Investigating CBD
CBD, or cannabidiol, has been studied for years and research is proving it has a positive impact on many dementia-related health conditions. According to researchers at California’s Salk Institute, their 2016 study has found evidence that cannabinoids such as CBD could help remove dementia from brain cells.
CBD works by reducing inflammation in the brain by reducing oxygen buildup, and by working as a brain stimulant and neuroprotectant. CBD may reduce stress and anxiety in patients as well as reduce the decline of memory and other brain processes.
Alzheimer’s Disease
New CBD and Alzheimer’s research continues to advance the healing potential found in CBD. In recent studies, CBD has been shown to reduce or remove the impact of inflammation, oxygen buildup and brain cell decline.
The inflammation that is a cause of Alzheimer’s symptoms can often be reduced by using CBD oil. When inflammation happens in the brain, oxygen is released. The greater the inflammation, the greater the negative impact on brain functions such as memory are. Brain functions negatively impacted by oxygen stress can be improved by using CBD.
Stimulating brain tissue was recently discovered as a potential benefit of CBD. In clinical trials, CBD has shown the ability to reverse and even prevent the development of Alzheimer’s negative impact. A 2011 study by Australian researchers Tim Karl and Carl Group found that CBD promotes the growth and development of brain cells, which reduces the decline of memory and other brain functionality.
Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia is caused by brain damage from impaired blood flow to the brain. Symptoms include problems with reasoning, planning, judgment, memory and other thought processes. A 2016 study by the US National Institute of Health found that activating CB2 (cannabinoid) receptors in the brain recovered better blood flow to the brain and increased brain cell activity. This helped reduce brain cell damage commonly associated with vascular dementia.
Lewy Body Dementia
This is a disease where abnormal deposits of the alpha-synuclein protein are found in the brain. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, affect chemicals in the brain that can lead to problems with thinking, sleeping, movement, behavior, and mood. Research has shown that CBD can reduce negative motor symptoms (tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia) and maintain circadian (sleep) rhythms.
Parkinson’s Disease
A progressive disease of the nervous system, Parkinson’s is linked to decreased dopamine production and marked by tremor, muscular rigidity, and slow, imprecise movement. Cannabinoids are shown to contain effective brain protectors, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties which can be beneficial for managing the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Frontotemporal Dementia / Pick’s Disease
Frontotemporal dementia refers to disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the brain’s frontal lobes or its temporal lobes that leads to symptoms of depression and psychosis. Research has shown that CBD can be an effective anti-inflammatory agent, reduce anxiety, reduce the motor symptoms like tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia, and maintain circadian (sleep) rhythms.
Huntington’s Disease
Huntington’s disease is an inherited disorder that results in the death of brain cells. Early symptoms include subtle issues with moods or mental abilities, followed with a general lack of coordination and an unsteady gait. According to 2016 research from the University of Madrid, due to CBD’s effectiveness as antioxidants and its anti-inflammatory properties being safe and tolerable at high doses, CBD can be beneficial for managing Huntington’s disease.
Headaches and Migraines
The most common headaches are often stress related, accompanied by muscle tension activated by the central nervous system. Tension headaches generally span both sides of the head with pain and pressure. Cluster headaches manifest pain on one side of the head in the eye area.
Migraines typically occur on one side of the head with throbbing severe pain that can last up to three days. The pain often creates a strong sensitivity to light, sounds, and smells, with possible nausea and vomiting. Approximately 12% of people experience them and they are more common in women than men.
Preliminary CBD study results indicate it helps in the treatment of headaches and migraines, reducing both frequency and intensity. The nausea and anxiety that sometimes accompanies headaches were also reduced. In some cases, patient’s headaches stopped for good, even after they stopped using CBD. An added benefit may also be the seeming safety of long-term use of CBD, with occasional drowsiness as the only apparent side effect.