As legalization continues to bring CBD at the forefront, caregivers and loved ones of patients with neurodegenerative diseases are increasingly prescribed medical marijuana. But can CBD help you with your Neurodegenerative Disorder?
While most people associate neurodegenerative disorders with multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer's disease, or Parkinson's disease, there are hundreds of different neurodegenerative disorders worldwide that affect millions of people.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a crucial non-psychotropic component of hemp that has numerous neuroprotective properties and pharmacological benefits.
In this article, we'll discuss how CBD may help with the causes of motion sickness, while referring to scientific articles and studies. If you are curious how to deal with your motion sickness, keep reading...
A team of scientists used animal tests to analyze CBD's effects on animal brain function. This study included looking at iron accumulation and deposits within the brain, a characteristic that is widely associated with the beginnings of common degenerative diseases, such as ALS, Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's disease.
In the results, a single injection of high-concentration CBD could improve recognition memory in mice. Scientists conclude that CBD may be used as a new treatment for cognitive impairment, for all neurodegenerative conditions, and recommend it for human clinical trials.
In another study, results suggest that iron accumulation in the brain plays a role in triggering apoptotic cell death and synaptic loss. Scientists recommend CBD to be considered as a potential treatment option for neurogenesis since the compound appears to have neuroprotective properties and memory recovery characteristics. CBD may be used to control common cognitive deficits in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers sought to determine the effects of CBD as a treatment for alcohol-induced neurodegeneration in another study. Alcohol-related disorders are characterized by excessive alcohol consumption leading to cognitive and behavioral problems. Researchers have found that CBD performed the best for neurodegeneration when it is applied transdermally. It reduced degeneration in the entorhinal cortex by 48.8%. These results show how using CBD to control alcohol-induced degeneration is very achievable.
Finally, a study sought to detect the effects of CBD on emotional and cognitive impairment caused by occlusion of the bilateral carotid artery in mice. The results show how CBD promotes a healthy mind by restructuring dendritic formations in the brains of mice. CBD has real potential as a molecule to prevent various forms of neurodegenerative disorders.
What is Neurodegeneration?
Neurodegeneration refers to a multitude of conditions that affect neurons, or nerve cells, in the brain. Neurons are the building blocks of our nervous system, including our spine and our brain.
The Harvard Neurodiscovery Center presented an observation:
"If nothing is done, more than 12 million Americans will suffer from neurodegenerative diseases in 30 years."
Another surprising statistic: in 2010, the global cost of Alzheimer's was $604 billion, or 1% of global GDP.
These incurable and debilitating diseases can be devastating on families. Given the powerful impact of these diseases, finding cost-effective solutions needs to be a priority.
The most commonly diagnosed neurodegenerative disorders are:
Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), Parkinson's disease, Huntington's, multiple sclerosis (MS), Prion disease, and spinal muscular atrophy, among others.
Surprisingly, Alzheimer's is the leading cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases.
Types of Neurodegenerative Diseases?
There are a few variations of neurodegenerative diseases to consider.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's Disease is a progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder that results in the death of brain cells. It is the most common cause of dementia, or the steady decline in ability to think or interact in social situation. It eventually hinders a person's ability to function on their own.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rapidly developing neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord, and motor cortex, which is responsible for controlling voluntary muscles.
Huntington's Disease
Huntington's Disease is a genetically inherited condition that causes the progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. It has a significant impact on a person's ability to move, and think while also affecting their mental state, as the disease progresses.
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects body movement. Symptoms begin gradually, sometimes with barely noticeable shaking, and eventually causes stiffness and slow movement.
What Causes Neurodegeneration?
Many mutant genes, as well as environmental factors, have been listed as significant causes of neurodegenerative conditions, but the exact mechanism of cause and effect remains mostly unknown.
Neurodegenerative diseases are increasing in most developed countries and are one of the leading causes of death. In the United States alone, 5.4 million people have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in the United States, and half a million others have Parkinson's.
According to the WHO, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease carry a significant disease burden, comparable only to chronic diseases such as cancer. These disorders are severe because they not only significantly affect the health of individuals, but also have emotional, financial, and other effects on the family and caregivers.
Treatment Options for Neurodegenerative Brain Diseases
There are several therapies for these diseases. Scientists are also looking for more powerful and effective drugs. Indeed, they can help people improve their quality of life by alleviating their symptoms.
It is essential to undergo regular checkups to avoid serious health problems. Fortunately, both general physicians and neurology specialists alike can diagnose neurodegenerative issues.
Medical Treatment
If your doctor has any idea that you are suffering from this severe disorder, they will begin to review your vision, hearing, and balance.
Your doctor may have your brain photographed to diagnose the problem. Some of the most common diagnostic tools are magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and PET scans.
Your doctor will study the flow of fluid through your brain and spinal cord, which will help to identify possible infection and other irregularities.
Alternative Treatment
A healthy diet can help prevent certain brain disorders. Your brain and healthy habits are related to the functioning of your entire body.
A special diet, namely the MIND diet, is a combination of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet which aims to assist in regulating brain function.
The following is a list of foods you should eat, such as:
- Green leafy vegetables: It is essential to eat leafy vegetables every day. Examples include kale, spinach, chard, and mixed greens salads.
- Other vegetables: It is also necessary to eat vegetables because they contain many essential nutrients and are low in calories.
- Berries: Include blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries in your diet at least twice a week because they have antioxidant benefits.
- Nuts: Include nut consumption at least five days a week as it contains a large number of nutrients.
- Olive oil: Use olive oil for regular cooking.
CBD Treatment
Recent research indicates that CBD supplementation can quickly alleviate signs of neurodegenerative disease. In essence, CBD may be useful for all neurodegenerative diseases.
Research has reported that CBD's neuroprotective properties have improved healing outcomes in the past, which is due in part to its beneficial properties:
- It may have anti-inflammatory properties, which may prevent brain swelling.
- CBD may delay brain age.
- There are no unnecessary psychotropic effects.
How CBD Can Treat Symptoms Related to Neurodegenerative Brain Disease?
Neurodegenerative diseases damage the brain and nerves over time.
Common symptoms of these diseases are:
- Mood fluctuation
- Feeling lazy
- Nervousness
- Absentmindedness
- Memory loss
- Agitation
Scientists study CBD in more detail regarding the neurodegenerative disorder and its use. According to studies, many people are moving in that direction because it can eliminate many types of health problems.
And the most important factor behind it is its non-psychoactive properties. CBD can, therefore, have a promising future in helping people who have many health problems.
CBD may play an essential role in the treatment of this disorder because of its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties do not directly activate the endocannabinoid system of the CB1 and CB2 receptor keys.
These receptors are responsible for regulating brain and other bodily functions. It can induce direct or indirect activation of the metabotropic receptor and can target nuclear receptors.
What's the CBD Dosage I Should take for a Neurodegenerative Disorder?
Based on widespread anecdotal evidence only, the standard CBD dosage recommendation may depend on your body weight. Start with 1 to 6 mg for every 10 pounds of body weight.
We've built a calculator for you so that you can find the lowest starting dose for your body weight below:
The above dosage recommendation is general and merely a suggestion. Your case may differ in that you may need a lot more, while others may need a lot less. Please consult with your physician before supplementing your treatment with CBD.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Neurodegenerative disease refers to several conditions that affect neurons in our brains. Treatment for these conditions varies based on severity, and CBD may help, but if you are looking for a cure for neurodegenerative diseases, you will not find one, unfortunately. Remedies and treatment options are merely used to treat symptoms of these conditions.