Cannabidiol (CBD) is available in a range of products, including oils, beverages, supplements, and lotions. If you or a loved one is living with Alzheimer’s disease, you may wonder about the potential benefits of CBD, and whether it’s safe.

If you’ve wondered whether CBD might help with Alzheimer’s disease, you’ll want to learn about its potential benefits and risks. CBD is not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, and it’s not right for everyone. Always talk to your or your loved one’s healthcare provider before trying CBD.

What Is Cannabidiol?

CBD is a natural compound found in the cannabis plant and hemp plants. Unlike THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), another compound found in recreational and medical cannabis, CBD doesn’t make you feel “high.” CBD also doesn’t cause side effects like anxiety or paranoia, which some people feel when using THC.

CBD works by interacting with something called the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a network of chemicals and receptors that work together to keep your body balanced. CBD acts on these receptors to produce its effects.

Scientists have found endocannabinoid system receptors in all tissues and organs throughout the body. This includes the nervous system and immune system cells. The system helps balance several important functions in your body, like pain, memory, and learning.

CBD can be found in many forms, including oils or tinctures, capsules, food additives, or lotions. Not all CBD products are approved by or regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That’s why it’s essential to speak with your neurologist before trying it for Alzheimer’s.

What Does Research Say About CBD and Alzheimer’s Disease?

So far, no clinical trials or large studies have shown that CBD can help slow, stop, prevent, or reverse Alzheimer’s disease. At this time, CBD treatment is not believed to have any effect on disease progression for any type of dementia.

That said, scientists have done some early research to see whether CBD might help improve memory in Alzheimer’s disease. In one study, CBD appeared to improve memory in mice. Another study, performed on rats, suggested that the effects of CBD might help the body use vitamin D more effectively, which could also improve memory.

Keep in mind that these studies were done on animals, not people. More research is needed to find out whether CBD could have the same effects in humans with Alzheimer’s disease.

Which Dementia Symptoms Can CBD Help With?

In-depth research on the health benefits of CBD for Alzheimer’s are limited. But a few small studies have found that CBD may help with some symptoms that often come with dementia.

For instance, using CBD may help ease some of the anxiety symptoms experienced by people with Alzheimer’s. In one small study of 12 people with Alzheimer’s disease, participants took a solution containing CBD under their tongues. After using the CBD therapy, all participants experienced lower anxiety levels.

Another small study looked at 52 people with dementia. The group using CBD oil under the tongue was significantly less agitated than the group that didn’t use it. Agitation is common in Alzheimer’s disease. It can cause people to fidget, repeat behaviors, pace back and forth, lose sleep, and have outbursts. CBD may help calm some of these behaviors for certain people.

Other studies suggest that CBD-based products may help ease chronic pain. More than half of people with moderate to severe dementia have pain every day.

What myALZteam Members Say About CBD

Some myALZteam members have reported encouraging results after trying CBD for themselves or their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease. Below are a few of their positive reviews after using these products.

• “My wife has anxiety every evening. I give her 20 drops of CBD oil (THC-free) at 5:30 p.m. This settles her down, and by 8 p.m., she is ready for bed. She gets a good night’s rest and I do too.”
• “CBD oil has changed our lives and has given my dad a quality of life!”
• “I give my husband CBD and it helps with his moods and anxiety. He doesn’t take any Alzheimer’s medications, just blood pressure medication. I would check to see if there are any drug interactions before trying it.”
• “I have Alzheimer’s, and I take CBD twice a day. Helps a lot with arthritis, anxiety, and nearly everything else! Highly recommend to everyone I meet! It seriously has had an extremely calming effect on me, as I try to adjust to the diagnosis.”
• “I think the CBD oil has helped calm my husband. I’m considering taking it myself, as total caretaking has taken its toll on me as well.”
• “I use CBD for my wife and myself. It provides a relaxed mood for both of us. But remember, the effects (which are minimal for most) can trigger different results for others.”

Not everyone who has tried CBD for Alzheimer’s disease has had improvements. “Absolutely no change after using CBD for six months,” one member said. Another replied, “My CBD sleep gummies stopped working after about a month.”

Keep in mind that CBD may have different effects on different people, including no effects at all. Always talk to your doctor before trying CBD for Alzheimer’s.

Does CBD Have Any Side Effects?

CBD is a plant-derived compound, but that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. Although CBD is generally considered safe and well tolerated, it can lead to several adverse effects, such as:

• Liver problems
• Fatigue
• Sleepiness
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Meet With Your Neurology Team

Some CBD products may not interact well with existing Alzheimer’s treatments. There are also certain medications that people with Alzheimer’s should avoid. That’s why it’s important to speak with a neurologist who specializes in Alzheimer’s disease before trying CBD for dementia.

They can help you decide whether you can include CBD in your existing treatment plan. They can also advise you on how to use it safely as a potential treatment for any medication side effects you or your loved one may be experiencing.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myALZteam, the social network for people with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones, more than 86,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with Alzheimer’s.

Have you tried CBD for Alzheimer’s disease? Did you notice whether it impacted symptoms like cognitive decline, memory loss, anxiety, or other symptoms of Alzheimer’s or dementia? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.