A growing number of older adults are turning to cannabis for relief from conditions like sleep issues, anxiety, pain, and even dementia-related symptoms.
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Physicians specializing in cannabis treatments for dementia report it can help reduce agitation, improve mood and appetite, and alleviate anxiety and pain. However, the field lacks extensive research, though smaller studies suggest its effectiveness in managing agitation in dementia patients.
Dr. Jeffrey Hergenrather, a long-time cannabis-focused practitioner in California, noted that 20% of his current consultations are for dementia patients, often seeking alternatives after standard medications led to negative side effects. Brenda Roberts, executive director of the National Council of Dementia Minds, said marijuana frequently comes up in patient advocacy discussions. She shared her experience with her husband, Mark Roberts, who uses cannabis to manage dementia-related anxiety and agitation, describing how it helps him feel calmer and more at ease.
However, using cannabis in older dementia patients also poses risks. Dr. Jacobo Mintzer, a psychiatrist and dementia researcher, warns that cannabis-induced drowsiness can heighten fall risk and may exacerbate cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients. Mintzer and others typically recommend cannabis for those in later stages of dementia and often combine THC with CBD, which can mitigate THC’s psychoactive effects. A National Institute on Aging study is currently investigating a THC-CBD combination in hospice-stage dementia patients to alleviate agitation more gently than antipsychotic medications, which carry significant side effects.
Family members of dementia patients like Anica Leon-Weil have also reported positive experiences. Her mother, Barbara Leon, began using THC edibles to address anxiety and sleep disturbances associated with Alzheimer’s. Since switching to nighttime use, Leon has seen notable improvements in her mother’s sleep quality and reduced anxiety.
While scientific evidence on cannabis use for dementia remains sparse, preliminary research shows promise. A Johns Hopkins and Tufts University study recently found that low doses of synthetic THC reduced agitation in Alzheimer’s patients. Interestingly, THC appeared to enhance cognitive function in older animals in some studies, leading Dr. Ziva Cooper of UCLA to pursue research on age-related effects of cannabis, an underexplored area despite rising interest among older adults.
With limited definitive findings, doctors generally exercise caution but recognize cannabis as a potentially beneficial alternative, particularly for symptom management in advanced dementia cases.
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