World Alzheimer’s Day 2024: Understanding Alzheimer’s and the role of medical cannabis

But first, what actually is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s Disease, also known as AD, affects around one in 14 of those aged over 65 in the UK, and as many as one in six of those over the age of 80. Caused by a build-up of proteins that hinder the brains’ ability to send vital messages, over time this type of dementia can dramatically influence an individual’s quality of life because it causes progressive cognitive decline.

The build-up of these proteins tend to impact the messages typically sent around the brain first, affecting memory and causing people to encounter issues such as remembering where they’d placed something, or struggling to find the right words during a conversation.

Over time, as Alzheimer’s disease progresses into the middle and later stages, people typically start to feel increasingly unsettled, withdrawn or anxious. They may have trouble maintaining a stable mood or sleeping routine, and eventually they may start to experience mobility issues, weight loss and/or incontinence.

This cognitive, emotional, and eventually physical decline can have devastating effects on a person’s ability to remain independent, and because of this it’s imperative that those affected are aware of all the options available to them or their loved one– so well-informed and educated decisions can be made regarding treatment.

How does medical cannabis work?

The human body contains a lot of different networks and systems that send signals and messages to execute specific functions, or regulate certain responses, and this includes the endocannabinoid system – or the ECS.

The ECS’s main purpose is to maintain homeostasis, or balance, in the brain and body – and in order to do this, it impacts the regulation of things like anxiety and stress responses, and the recognition of hunger, pain, or fatigue. But unfortunately, for those with chronic illnesses or certain health conditions, the endocannabinoid system can become dysregulated.

When medical cannabis is administered – the cannabinoids it contains, like CBD and THC, enter the endocannabinoid system, and they can mimic the chemicals our bodies naturally produce to operate within it, gaining access to these functions, and giving them the ability to influence the responses they typically issue.

How is Alzheimer’s disease usually treated in the UK?

In the UK, Alzheimer’s disease care plans usually involve different therapies, as well as pharmaceutical medicines or drugs, that are prescribed to manage specific symptoms. 

This can include therapies like cognitive stimulation or cognitive rehabilitation, or life story and reminiscence work, and prescribed medicines like antidepressants, or drugs like Rivastigmine, Donepezil, Galantamine and Memantine.

While these pharmaceuticals are effective for many, for some they come with a host of unwanted side effects, or problematic complications that hinder quality of life and overall wellbeing, leaving them wondering about the alternative options available.

And, that's where we come in. 

Can you get medical cannabis for Alzheimer’s in the UK?

Yes. In the UK, if conventional or traditional treatments have not been effective at managing a person’s Alzheimer’s disease symptoms, or they have caused unpleasant or unwanted side effects, they may be considered eligible for prescribed medical cannabis treatments at Releaf.

At the moment, these treatments are not available on the NHS, but they can be prescribed by GMC registered doctors at private healthcare clinics like Releaf. Legalised for medicinal purposes back in 2018, the cannabis-based products like cannabis oil and medical cannabis flower that Releaf prescribe are sourced from GMP compliant producers and high-quality, regulated cultivators.

Each patient’s treatment plan is designed to meet their needs as an individual, taking their symptoms, preferences, and budget into account, and these treatment plans are overseen by expert healthcare professionals for safety and efficacy monitoring.

As well as having over 20 doctors on board, including a range of multispecialists and GPs, we also have a team of nurses and patient support staff on hand to guide patients along their new treatment journey with care and compassion.

How does cannabis affect Alzheimer’s symptoms?

For people with Alzheimer’s disease, this interaction with the endocannabinoid system could be particularly beneficial when managing certain symptoms such as feelings of fear or anxiety, reduced appetite or sleep concerns. 

This is because CBD is known to reduce stress-like responses, promoting relaxation and a calm state of mind, and, when applied appropriately, THC can have sedative effects, and, it has also shown promising results inducing appetite. 

However, it is important to note, because medical cannabis and cannabis oil are classed as controlled medicines, their application should always be overseen by qualified healthcare professionals like those at Releaf. 

How can I find out more?

If you’d like to learn more about how medical cannabis interacts with specific symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia like anxiety or sleep concerns, head over to our blog or education section for further information. 

Or, to find out if you or your loved one may be suitable for medical cannabis treatments, head over to our eligibility checker. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to speak to one of the team in person, contact our patient support team on 020 3657 3346.