I found this at Sundownerfacts.com
I put in some of the responses, and the last one hit home in a big way, I hope you read it. If you need more resources, you can PM me, or @Root.
If we knew what state you are in @Arsenal, it might help us dial in your nearest avenue for healing.
@Mossy
MMJ and Sundowners (treating dementia with marijuana)
As the number of states legalizing medical marijuana/cannabis are increasing across the United States, many
families and caregivers of individuals with cognitive decline are beginning to ask if the herbal supplement may be a good option for their loved one. With the availability of safe, legal cannabis, an increasing number of individuals are finding that treating dementia with cannabis may be a viable option.
A brief history of medical cannabis use
Cannabis has been used for
medicinal purposes for well over 5000 years, and it was not until 1941, in response to articles that have since been proven false published in the late 20’s, that it was removed from the US pharmacopia. In recent years, many western countries have begun limited medical marijuana allowances, with a strongly positive response from patients and indications that the drug is primarily being used among patients to successfully treat the various physical and mental challenges it was prescribed to address.
What symptoms medical marijuana may alleviate
Use of certain strains of medical cannabis has been demonstrated anecdotally and scientifically to
alleviate various symptoms of aging, including symptoms prominent for a loved one with sundowners. It is effective in treating
insomnia, and calming down anxiety. It also has strong effects of calming down problematic behaviors, including panic driven flight responses or violence. Marijuana also has a potent pain relieving effect, and if your loved one is nearing the
end of their lives may be a gentle way to help them stay calm and comfortable in their final weeks or months.
Will it harm my loved ones memory?
Given the long association with marijuana and memory problems, it is natural that someone who is already helping a loved one through cognitive decline would be worried about potential side effects that may worsen the condition. While it’s true that cannabis may induce some short-term memory loss (namely, an individual may not be able to clearly remember things moment to moment while the marijuana is active in their system), it has only demonstrated long term memory loss effects with chronic use over several years, or use early in brain development. Promising studies have also demonstrated that THC, the active compound in marijuana, may in fact
delay the formation of brain clogging Alzheimers plaque better than pharmaceuticals currently available on the market.
How to find safe, legal medical marijuana
First, find out whether or not your state has
medical marijuana laws in effect. If your state does support medical marijuana, your public health department or basic internet searching should help you find the process for gaining access to dispensaries, which varies state to state. You may need to see one or several doctors to confirm a diagnoses for the prescription. These specialists will also help determine which strain or hybrid is best for your loved ones specific situation, as different types of marijuana are bred to amplify different therapeutic effects. Once you have the prescription, you will go to a dispensary, where pharmacy grade, medically regulated marijuana is sold. There will be a variety of options to choose from, including herbs for smoking, oils, resins, different kinds of smoking apparatus, and edible goods such as candies, cookies, or butter. You may need to experiment a little bit to find out what works best for your loved one: smoked cannabis tends to act faster and stronger, whereas ingested tends to last longer and take a while to set in. Depending on what symptoms it is being used to treat, and your loved ones feelings about the various options, it may take some experimentation before you find what works for you.
Treating dementia with cannabis – your story.
An increasing number of families of individuals experiencing cognitive decline are coming forward and sharing their stories on the Internet, for other caregivers to gain hope and advice from. In one inspirational story from Skunk Pharm Research LLC, introduction of medical marijuana to a mother who had become increasingly violent and aggressive as her Alzheimers worsened brought a woman comfort and peace in her last years of life, and reunited a family. You can read their moving story
here. We would like to extend an invitation to you, our readers, to share your own stories, if you have one to share. By collecting stories and hosting them on our site (with your permission, and anonymously if requested), you can help educate and inspire families like your own.
If you have a story concerning the use of medical cannabis in the treatment of sundowner syndrome or dementia, please share it with our readers below.
