Alzheimer's is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that usually occurs in adults over 65 years of age. The disease causes symptoms like dementia. As it progresses, it makes the sick person increasingly unable to care for himself. There is no cure for Alzheimer's, but medicines, such as cannabis, can slow its progression.
Preventive
Maintaining healthy brain tissue throughout life can significantly reduce the chances of developing neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, in old age, or at least delay the onset of these diseases by reducing the rate of cognitive decline. Regular physical and mental exercise is vitally important to maintaining neuronal health, and it is undoubtedly the healthiest and most effective method to achieve this. However, the balance of chemicals in the brain can also be improved by using certain exogenous compounds, such as those contained in cannabis.
Cannabis contains several compounds known as cannabinoids, which are structurally similar and have different effects on brain function and metabolism. Of these, arguably the most important are THC and CBD, which have a number of physiological effects relevant to Alzheimer's: they can reduce inflammation, act as antioxidants and neuroprotectors, and even stimulate the growth of new neural tissue
Decreases the production of beta amyloid. The term "beta amyloid" refers to peptides created by enzymatic cleavage of amyloid precursor protein, a substance believed to be primarily involved in the regulation of synapse formation and neuronal plasticity.
In a study published in 2014 by researchers at the University of South Florida, USA, the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and the plaque production process was investigated, and it was shown that APP cells incubated in very low doses of THC they produce beta amyloid at a slower rate than normal. THC also directly interacted with beta amyloid peptide and inhibited its aggregation to form plaques.
Anti-inflammatory
It is becoming increasingly clear that neural tissue inflammation plays a fundamental role in the development of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
Several recent studies have examined the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and the regulation of neuroinflammation. A study published in 2009 concluded that the brains of deceased Alzheimer's patients show appreciable alterations in the components of the endocannabinoid system, including increased expression of cannabinoid receptors.
Antioxidant / neuroprotective cannabis
Oxidative stress and the release of reactive oxygen species is a key component of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, and is intrinsically associated with immune inflammation: when inflammation occurs, it induces oxidative stress, reduces the antioxidant capacity of cells , and causes the production of free radicals, such as reactive oxygen species, which in turn react with fatty acids and proteins in cell membranes.
Neurons in the hippocampus are severely affected by Alzheimer's, and CBD can reverse this effect. Neurons in the hippocampus are severely affected by Alzheimer's, and CBD can reverse this effect.
Stimulates neurogenesis
In addition to reducing inflammation and mediating the effects of oxidative stress, cannabidiol is also believed to promote the growth of new neural tissue (a process known as neurogenesis). In Alzheimer's patients, the rapid destruction of neural tissue causes devastating neurological effects, and the normal processes of neurogenesis are interrupted by the presence of beta-amyloid. Therefore, developing therapies, which can stimulate neurogenesis, can slow the progression of the disease or even reverse the symptoms, to some extent.