American scientists have discovered that a special medical formula made from two active components of marijuana (THC and CBD) significantly reduces anxiety, restlessness, and aggression in patients with late-stage dementia. The results of the clinical trial, which is the first of its scale, were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London.
In severe forms of dementia and Alzheimer’s, patients’ anxiety and emotional agitation represent one of the most difficult challenges for both the patients themselves and their caregivers. Currently available drugs (such as morphine or Valium) often have low efficacy and are characterized by severe side effects. As part of the new study, named “LiBBY,” scientists administered a purified blend of THC and CBD in the form of a fast-acting, oral oil to 120 patients with severe symptoms.
The results exceeded all expectations: a sharp improvement in condition was recorded in nearly 90% of patients (specifically, 87.2%) after 12 weeks, while the decrease in anxiety levels was already evident two weeks after starting treatment. According to the researchers, such a high positive response rate to a new drug in dementia clinical trials is an extremely rare and impressive phenomenon. Moreover, the rate of side effects was so low that it did not exceed the data of the placebo group.
Despite such promising results, scientists strictly warn the public that this formula is radically different from commercially available cannabis products. Doctors explain that the composition, quality, and dosage of oils and preparations sold in pharmacies or online are not controlled, which can cause serious harm to the patient instead of benefit, whereas the drug used in the study was laboratory-prepared under strict medical supervision.