Updates March 2017
California’s Senior Medical Cannabis Market is definitely leading the way in the US. Here is a chart from the team of David Downs and John Blanchard at The Chronicle. For more great information on the topic of cannabis use and the aging see the
Green State: Seniors’ guide to Cannabis.
Comments
- Debbie says
MARCH 22, 2015 AT 2:58 PM
My mother has vascular dementia and I have been trying to have her perscribed medicinal marijuana for a year now with no luck. It is extremely frustrating when doctors tell me that the research is not there to support giving it to her. This is my mother, and I am fully able to decide what is best for her and what I am willing to do.
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- Jose Bro says
JULY 28, 2015 AT 3:49 PM
Try lemon drops with 100 mg label (not particularly accurate, but consistent). Research is lacking so be consistent. Track sleep rythym and mood on week prior. Try a three day regimen: 1 per day 3 hours before regular fall asleep dependably time. Keep a chart.
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- Becky says
OCTOBER 1, 2016 AT 4:08 PM
Most doctors will only prescribe medical marijuana for known illnesses it helps elieviate. My suggestion to you would be to take her back to the doctor and explain how her back hurts. It’s just a tiny white lie and just maybe her back does hurt she just is unable to tell you. Good luck Becky
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- Tracy says
NOVEMBER 21, 2016 AT 5:52 AM
Hi
My Mum also has Vascular Dementia. It’s such a horrid disease!
I have some oil and capsules. But my dilemma is getting her to agree to treat her with it. Her GP is aweful and is not pro cannabis.
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- Lev says
FEBRUARY 18, 2017 AT 10:30 PM
What would be the harm in giving it to her with out her knowing It it gives her a better quality off life
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- lORRAINE says
JUNE 20, 2017 AT 4:54 AM
I have been a caregiver for my sister who is now 83 yrs old w/this horrible dreadful disease-dementia. I just heard of the use of medical marijuana to help w/the dementia & that it not only helps w/dementia, it helps w/a lot of diseases. I guess all we can do is get in touch w/our state represenatives & let them know we feel that allowing medical marijuana to help those of us w/bad diseases is A MUST! This disease has been around (Alzhiemers) has been around for 80 yrs.; that certainly isn’t anything to be proud of that all the research & all the money that is given for donations for more research has not accomplished much-the meds they prescribe are not a CuRE..WE NEED HELP YESTERDAY….
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- Mel says
APRIL 16, 2017 AT 2:19 PM
You might have to make the decision for her and see how it works for her . It’s better than any pill for sure
- Leigh says
FEBRUARY 2, 2017 AT 5:28 AM
I am interested in trying it for my Mother who has dementia. But, Dementia is not on the list of qualifying diseases in Pennsylvania….Her physician is willing to prescribe it….
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- Rodney says
FEBRUARY 23, 2017 AT 11:07 AM
I also have a mother with dementia for 12 years now and also live in Pennsylvania I’m thinking about moving to a more liberal state and try there.
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- MARCH 27, 2015 AT 12:13 AM
anonymous says:
- We use medical marijuana (by prescription) for my father who has alzheimers…late stage with sundowning. I could not get a prescription from a traditional doctor, however easily got one from a medical marijuna doctor at a wellness center after his appointment with her.. And just so you know, my dad had been on all sorts of antipsychotic meds due to dementia behaviors, but since using medical marijuan in a candy chew, he has been off all behavior medicines, and just uses the chews.
He couldn’t sleep, but he does now. He would curse continually, but not now. He would fight to get out the door in wee hours w high agitation, but not now. It has been a goldmine for him and our family. We can now keep him home with us, and not have to institutionalize him. You have to go to wellenss doctors, as they are trained to prescribe and treat when traditional doctors just don’t know enough. From experience, I can tell you to keep trying. It has helped our loved one, like nothing else has. We are not drug using people, don’t like smoke around us, don’t drink, but for serious medical problems and behaviors we are absolutely on board with it…as long as it stays legal and is done the legal way–thru a prescription with dr. monitoring.
