A study released by the Salk Institute this summer is confirming what more and more patients and caregivers have learned on their own — that marijuana and cannabis oil can be an effective medicine for battling the terrible effects of Alzheimer’s Disease.
In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers took human neurons that were grown in a lab and altered them in a way that caused them to create a plaque buildup. The neurons were then subjected to THC and other compounds from the marijuana plant.
“Although other studies have offered evidence that cannabinoids might be neuroprotective against the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, we believe our study is the first to demonstrate that cannabinoids affect both inflammation and amyloid beta accumulation in nerve cells,” says Salk Professor David Schubert, the senior author of the paper said in a statement.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that leads to memory loss and can seriously impair a person’s ability to carry out daily tasks. More than five million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease according to the National Institutes of Health. Alzheimer’s is also the most common cause of dementia.
According to researchers, THC is able to reduce protein buildup and inflammation by attaching to the brain’s endocannabinoid receptors, which are part of the body’s overall endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The ECS is made up of receptors throughout the body which are specifically designed to accept the attachment of cannabinoids, whether those cannabinoids are made by our own body (endogenous cannabinoids) or plants (phytocannabinoids).
There was no hope
No one understands the harsh reality of Alzheimer’s better than Robert Malone, an Alabama husband who figured he was just days or months away from losing the love of his life. Robert’s wife Kathy, who is only 61 years old, was in the final stages of Alzheimer’s and had been put on hospice in an attempt to ease her pain and help her transition from this life peacefully. But Robert refused to give up on Kathy despite her advanced stage. “She had gotten to the point where she couldn’t swallow, which is pretty much the end of the road with Alzheimer’s patients. That’s why they sent hospice in.”
Robert began to read everything he could get his hands on about Alzheimer’s and what he discovered was a growing number of patients that were seeing success with cannabis oil, a product that is made by combining the extract of the cannabis flower with a carrier oil, like coconut, olive or safflower oil. Robert was able to obtain a few bottles of cannabis oil and the results were astounding.
[su_quote]I am an optimistic person by nature, but i have to admit that, I wasn’t sure how 20 drops of stuff out of a little bottle was going to replace a whole basket of drugs, that did not accomplish a thing without triggering other problems, which they have a pill for also!
Four hours after giving her the cannabis oil there were no more jerks. She also has not needed any kind of pain medication! Things started happening that the doctors said was not possible. Her mental clarity has become amazing. She started talking again and has not shut up since. Music to my ears ! She has not been able to talk very much at all. It is like she has all things she has wanted to say stored up in her head and is finally able to get it out. I can understand about 70 % of it right now and it improves every day. I am excited beyond myself ..THERE IS HOPE![/su_quote]
Robert and Kathy’s story is not unique, either. Patients across the country are starting to realize the efficacy of marijuana and cannabis oil when dealing with the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s. And even better, many are using it as a replacement for many of the dangerous pharmaceuticals they are prescribed to deal with this horrible disease.
As restrictions on cannabis research continue to loosen we are sure to see larger and more numerous studies to confirm what many already know, which is that the cannabis plant, one of the oldest and most effective medicines known to mankind, will one day revolutionize healthcare not just in the U.S. but around the world.
To download a copy of the Salk Institute study click here (PDF), or you can read it below.
[su_document url=”https://southerncannabis.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/alzheimers-salk-institute.pdf”]
