Kensington Senior Living was proud to announce a complimentary educational webinar series for our residents and their caregivers titled “The Benefits of Low-Dose CBD for Our Aging Population: A Case Series.”
Our interactive Zoom event featured an expert panel comprised of Dr. Steven Schmitz of CV Sciences, Sue Feldmeth, RN, founder of MC Wellness Consulting LLC, Jesse Karagianes, CV Sciences, and Leandra Sims, Connections Memory Care Manager at The Kensington Sierra Madre.
Learn from our panel of experts the promising new results from CBD oil scientific case studies conducted at our own Kensington community!
Learn how CBD oil has the potential to improve the well-being of seniors with memory loss, dementia, and how it can improve insomnia, anxiety, chronic pain, and more!
What is cannabidiol (CBD) oil?
Cannabidiol, known as CBD, is a compound extracted from cannabis and hemp plants that’s concentrated into an oil, which can be consumed in a variety of ways to treat chronic pain and ailments caused by memory loss and aging.
CBD oil is a natural drug known for its calming, pain-relieving, and anti-inflammatory properties. It does not contain any tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the main chemical compound in marijuana that creates a “high” intoxicating feeling. Therefore, CBD does not create any psychoactive or habit-forming effects that marijuana can cause.
People who use CBD oil experience a wide range of positive effects including pain relief, anxiety relief, improved sleep, a greater sense of well-being, and improved brain function.
In 2018, CBD oil became federally legal, and geriatricians and doctors have been researching its positive effects as a way to replace harsher medications such as NSAIDs and opiate pain blockers, especially in older populations.
How is CBD oil consumed?
Like all forms of medications, CBD oil’s effects aren’t activated until it reaches the bloodstream.
CBD oil is typically consumed through applying topical lotions, such as CBD creams, balms, and salves, or can be consumed orally by ingesting CBD oil in food and drink or swallowing CBD capsules.
Another popular form of CBD oil is administrating CBD oil drops under the tongue, known as a sublingual application.
What is the best kind of CBD oil for memory loss?
CBD oil comes in three main varieties, as well as varying levels of potencies to help soothe dementia symptoms. They include:
Full-spectrum CBD oil
This type of CBD is considered the best, and includes all of the compounds of the cannabis plant, including a trace amount of THC, around less than 0.3 percent, so it doesn’t create psychoactive effects.
Broad-spectrum CBD oil
Broad-spectrum oil contains most of the compounds found in full-spectrum, but is completely clear of any traces of THC.
CBD isolate
This is the purest form of CBD oil and contains no other cannabis plant compounds.
How can CBD oil benefit seniors with memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s and dementia
Because CBD oil has only recently become federally legal, there are ongoing clinical trials underway proving its effects on seniors dealing with memory loss.
However, the research that has come out has shown promise in helping ease behavioral symptoms caused by dementia, including memory loss, anxiety, agitation, and aggression, and possibly reversing or slowing down the progression of dementia.
Let’s look through some of CBD oil’s purported benefits shown by recent studies on CBD oil and seniors with memory loss such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease:
Purportedly shown to improve brain function and boost memory
A study published in 2016 has shown that cannabinoids, such as CBD, can stimulate the removal of beta amyloids, block the brain and body’s inflammatory response, and protect brain cells (neuroprotective) in the body.
Beta amyloids are proteins such as tau, Lew bodies, and plaques and tangles that cause dementia and Alzheimer’s.
According to this study, CBD oil may have the power to remove these clumped-up proteins to improve brain function, and possibly reverse memory loss issues.
In another study, mice with Alzheimer’s disease were given CBD oil and showed signs of improved learning and decreased evidence of beta-amyloid protein clumps in their brain, showing that CBD oil may be beneficial in reversing or improving memory loss in humans.
Used to treat similar diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), and more
CBD oil has also been used successfully as an adjunctive treatment for malignant brain tumors, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, and seizure disorders.
Reduce anxiety
Because CBD oil is non-habit forming and impossible to create a lethal overdose, it’s a great alternative to anxiolytics, which can include anti-anxiety drugs such as Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, and Ativan.
Unlike anxiolytics, there are no negative withdrawal effects from using CBD oil, making it a safer alternative to these commonly used anti-anxiety drugs to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms.
Reduces psychosis
CBD oil has shown promise in reducing brain activity that’s linked to hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis that can be caused by dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Other CBD oil benefits for seniors dealing with memory loss
Many older adults take prescription drugs daily to help ease ailments caused by old age, arthritis, and other health issues.
At least 36% percent of older adults take at least 5 different prescription drugs daily. Because medications can have contraindications that limit or restrict the usage of other prescription drugs, CBD oil might be an alternative to reducing the negative side effects of prescription drugs.
Seniors are turning to CBD oil as an alternative to harsher drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that can cause upset stomach, ulcers, heart issues, and liver damage.
Reduces inflammation
A natural anti-inflammatory drug, CBD oil is commonly used by seniors to treat arthritis pain, neck pain, back pain, and reduce inflammation throughout the entire body, which causes its pain-relieving properties.
Improving sleep
Because CBD oil reduces inflammation and pain throughout the body, it improves sleep function in older adults who toss and turn, or frequently experience discomfort while sleeping.
Additionally, its calming effects can foster a deeper, more restful sleep without using medications such as Ambien.
Reducing agitation
Aggression and agitation can be common behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
Up to 87% of people dealing with memory loss will exhibit increased signs of agitation or aggression at some point. Because of this, mood-stabilizing drugs such as benzodiazepines and antipsychotics are used, however, these drugs pose many risks and side effects.
Instead, CBD oil has been shown to be a safer alternative to reducing agitation and aggression in people with memory loss, while showing additional anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Contact The Kensington Redondo Beach, a leader in memory loss care
The Kensington Redondo Beach is an assisted living and memory care community located in Redondo Beach, California.
Our community provides specialized care for people dealing with memory loss caused by dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, including two distinct neighborhoods on-site dedicated solely to memory care.
We offer on-site physical rehabilitation, all-day dining, life enrichment events, and on-site licensed nurses 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
We’re proud to host complimentary Zoom events that inform and educate our residents, their caregivers, and their extended families, including Kensington Konnect, a hub for caregivers.
Our Promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own.Do you have a loved one dealing with memory loss? Please contact us today to learn more about how The Kensington Redondo Beach can improve their well-being.