Marijuana Reduces Alzheimers Symptoms, Scientists Say

AlterNet – by Paul Armentano

The administration of liquid cannabis extracts containing THC is associated with the mitigation of various symptoms of Alzheimer’s-related agitation and dementia, according to observational trial data published online ahead of print in The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.  

Israeli investigators assessed the use of cannabis oil as an adjunct pharmacotherapy treatment in ten Alzheimer’s disease patients over a period of several weeks. Researchers reported that drug administration was associated with a significant reduction in patients’ symptom severity scores. Specifically, cannabis oil ingestion corresponded with decreased levels of aggression, irritability, apathy, and delusions.

Investigators concluded, “Adding medical cannabis oil to Alzheimer’s disease patients pharmacotherapy is safe and a promising treatment option.”

The administration of dronabinol (oral synthetic THC in pill form) has previously been reported to reduce Alzheimer’s-induced agitation and improve weight gain, while preclinical studies have theorized that cannabinoids may be neuroprotective against the onset of the disease.

An abstract of the study, “Safety and efficacy of medical cannabis oil for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: An open label, add-on, pilot study,” appears online here.

This article first appeared on NORML.

Paul Armentano is the deputy director of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) and serves as a senior policy advisor forFreedom Leaf, Inc. He is the co-author of the book, Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink? (Chelsea Green, 2013).

http://www.alternet.org/drugs/marijuana-reduces-alzheimers-symptoms-scientists-say

4 thoughts on “Marijuana Reduces Alzheimers Symptoms, Scientists Say

  1. I know what Alzheimer’s is like.
    Ever get to stoned and go back and check the door on your house to make it was locked a couple of times.
    Then you’re looking for your keys and you cant find them cause they’re in your hand.
    God has a funny way of dealing with death.

    All the straight people get to feel what its like to be fkd up before they die…dementia etc ..
    The rest of us … already got the hang of it..
    It’ll be just another day for us.

  2. I’m not into any drugs other than alcohol and excessive amounts of coffee, but marijuana should absolutely be as legal as alcohol. Actually ALL drugs should be legal for adults, but banning pot is particularly stupid. And anyone who opposes the medical use of weed deserves to be shot! Or, even better, they deserve to suffer horribly from the same debilitating conditions that have been found to be ameliorated by marijuana (certain cancers and side effects from their treatment, certain seizure disorders, chronic pain, etc.).

  3. Damn, I’m gonna have to do a Dr. Diane here with one of digger’s old methods. If I remember lol! The transdermal butter is quite effective.

    All I know is it does seem to quell the desire to kick some sense into some dumbass. However, it only quells it for a little while, so what do you do?

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