Updates on Cannabis Research for Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms

How can medical cannabis affect symptoms of Alzheimer’s? This month’s Healer webinar, hosted by hosted by Dustin Sulak, DO, included an analysis of recent in vitro and in vivo research on how cannabinoids can moderate various dementia symptoms, including those for Alzheimer’s disease, and even the core issue of memory loss and cognitive decline. Dr. Sulak also briefly discussed how new federal legislation passed earlier this month may affect hemp products, stating, “There's still a lot of questions up in the air, but I think the most important thing for all of us to know is this gives us a 12 month runway to find a way to make more sensible regulations.”

THC-CBD Extract for Alzheimer’s Disease

The first study discussed in the webinar, “A randomized clinical trial of low-dose cannabis extract in Alzheimer's disease,” was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in October 2025. This study built on previous preclinical and clinical research on cannabinoids for Alzheimer’s symptoms. In this phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial, 28 participants diagnosed with Alzheimer’s consumed either a placebo or a low-dose THC-CBD balanced (0.350 mg/THC and 0.245 mg/CBD) extract daily for 26 weeks. Compared to placebo, the participants taking the cannabinoids scored higher on Mini-Mental State Exam.

Though it was a small sample size, Dr. Sulak included the study because of its potential implications. “These are small groups, but still quite significant numbers,” he explained, noting that most other dementia studies do not include a placebo. “But the study is really asking the question, what happens if we just kind of nudge the endocannabinoid system? Now, what happens if we really treat and titrate the treatment to observable symptomatic improvement. But this is like cannabis as a tonic, just a little dose.” He also noted that cannabinoids could be a more affordable treatment compared to the FDA-approved treatment involving an infusion of antibodies.

Two Rodent Model Studies

CBDA and CBGA Targeting Disease Progression and Improving Memory

The next study, “Identification of Cannabidiolic and Cannabigerolic Acids as MTDL AChE, BuChE, and BACE-1 Inhibitors Against Alzheimer's Disease by In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Studies,” was published in Phytotherapy Research in January 2025. Researchers tested CBDA and CBGA as compounds for multitarget-directed ligands (MTDL) to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by targeting multiple variables. Both cannabinoids were found to act on enzymatic targets (AChE/BuChE, BACE-1) relevant in the disease progression and symptoms. The rodent model portion of the study tested the cognitive performance in mice injected with beta amyloid peptides to induce Alzheimer’s-like symptoms. The cannabinoids were found to improve hippocampal neuroplasticity and cognitive function, and CBGA also demonstrated reduced depressive-like behavior. “I think these compounds have a lot of promise, probably beyond dementia,” Dr. Sulak noted. “These are just kind of glimpses into what might happen in in humans.”

CBDA and Synaptic Connections

Dr. Sulak briefly discussed the third study, “Cannabidiolic Acid Rescues Deficits in Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation in Models of Alzheimer’s Disease: An Electrophysiological and Proteomic Analysis,” which was published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences in May 2025. This was another rodent study with CBDA, with researchers analyzing hippocampal slices and protein analysis in cortical tissue of mice with Alzheimer’s-like symptoms. “Basically what these what these folks found, was that CBDA in vitro at a low concentration reversed the attenuation of long-term potentiation,” Dr. Sulak explained. “These are really looking at upstream factors in Alzheimer's disease. How much energy does the mitochondria of the cell produce? How are the proteins handled? How are they sorted? And then, how can the nerves make new connections with each other?”

Significance for Future Studies

According to Dr. Sulak, the main takeaways from the two rodent model studies are that CBDA and CBGA join other cannabinoids (THC, THCA, and CBD) as proven multi-target directed agents in Alzheimer’s disease, though this effect in humans still needs to be researched, particularly for effective doses for humans. A main question for future research is, can we get these effects at doses that are likely for humans to consume? “And even though it's very hard to extrapolate that, these studies suggest the answer is yes, so I'm quite excited,” he states.

Literature Review of Cannabis and Alzheimer’s Studies

The final study, “Can cannabinoids alleviate behavioral symptoms in older adults with dementia? A systematic review,” was published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology in October 2025. Researchers analyzed studies related to medical cannabinoids used for managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). In total, ten studies, with a total of 278 participants, were examined. Through multiple mechanisms of action, cannabinoids demonstrated abilities to reduce agitation and sleep disturbances, improve functional abilities, and increase caregiver satisfaction while exhibiting good tolerability.

Dr. Sulak concluded with a message on the potential of cannabis in alleviating the multiple stresses of dementia. “Dementia, not just Alzheimer's dementia, but dementia in general is a huge problem,” he stated. “We don't have good treatments for it. We have an aging population, it requires a lot of care, it's a big financial burden on the economy. We need cost effective and overall safe and effective treatments for this. We have them in our beloved plant cannabis, and we need to continue to get these to people and to unlock their secrets.”