Alzheimer’s Benefits From Moderate Drinking, Not Medical Marijuana

By Clapway

Early Alzheimer’s disease patients who engage in light or moderate drinking have been shown to have fewer chances of dying in a new study. The research was conducted at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.

Moderate Drinking Can Have A Protective Effect on Cardiovascular Disease

The team, lead by Dr. Sine Bernsten, took data from a previous 12-month study that looked into a psychosocial counseling and support program for people with Alzheimer’s in early stages. This study had 321 participants, with details of lifestyle habits. 10% of the people didn’t drink at all, and 70% had about 10ml of pure alcohol per day. This would be about 1/3 of a pint of beer or half a glass of wine per day.

People Who Drank Moderately Had Better Life Expectancy

17% of the participants drank about 30ml per day, and less than 5% drank over 30ml per day. After four years, 53 out of the 321 study participants died. The average life expectancy for people with Alzheimer’s is 8-10 years. In conclusion, people in the study who drank between 20ml and 30ml had a 77% lower risk of death than those who drank less.

Alzheimer’s Could Benefit from Alcohol

This was concluded after taking into account gender, age, education and smoking. This is evidence that moderate drinking has a protective effect on mortality and reduces risk of cardiovascular disease, modification of inflammation and insulin sensitivity.

Though this can’t say for sure that drinking has a positive effect on Alzheimer’s patients or in people in general, it definitely doesn’t dissuade from the idea that it could have some benefits. As moderate drinking can have a link to social drinking, this would bring further benefits to anyone.

Can Medical Marijuana Prevent Alzheimer’s?

Very small doses of TCH can slow the production of beta-amyloid proteins, a key contributor to the development of Alzheimer’s, according to a study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s disease. Though the study was published last year, it retains some merit, especially when more states are introducing medical marijuana production.

The study stresses that though it prevents the development of the beta-amyloid protein, it cannot be ruled out to be safe for use by anyone. However, TCH can be considered to be used in medications that can be safe and legal and useful in treating Alzheimer’s disease.

Medical Marijuana Has No Effect on Dementia Patients

There wasn’t a significant difference in studies researching the effect of marijuana in the treatment of dementia. A team from Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, Netherlands researched the effect of marijuana on depression, anxiety, aggression, insomnia and hallucinations.

A group of 50 participants were split into two groups. One of them received 1.5mg of medical marijuana in pills, while another received a placebo. This was administered three times a day for three weeks. The behavioral symptoms for both groups were found to be exactly the same as before the study was conducted.

Further Research Could Provide Different Results

The research was led by Geke A.H. van den Elsen, who still believes that medical marijuana could have positive effects on dementia. He expressed that there is a higher dose could be beneficial. Further research could shed new light on the effect of medical marijuana on theses kinds of patients, which are becoming increasingly stigmatized and less commonly treated. Medical marijuana, perhaps in higher doses and ingested in different methods can have more beneficial effects than initially projected.

Alzheimer’s is a very dangerous disease. If more treatments are found to handle it in its early stages, the lives of millions will be impacted. Even if moderate drinking and medical marijuana aren’t the answer, there should be a natural compound that can help reduce the progression of the disease. The scientific community has still to discover more alternatives to treatment.