TX Medical Marijuana for Alzheimer’s Disease

Texas Medical Marijuana for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment

Texans now have access to medical cannabis to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Medical marijuana is turning out to be a godsend for many Texans suffering from Alzheimer’s and their loved ones. 

Texas medical marijuana doctors are also using medical marijuana to treat other conditions that cause dementia such as Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. 

Research is revealing that medical marijuana offers a safe and effective treatment for several of the symptoms that can accompany Alzheimer’s disease.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

The causes of Alzheimer’s aren’t 100 percent clear yet. However, one specific genetic mutation has been identified in half of Alzheimer’s patients. Researchers believe the condition might be caused by environmental, genetic, and lifestyle factors. 

Alzheimer’s disease is indicated by tangled bundles of fibers called neurofibrillary or tau tangles in the brain. Also, clumps of abnormal proteins known as amyloid plaques are often present. These conditions damage the brain and result in progressive dementia. In the final, deadly stages of Alzheimer’s, patients become delusional. Moreover, performing even basic functions such as swallowing can become extremely difficult. 

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, apparent symptoms are mild. Patients become forgetful and easily confused. They often start to suffer from depression and become socially withdrawn. They also experience mood swings, irritability and aggressiveness, and insomnia. 

There is no treatment that is 100 percent effective at eliminating the tangles and plaques that come with Alzheimer’s. However, medical marijuana has been shown to be effective at treating each of these symptoms — not in all patients, but in a sizeable percentage. 

Many patients with Alzheimer’s disease are responding well to cannabis therapy. Cannabinoids have been shown to reduce behavioral symptoms of dementia including agitation and aggression. 

Evidence also suggests that marijuana can be effective in reducing the amyloid plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

CAN CANNABIS HELP ALZHEIMER’S PATIENTS - VIDEO

Texas Medical Marijuana

How To Use Medical Marijuana To Treat Alzheimer’s Disease In Texas

The only forms of medical cannabis available in Texas are cannabis oil, cannabis-infused lozenges, topical cannabis lotions, tinctures, and inhalers. Each of these products is limited to 1.0 percent THC and must contain at least 10 percent CBD. 

Patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s might benefit from the use of cannabis-infused lozenges. However, patients suffering from advanced symptoms may have trouble with lozenges in which case tinctures are the better option. Tinctures can be added to food or beverages or they can be dropped under the tongue where the cannabinoids can be directly absorbed into the bloodstream.

Also, keep in mind that CBD oil derived from hemp in Texas is legal. What this means is that anyone can buy CBD online and have it delivered to their doorstep bypassing the need for a Texas medical marijuana card. 

That being said, Alzheimer’s disease is a very serious medical condition. Patients wishing to add cannabis oil to their treatment regimen should be treated under the supervision of a qualified doctor who is knowledgeable in the use of cannabis medicine.

How To Get A TX Medical Cannabis Recommendation

Residents of all ages are eligible for a Texas medical marijuana. The cannabis certificate gives patients access to high-CBD, low-THC cannabis oils sold by Texas dispensaries

Before a patient can obtain a medical marijuana card they must be examined by a certified Texas medical marijuana doctor. 

In addition to Alzheimer’s disease, qualifying conditions for a Texas medical marijuana include cancer, autism, seizure disorders including epilepsy, MS, ALS, PTSD, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and Parkinson’s disease.

Patients under the age of 18 are also eligible for a Texas medical marijuana cert but are required to receive recommendations from two state-certified medical marijuana doctors. 

Patients who need help procuring and administering medical cannabis products may designate a caregiver. A parent or guardian must act as a caregiver for a minor. 

After being certified, patients must log on to the Compassionate Use Registry database to complete their registration and receive their Texas medical marijuana card. 

Find medical marijuana doctors in Texas

Texas Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

There are only three companies in the state of Texas that are licensed to cultivate cannabis and manufacture and sell cannabis medicine. They are Compassionate Cultivation, Consortium Texas, and Good Blend. Several Texas dispensaries allow patients to order by phone or online for home delivery. 

Find medical marijuana dispensaries and delivery in Texas

 

Sources and additional reading:

Scroll to Top