Cannabis Eases Agitation in Advanced Dementia

A clinical trial presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in London suggests that a medical cannabis treatment significantly reduces agitation in patients with advanced dementia.

The study involved 120 patients and found that nearly 90 percent of those receiving a THC and CBD combination experienced eased agitation after 12 weeks, compared to less than a quarter of those on a placebo.

This cannabinoid treatment is being considered a promising, potentially safer alternative to antipsychotic or anti-anxiety medications, which can have serious side effects like confusion and sedation.

The treatment, developed specifically for the trial, was administered as an oil and did not produce a high due to low THC dosage, with researchers emphasizing the need for medical professional oversight.

While preliminary, the LIBBY trial, named after a patient with unmanageable agitation, demonstrated a robust finding and showed improvement in patients treated at home or in institutions, highlighting a new option for end-of-life care.

Further research is supported by experts, though they caution against unprescribed use due to potential risks, stressing that medical cannabis should be a last resort when other treatments fail.