Mixed signals from cannabis research |
For decades, Alzheimer’s researchers have focused on clearing sticky amyloid plaques from the brain. But what if they’ve been looking at the wrong target? A new study suggests inhaled cannabidiol (CBD) — the non-intoxicating but physiologically-active compound found in cannabis — might fight the disease by calming the brain’s immune response instead.
The keyword seems to be “inhaled’ — oral CBD doesn’t reach the brain as effectively, which may explain why previous CBD studies were disappointing. Researchers at Augusta University found that when properly delivered, CBD calmed two overactive major immune pathways in the brain, improving both memory and anxiety in treated mice.
This suggests Alzheimer’s might also be an inflammatory disease, not just a tangled protein or metabolic problem. “We have patients with brains full of amyloid who never develop dementia,” observed neuropsychologist Megan Glenn. The team now has FDA approval for human trials of inhaled CBD for Alzheimer’s.
But while CBD shows therapeutic potential, regular cannabis use tells a different story. An analysis of 4.2 million people found that cannabis users are 4 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than non-users. The likely culprit is the psychoactive compound delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which appears to disrupt insulin function while triggering appetite surges, or “munchies,” that lead to poor food choices.
To understand why CBD must be inhaled to work and what the FDA trials will look for in humans, jump to “CBD may help treat and reduce inflammation in Alzheimer's disease.”
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