Can Cannabis Curb Dementia?

The rate of degenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia, are rapidly increasing. Dementia affects more than 47 million people worldwide, and has surpassed heart disease to become the number one cause of death in England and in Wales, reports the article. Though little is known about these diseases and their root causes, experts have turned to marijuana for understanding, and for its biomedical benefits.

There are hundreds of chemical compounds in the cannabis plant, and some of these have shown particular promise in treating such degenerative disorders. This is because, as the article states, “Cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can aid the removal of dangerous dementia proteins from brain cells”. Scientists believe the collection of ‘plaque’ from the protein Amyloid Beta damages nerve cells, resulting in various forms of Dementia, including Alzheimer’s. THC, in particular, has shown potential to curb the amount of these proteins in nerve cells. For these reasons and more, such organisations as the US Alzheimer’s Association have acknowledged marijuana as a potential treatment.

However, scientists at the Salk Institute in California (which hosts many Nobel award-winners) are restricted from further studying the role of cannabis on disease. Without additional research, little evidence — and therefore understanding — remains a challenge.