Is Cannabis the Future of Alzheimer’s Care? Study Finds Anxiety Relief Without Side Effects

Researchers have found that dronabinol, a synthetic compound extracted from cannabis, can help alleviate anxiety in Alzheimer’s patients without the risk of side effects.

These findings were presented at the International Psychogeriatric Association conference, where experts highlighted the potential of dronabinol to ease agitation—a common issue in Alzheimer’s patients. Anxiety often contributes to treatment refusal, sleep disturbances, and aggressive behavior, all of which require careful management. As such, researchers are exploring various approaches to address these symptoms, from behavioral therapies to medication.

In a recent study, a research team proposed that dronabinol, a synthetic version of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component found in cannabis, could effectively reduce anxiety in Alzheimer’s patients. The team conducted a three-week trial involving 75 participants to test this theory.

While dronabinol has traditionally been used to alleviate nausea and vomiting and stimulate appetite, this research focused on its potential to manage anxiety symptoms related to Alzheimer’s.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included Alzheimer’s patients aged 60 to 95. Participants taking lithium or those already exhibiting delirium symptoms were excluded. The 75 participants were recruited from five clinical research centers, and 63 completed the study. The participants were given either dronabinol or a placebo twice daily for three weeks.

Researchers evaluated patient behavior using several assessment tools, such as the Pittsburgh Agitation Scale (PAS) and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory, Clinical Version (NPI-C). They conducted surveys to investigate the efficacy and side effects of dronabinol. The results showed dronabinol significantly reduced anxiety without causing more side effects than the placebo.

The research team concluded that dronabinol appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for anxiety in Alzheimer’s patients and expressed optimism about its future use in clinical settings. However, they clarified that the drug addresses only the symptoms related to Alzheimer’s, not the underlying disease itself.

Researchers also emphasized the need for further studies to replicate these findings and assess whether dronabinol’s benefits can be sustained over the long term.