How CBD Can Help Treat Some Alzheimer's Symptoms

CBD has become mega-popular in the last few years. You may be used to seeing CBD everywhere by now, but it wasn't until recently when the product not only became popular, but legal as well. In 2018, the U.S. Farm Bill legalized hemp products here in the United States and since then, the use of CBD has skyrocketed (via CNet). While once taboo, CBD has now become mainstream and can be found in everything from bath products to ice cream, per The New York Times.

CBD stands for ​​cannabidiol, which is a chemical found in the cannabis plant. Often confused with THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, CBD does not get you high and is not considered a drug. Instead of the head high that many experience when smoking weed, using CBD is more physical and often compared to the feeling you get after a yoga session or a warm bath. And while CBD has been used in just about everything, the most important way CBD has been used is for our health. In fact, per Healthline, CBD has even been used to help patients with Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's is a scary disease. Not only does it get worse with time, but there is also no current cure for it (via Healthline). Someone suffering from Alzheimer's will begin to lose their memory and their ability to do everyday things like walk and talk, but besides the main symptoms, they will also experience some unpleasant things like aggression and insomnia.

The link between CBD and Alzheimer's hasn't been 100% proven, but initial studies have shown some promise for CBD use in Alzheimer's patients. According to Alzheimers.org, there has been good research to show that patients who take CBD are better able to manage anger and anxiety, two very common symptoms associated with Alzheimer's. Healthline reports that the use of CBD can also help patients with their ability to sleep and lower rates of depression.

When it comes to actually curing Alzheimer's, a 2019 study published by the National Library of Medicine did find a correlation between CBD and Alzheimers, saying it could help with memory loss, especially when mixed with THC. Unfortunately, though, more research is still needed on this.

CBD, while often marketed as a fad as of late, is actually an amazing chemical compound. According to Everyday Health, CBD treats a whole host of ailments and issues, including high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, pain, diabetes, and even cancer-related symptoms.

CBD is so beneficial to things like epilepsy that in 2018, the first-ever drug containing CBD was approved by the FDA and released to epilepsy patients as young as two, per WebMD. Initial research has also shown that CBD use can help those suffering from seasonal depression or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), along with generalized anxiety.

If you do have a serious medical condition, speak with your doctor before attempting to treat it with CBD. Although it is an amazing solution for many, it does come with side effects such as gastrointestinal issues, dizziness, and mood changes. It's also important to ensure you are sourcing your CBD from reputable companies, so although it's easy to find, not every CBD item on the market will be right, or safe, for you. Using CBD daily can be beneficial for you and your body, just do your research before jumping on the CBD train.