A look into the benefits of cannabis for Alzheimer’s disease

By Josh Kaplan

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and accounts for approximately 30 million cases worldwide. Because of the increasing global life expectancy, this prevalence is expected to nearly quadruple by 2050. With these numbers on the rise, researchers are looking for novel approaches to prevent and treat the disease—and cannabis is among those being considered. But how far has research come in proving its utility?

What Characterizes Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s usually begins by attacking the brain’s hippocampus, a critical brain region in memory processing. This causes memory and cognitive impairments that define the initial stages of the disease. It also contributes to the anxiety, depression, and agitation from which AD patients also suffer. As the disease progresses through the rest of the brain, additional symptoms develop that impair normal functioning.