Neurodegenerative Disorders

  • THE ADVICE

    There’s two important points here:

    • At moderate levels, the cannabinoids can help with the symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders

    • At higher levels, they cause the growth of new brain cells (neurogenesis)


    We start with symptom control because that’s where you find out what works for you. With the range of symptoms can be occurring with these conditions, it’s a good idea to keep a log of what cannabinoids you’re taking & what changes you see in your symptoms each day, most especially pain, sleep & mental balance.

    1. Begin with 5 or 10 milligrams of CBD in the morning for three days. See how well that helps.
    (I recommend using a full-spectrum hemp extract because all of the cannabinoids, terpenes & fatty acids contribute to health. Always use a company with third-party testing. I’ve worked with PlusCBD & I know that they make a quality product)

    2. Then experiment with taking 10 milligrams in the evening and see if that helps with your sleep or if you find it activating and keeps you awake (it’s different for everyone).

    3. After a week of low amounts of CBD, start increasing your doses by 10 or 20 milligrams every few days. What you’re looking for is the sweet spot where you find symptom relief. This might end up being 15 milligrams twice a day - or it could be as much as 100 milligrams in the morning and 100 milligrams in the evening.

    Once you’ve found the sweet spot to help your symptoms, it’s time to increase the levels that you take daily for neurogenesis.

    1. I would recommend starting by adding in 100 mg of isolated CBD each morning. Make sure that this agrees with your body & doesn’t cause any stomach upset or somnolence (the two main side effects of higher levels of CBD)

    2. After that, start slowly adding in THC each day. THC helps to cause new brain cells to grow & for the CBD to work better. However, THC also causes the psychoactive effects and for people not used to cannabis, this can be unpleasant. Luckily, CBD helps to lessen the potential anxiety caused by THC.

    With THC, it’s always good to start low & go slow. I would recommend not more than 5 mg of THC for the first experience. (the Reserve Gummies from PlusCBD are a good way to know what you’re getting).

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    If you’d like to learn more about using CBD & cannabis for your health, book a session with me today…

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The Science

Reviews

2021: A review of how the endocannabinoid system regulates the plasticity of the brain
Endocannabinoids and cortical plasticity: CB1R as a possible regulator of the excitation/inhibition balance in health and disease
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33427341/

2020: A review of how CBD creates new brain cells & how that helps with mental health
The Pro-neurogenic Effects of Cannabidiol and Its Potential Therapeutic Implications in Psychiatric Disorders
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00109/full

2020: This meta-review looks at 47 animal studies to show the efficacy of modulating the endocannabinoid system for the treatment of brain injuries & neurodegeneration
The Treatment of Cognitive, Behavioural and Motor Impairments from Brain Injury and Neurodegenerative Diseases through Cannabinoid System Modulation—Evidence from In Vivo Studies
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7464236/

2020:
The Endocannabinoid System May Modulate Sleep Disorders in Aging
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31368874/

Alzheimer’s Disease

2021: This review look at the many pathways CBD uses to treat & prevent Alzheimer's
Roles of Cannabidiol in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease by multi-target actions
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33797364/

2020: A review of using THC & CBD for Alzheimer's
A Review on Studies of Marijuana for Alzheimer’s Disease – Focusing on CBD, THC
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6970569/

2021: This review looks at the power of PEA to protect the brain's astrocytes & fight Alzheimer's disease
Alternative Targets to Fight Alzheimer's Disease: Focus on Astrocytes
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33921556/

2021: This review suggests the cannabinoids as uniquely suited to treating the dysfunctions of Alzheimer’s disease
The therapeutic benefits of natural cannabinoids in delaying the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease
https://rsdjournal.org/index.php/rsd/article/view/15418

2020: A new meta-review finds cannabis & CBD helpful for the agitations of dementia
Use of Cannabis for Agitation in Patients With Dementia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32600509/

2021: This review takes a deep dive into the data on CBD for Alzheimer’s disease
Understanding the Modulatory Effects of Cannabidiol on Alzheimer’s Disease
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/11/9/1211

2021: A review of 15 studies using cannabinoids for dementia
Medical cannabinoids for treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia: systematic review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34374269/

Multiple Sclerosis

2022: This review of 28 studies lists the benefits of cannabinoids for multiple sclerosis
Neurological Benefits, Clinical Challenges, and Neuropathologic Promise of Medical Marijuana: A Systematic Review of Cannabinoid Effects in Multiple Sclerosis and Experimental Models of Demyelination
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/10/3/539

2021: In humans with multiple sclerosis, this review of Sativex (a 1:1 THC:CBD spray) found it helpful for spasticity
Review of available data for the efficacy and effectiveness of nabiximols oromucosal spray (SativexÒ) in multiple sclerosis patients with moderate to severe spasticity
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34731865/

2021: A review of using the cannabinoids to treat the pain of MS
Efficacy, tolerability and safety of cannabinoids for management of pain in adult patients with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
https://oss.signavitae.com/mre-signavitae/article/20210915-557/pdf/21st%20Panhellenic%20Congress%20on%20Ragement%20and%20Palliative%20Care%2010.pdf

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis


2019: In humans with ALS, a combination of THC & CBD found helpful (32  patients in a retrospective mono-centric cohort study)
Real world experience of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the treatment of spasticity using tetrahydrocannabinol:cannabidiol (THC:CBD)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31493784

2014: in mouse model of ALS, help seen for ALS with Sativex via upregulation of CB2
Changes in endocannabinoid receptors and enzymes in the spinal cord of SOD1(G93A) transgenic mice and evaluation of a Sativex(®) -like combination of phytocannabinoids: interest for future therapies in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24703394


Parkinson’s Disease


2022: In patients with Parkinson’s disease, they reported using more CBD products via oral administration for sleep, pain & mood
Higher Risk, Higher Reward? Self-Reported Effects of Real-World Cannabis Use in Parkinson's Disease
https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/mdc3.13414

2021: A survey from the Michael J Fox Foundation confirms that patients with Parkinson's often turn to cannabis
https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/fox-insight-survey-sheds-light-cannabis-use-and-parkinsons

2021: This review looks at 18 studies showing how cannabinoids & resveratrol help with neuroprotection in Parkinson’s disease
The Neuroprotective Effects of Cannabis-Derived Phytocannabinoids and Resveratrol in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Literature Review of Pre-Clinical Studies
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/11/12/1573

2021: A review of why CBD is helpful for Parkinson's disease
Potential role of cannabidiol in Parkinson's disease by targeting the WNT/β-catenin pathway, oxidative stress and inflammation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33848261/

2022: A survey of Parkinson’s patients finds that they use cannabis to help with improvements to motor function, sleep & pain
Cannabis use in Parkinson's disease-A nationwide online survey study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35178701/


Preclinical Research


2021: In neurons of the hippocampus, CBD provided neuroprotection against oxidative stress
Neuroprotective Effect of Cannabidiol Against Hydrogen Peroxide in Hippocampal Neuron Culture
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33614951/

2020: In neuronal stem cells, both CBD & CBDV promote neural differentiation via TRPV1 (aka, the capsaicin receptor)
Not just nociception: regulation of postnatal neurogenesis by TRPV1
https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.14293/S2199-1006.1.SOR-.PPBBXOH.v1

2021: In the mouse brain, THC promotes remyelination
Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol promotes functional remyelination in the mouse brain
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Javier-Palazuelos/publication/352967337_D_9_-Tetrahydrocannabinol_promotes_functional_remyelination_in_the_mouse_brain/links/6108e552169a1a0103d459ef/D-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-promotes-functional-remyelination-in-the-mouse-brain.pdf