From calmer nights to improved appetite, CBD offers gentle support for dementia symptoms as part of holistic brain health care.
Memory problems affect millions of families worldwide, from mild forgetfulness to the challenges of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Recently, there has been increased research into natural approaches to brain health alongside traditional care. For people looking for a gentle, holistic option, CBD may be the solution.
In order to understand how CBD interacts with brain health, you have to look beyond simple symptom management. The endocannabinoid system plays a complex role in cognitive function. In simple terms, there are multiple pathways of support.
CBD hasn’t really been studied for occasional forgetfulness, so we’ll be focusing on managing dementia symptoms.
As we said, the endocannabinoid system helps regulate many brain processes. These include memory formation, mood stability, and neuroinflammation. This all comes together to help maintain clarity as well as emotional balance. This is what makes it ideal for easing dementia symptoms.
While more human studies are needed, some caregivers and family members have found CBD to be helpful for many symptoms associated with dementia.
Memory loss often brings agitation and restlessness along with it. This, of course, causes distress for both the people experiencing it and their caregivers. Feelings like agitation then interfere with daily activities and quality of life. It can be hard to get around with traditional healthcare though, as treatment may mean sedation, which would also negatively impact quality of life.
People like CBD because the effects are more gentle than some medications, and studies have repeatedly shown it can help promote a sense of calm. Studies indicate CBD influences serotonin and GABA activity. We won’t get into the neuroscience details here, but both are helpful for mood regulation and emotional stability.
Some research has explored CBD’s potential to reduce agitation in dementia patients. A systematic review found that low doses of CBD, starting around 5mg daily, showed promise for managing agitation symptoms without significant side effects.
The calming effects reported with CBD may also help create a more peaceful environment. People with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia benefit from calm environments because symptoms can trigger each other or snowball quickly. Their families and caregivers benefit as well, as care is easier to administer and there are more chances for positive interactions.
Sundowning
Sundowning is where confusion, agitation, and behavioral changes worsen during late afternoon and evening hours. It comes with the one-two punch of distress and causing issues with sleep patterns.
The disruption of natural circadian rhythms often contributes to sundowning behaviors. CBD research suggests it may help support more stable sleep-wake cycles, potentially reducing the severity of evening symptoms. Do note that there have been studies with conflicting results, there is still more research to be done here.
Some caregivers report that administering CBD in the early evening helps their loved ones transition more calmly into nighttime routines. There are a lot of CBD products that are designed to improve restful sleep, with some including other active ingredients like melatonin. You may want to check out Zendoz Dream Gummies, which are specifically for calmer nights.
As with all sleep aids, remember to take them at the correct time, which is typically 1-2 hours before bedtime. Your healthcare provider can give you more specific instructions on the ideal dosage and timing to help with sundowning.
If you can, pair CBD products with good sleep hygiene to get the most benefit. This means sticking to routines and creating a good sleep environment. The goal is supporting natural transitions rather than forcing immediate changes.
People with acute memory loss may start losing their appetite as well. Much like bad sleep, this can pile on to increase agitation and distress. This is not to mention nutritional concerns and weight loss. Appetite loss can create a cycle where poor nutrition further impairs cognitive function and someone’s overall wellbeing.
You may be familiar with THC’s reputation as an appetite stimulant. CBD is a little different. Studies suggest CBD works more subtly through stress reduction and improved overall comfort. It’s also been shown to have anti-nausea properties.
When people feel calmer and experience less agitation, they may naturally show more interest in food and especially dining with others.
Basically, CBD improves many different symptoms associated with dementia due to its calming effects. From sleep to appetite to general distress.
There are 100s of readily available CBD products to explore, at different dosages and formats. Think about personal needs, current medications, and specific symptoms to choose the best option.
One easy rule of thumb is to always start with the lowest effective dose. This allows you to keep an eye on both benefits and any unwanted effects as you gradually increase dosage (if needed). The lowest dose commonly available online is 10mg per serving. You can always cut gummies in half, or use a partial dose for liquid formats if you’d prefer to start with the lowest effective dose of 5mg.
The science currently recommends starting at 5mg per dose and gradually increasing, up to a maximum of 25mg if needed. That range of 5mg-25mg has been studied for both calming anxiety and improving sleep.
