer’s Disease
- 2015/08 –Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Agitation and Aggression in Alzheimer’s Disease
- 2016/04 –Natural Phytochemicals in the Treatment and Prevention of Dementia: Another Overview
- 2016/10 – Defining the Efficacy of a Cannabis-Based Medicine at Advanced Stages of Dementia in a Murine Model
- 2016/01 – Safety and Efficacy of Medical Cannabis Oil for Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
- 2016/08 – Neuroscientist studies long-term effects of medical marijuana (CBD)
- 2017/01 –CBD Modulates the Expression of Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Genes
- 2017/02 – In vivo Evidence for Therapeutic Properties of CBD for Alzheimer’s Disease
- 2017/05 – Neurological aspects of medical use of CBD
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I think that somehow over time the brain blood pressure flow of the brain slows. When the blood pressure slows the beta amyloid does not get flushed from the brain. Alzheimer’s as it is described sounds like a sewage problem. It sounds like the sewage is backing up into the brain in stead of being flushed out of the sewage line out of the system. My question is, what is causing the the blood pressure flow to slow and cause the clogs of the brain?
Hi Steven, High blood pressure can damage the arteries by making them less elastic, which decreases the blood flow. However, although there are scientific indications in this direction, more scientific studies are necessary to prove that increased blood flow can slow down Alzheimer’s progression.
Has anyone used any of the “water-soluble” full spectrum Hemp oils / CBD oils? What dosage? How were your results?
Thanks in Advance –
Dan in MN
Is there any information about the interaction of cbd oil with the meds daily taken for the treatment of Alzheimer’s, such as anti-depressants, because the docter at the home will not stop their treatment as it is. Patiënt is mostly happy and sweet but can no longer make sentences or make any sense.
Thank you.
Hi Helen, A doctor cannot make someone take medication they do not need or want. Either the patient or someone close to him/her -if the patient is no longer capable- needs to take responsibility. Even if there aren’t interactions, we couldn’t take this responsibility. This is also perhaps the reason why you can find hardly any information online concerning the interaction of CBD and antidepressants, moreover because it also depends a great deal on what exact meds the patient is taking.
A 2011 research study by the University of Connecticut on drug interaction indicates -in the discussion section- that “There could be several explanations for the lack of reports on interactive adverse effects between psychotropic medications and drugs of abuse in youth in general and in dually diagnosed adolescents in particular: First, They either do not happen or they are relatively rare.” (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3145318/)
We, however, can only relay what other people with Alzheimer’s usually do and we see that usually when an Alzheimer’s patient starts taking CBD they stop taking whatever medication they are taking for their Alzheimer’s. This makes sense of course because according to the Alzheimer’s Association there is no cure for Alzheimer’s or a way to stop or slow its progression. There are drug and non-drug options that may help treat symptoms. (https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/treatments). CBD mitigates and possibly eventually eliminates the symptoms of Alzheimer’s as you can read from our article, which is the same thing the meds are trying to do.
We understand that the patient is in a nursing home where the nursing home medical staff gives him/her medication prescribed by the doctor. This makes it, of course, more difficult, but that is what you need to decide.
We wish you wisdom and strength in this difficult situation and please share with us your decision and possible progress and results. It will help other people deal with similar situations.
Thank you so much for your reply, very much appreciated. We, the family have decided to start using cbd-oil as a treatment and staf in the home will give it. We have asked the caretakers to put down anything specific, any small change negative or positive they notice in their interaction with our mom and one specific family member will monitor changes once a week for the most consistency in registration of changes. If she gets very restless and starts being disorientated staf will give her 1 oxazepam tablet.
When I have more info I will share this here.
Treatment started about 4/5 days ago.
Hi Helen, great to hear that. It sounds like you organized the process really well. Let’s hope it will improve your mom’s condition. It will be much appreciated when you share more info on her status, like what dosage level worked for her. What is the CBD brand she is given?
Hi I am 82 yrs old and i am on CBD oil and two different antidepresents plus heart meds for my a-fib and blood pressure and blood thinner stomach meds i have a pacemaker i been on cbd for third year doing great research it its medicine from god great for anxiety good nites sleep it heals it cures everyone is different but well worth a try its a medicine from god god bless
Hi, I’ve been giving cbd oil to my sister, with severe stage Alzheimer’s, for a few weeks. I don’t know anyone else using this as an alternative treatment. At this point I’m very pleased with the results! Have only one tiny meltdown since starting. She’s happier and calmer. I’m hoping to see continued improvement. I hadn’t even heard of cbd oil till someone mentioned it was beginning to be used for Alzheimer’s. She also has bad arthritis and seems to be doing better with that pain as well.
Thank you for sharing this with us. What dosage (mg) are you giving your sister?
What brand are you using and how many MGs?
My wife at age 66 has been taking Cbd oil for a month now with positive effects. No sundown ing , sleeps very well I started at 9mg for two weeks then I went to gel caps 30mg for a week now for the past week I give her 2 30mg caps. She sleeps 8-9 hours and no more paranoia ( for now at least )
Thanks Mike for sharing this with us.
Unfortunately where I live, 100 mg of CBD oil is $20. You are reccomending 100 a day. We’re talking $600 a month!
Hi, Your oil is extremely expensive. Look at the daily (20mg) dosage price in the comparison table (https://idweeds.net/cbd-oil-for-sale/). Prices range from $1,61 to $2 per 20mg. Yours is $4. Way too expensive. Most of the compared brands ship to multiple countries and some worldwide. Besides that, for Alzheimer’s we recommend to start with 40 mg a day, which translates to $100 – $120 dollars a month. We recommend CBDPure 600 (https://idweeds.net/cbdpure-600mg) which ships to the US, Canada, and the UK. Please let us know how it goes and share your results with us so others can benefit from it too.
What is your source of dosage? How do you decide the early dosage of 40 or 50 mg per day and double it after 4 days?
Hi, All dosage information is based on patient reports and experience. Scientific research has proven that you cannot overdose CBD and that besides a dry mouth it has virtually no side effects. Because everyone and the severity of each condition is different, there is not a single dosage level. People have shared their experience with us that 20-25 mg per day worked for them to maintain their health-balance or helped with very light conditions like mild headaches, back pain, etc. For severe medical conditions, like MS, heavy depression and anxiety, etc. usually, people take from 100 to several hundred milligrams. In order to find your specific dosage level for a medium/severe condition, it is, therefore, best to start with a lower dose (lower than 100 mg but higher than the maintenance dosage) and work your way up while monitoring the effects. Hope to have informed you sufficiently and please let us know what dosage level worked best for you, so we can share it with other people.