You may also want to think about timing. Many caregivers find late afternoon or early evening doses are most helpful for sleep and sundowning symptoms, while morning doses can improve daytime calmness and clarity.
When it comes to formats, it’s a mixture of personal preference and thinking about what is easiest to consume. Some people with dementia have trouble swallowing, so they may prefer liquid or topical formats. If that isn’t the case, gummies are often the format of choice as they’re familiar and typically have a palatable flavor. All ingested options allow for precise dosage, with liquids being the most flexible.
Finally, if you’re searching for the right products, you’ll discover some are full-spectrum or broad-spectrum or isolate. Here’s a quick breakdown of what each means:
Any of the above may contain additional active ingredients, like melatonin in sleep gummies. If the person has never taken CBD before, it’s generally suggested to start with an isolate product to determine the effects without anything else at play.
CBD tends to have very mild side effects, and typically resolve as the body gets used to CBD.
Side effects may include mild drowsiness, dry mouth, or digestive changes. These typically occur at higher doses – one study looked at people taking 1,500mg daily – and often diminish with continued use or dose adjustments.
The most important safety consideration is drug interactions. CBD can affect how the liver processes certain medications, potentially making them less effective or increasing side effects. Consult a healthcare professional to ensure none of your treatments will interfere with each other.
Quality control varies significantly among CBD products. Review each product’s certificate of analysis (COA) to make sure it is free from contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, or residual solvents. The COA will also verify potency.
Start with the lowest recommended dose and increase gradually over several days or weeks. This helps you figure out the minimum effective dose with fewer risk of side effects.
Existing research points to a minimum dose of 5mg of CBD daily for dementia-related symptoms. Studies have explored doses up to 25mg daily, but lower amounts often provide therapeutic benefits with fewer side effects.
Each person is different, with body weight, metabolism, and symptom severity making an impact on the right dosage. Some people can find relief with doses as low as 2.5mg, while others may need higher amounts.
Most experts recommend starting with the minimum dose and gradually increasing if needed.
Always consult with a healthcare professional if you’re unsure of where to start.
CBD mainly helps memory loss symptoms by providing a sense of calm and reducing anxiety. This is especially helpful for people with dementia because that calm helps with multiple symptoms from agitation to sundowning to appetite.
The compound appears to influence neuroinflammation, which plays a role in many neurodegenerative conditions. CBD may also support neurogenesis, the process of creating new brain cells. However, there is a lot more research to be done in this space.
The most common side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, reduced appetite, and occasional digestive issues.
These effects typically occur at higher doses and often go away as the body adjusts to CBD. This is part of why it’s recommended to start with low doses and increase gradually.
One thing to watch out for is interactions with other compounds or medications. This is always a consideration when trying new treatments.
Finally, the quality of the product could cause additional problems. Choose a reputable manufacturer that provides third-party lab testing results to ensure products are free from contaminants.
While no CBD products are specifically recommended for dementia treatment, you should look for products with precise dosing and third-party testing.
You can choose any format you’d like – gummies, softgels, liquid, topical – based on how precise you need to be with dosage and which formats feel easiest to administer for your situation.
There are some products that combine CBD with other compounds and are marketed as supporting brain health. They may be right for you, but simpler formulations (isolate CBD) is a good starting point if the person has never tried cannabinoids before.
You may be tempted to start as small as possible through microdosing. Most studies have tested doses as low as 5mg, which would not technically be considered microdosing. Lower doses may or may not be as effective.
At the currently suggested doses, CBD typically doesn’t cause brain fog. In fact, some people report improved mental clarity. This is likely because CBD has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. When your body is feeling its best, you’re likely to be feeling your best mentally as well.
Brain fog can happen at higher doses or in particularly sensitive people. Again, start at the lower dosage to determine if this will be the case.
If brain fog occurs, try reducing the dose or change up the timing.
Zendoz has prioritized developing products to support memory loss symptoms and other brain health concerns like traumatic brain injury. We know memory concerns deserve careful, compassionate attention. We’ve got answers to your questions about CBD, Delta-9 THC, and products designed to be part of a comprehensive care plan.
You must be 21 or older to view this website.
