Managing Alzheimer's Symptoms with Medical Cannabis
Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of Dementia – which is a general term for the loss of cognitive functioning, including memory, reasoning, and behaviour that is serious enough to affect everyday life. Alzheimer’s Disease accounts for a round 60-80% of all Dementia cases and most commonly affects people aged 65and over.
WhileAlzheimer’s is more common among older people, it is not considered a normal part of ageing. Importantly, younger people can also develop Alzheimer’sDisease – this is known as early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Furthermore, the condition worsens over time and leads to a significant reduction in quality of life and is also associated with premature death.
What are the symptoms?
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease may be associated with a large variety of symptoms; however, the most common include:
· Increased memory loss and confusion;
· Inability to learn new things;
· Difficulty with organisation and logical thinking;
· Hearing or seeing things that are not there;
· Disturbed sleep;
· Difficulties eating and moving around;
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, meaning that symptoms worsen over time. Early symptoms can include forgetting the names of objects or struggling to think of the right word. As the disease progresses, however, symptoms become more serious and can include hallucinations and the gradual loss of speech.
Cause and treatment
While the exact cause of Alzheimer’s is still not completely understood, it is believed to be linked to an abnormal build-up of proteins in and around braincells. This leads to a decrease in neurotransmitters that are involved in sending messages and signals to and from the brain. Over time, Alzheimer’sDisease leads to the shrinking of the brain – particularly areas that are linked to memory.
This process begins years before patients begin to experience symptoms which makes early diagnosis difficult. Evidence suggests that, while age is the biggest risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s Disease, family history may also play a role. The inheritance of genes may increase a person’s chance of developing the condition, though the additional risk is usually relatively small.
Lifestyle factors that are associated with cardiovascular disease may also increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease:
· Smoking
· Obesity
· Diabetes
· High blood pressure
· High cholesterol
There is currently no cure for Dementia, including Alzheimer’s Disease. Most treatment options, therefore, focus on symptom management, slowing the progression of the disease, and increasing quality of life. Several medicines may be prescribed, including Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors – medicines that help nerve cells communicate with one another. Therapy and activity programmes may also be recommended.
Medical Cannabis and Alzheimers
If traditional first-line treatment options such as those listed above fail to provide relief, medical cannabis may be considered to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease.
There is some evidence to support the potential of medical cannabis in improving symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s Disease which may also lead to an improvement in quality of life.
According to a 2019 report, current evidence suggests that medical cannabis may be effective for the treatment of various common symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, including agitation, aberrant motor behaviour, and nocturnal behaviour disorders, in addition to aberrant vocalisation and resting care.
Our specialist clinicians are experienced in assessing individual cases and helping to determine whether medical cannabis could be an effective option.
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Conditions Specialists
Dr Anup Mathew
Lead Psychiatry Specialist
Dr Anup Mathew
Consultant Psychiatrist | Clinical Lecturer
M.D., MA, MSc, BSc (Hons), MRCPsych, FHEADCP, MDCH, DCBH, PGCDM, PGCCE, MAcadMEd
Dr Mathew is a Community Psychiatrist in the NHS responsible for providing medical psychiatric support to a multi-disciplinary Primary Care Mental Health Service across East and North Kent.
Dr Mathew has extensive knowledge of mental health legislation having completed an MA in Medical Ethics and Law. He was appointed by the Ministry of Justice as a Medical Member of the First-tier Tribunal in the Social Entitlement Chamber. Dr Mathew also has a special interest in PTSD and Military Psychiatry having completed an MSc in War and Psychiatry and trained with the Royal Marines Reserve.
Dr Mathew was awarded Membership of the Academy of Medical Educators and Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy following his involvement in medical education which included being a University Lecturer.
As a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Addictions Faculty, Dr Mathew has qualifications and expertise in the management of alcohol and drug misuse, particularly with co-morbid mental health problems. Due to his expertise, Dr Mathew is a Medical Examiner and Health Examiner for the General Medical Council.
Dr Mathew holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy and he is also a qualified Medical Hypnotherapist. He incorporates a holistic approach in treatment that considers how biological, psychological and social factors impact on a person’s life and recovery journey. His work ethic has always been focused on trying to improve the outcomes of people with mental illness.
Dr Gerard Sinovich
Lead Pain Specialist
Dr Gerard Sinovich
Acute and Chronic Pain Management Consultant
MBBS, FRCA, FFPMRCA
Specialisms: Musculoskeletal pain; neuropathic pain; fibromyalgia; headaches; migraines; chronic neck, upper & lower back, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle pain; myofascial pain; inflammatory and connective tissue disorders; abdominal pain; pelvic pain; post-surgical pain and cancer pain.
Dr Sinovich qualified in anaesthesia and is professionally trained to treat different pain problems, particularly musculoskeletal pain and neuropathic pain. He is well renowned in his field following completion of specialised training in Pain Management at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, a world leading hospital in pain research and management.
Dr Sinovich is a pioneer in medical cannabis prescribing to chronic pain patients in the UK. He has extensive experience in prescribing medicinal cannabis over the last 3 years with training undertaken in Canada. He has featured in cannabis health news, BBC news, and in the daily mirror on topics related to medicinal cannabis. He has presented various web-based seminars on medicinal cannabis to both patients and aspiring doctors wanting to enter the field of medicinal cannabis. He is involved in research trials to better understand the use of medicinal cannabis and making it more accessible to individuals with chronic pain.
Here are some interesting facts about Dr Sinovich:
- Granted Foundation Fellowship of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (FFPMRCA)
- Medical director of “Panacea Pain Relief Clinic” with consulting rooms at the Spire Clare Park Hospital, Frimley Park Hospital and Spire St Anthony Hospital
- Presented at numerous national anaesthesia and pain medicine conferences
- Member of the British Pain Society and of the European Society for Regional Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine
- Faculty member of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCA), the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) and the Association of Anaesthetists (AAGBI)
- Local Pain Medicine Educational Supervisor responsible for teaching of undergraduate medical students in acute and chronic pain
Medical cannabis, legally prescribed
As featured on
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Your go-to blog for medical cannabis facts and updates.
FAQ’s
Answers to your most important medical cannabis questions.
Can medical cannabis support patients living with Alzheimer’s disease?
Medical cannabis may offer symptom relief for some individuals with Alzheimer’s, particularly for issues such as agitation, poor sleep, and anxiety. At Cantourage Clinic, we explore cannabis-based therapies as part of a personalised approach—especially when conventional options have proven limited or ineffective.
Is medical cannabis a legal treatment option for Alzheimer’s in the UK?
Yes. In the UK, medical cannabis can be prescribed legally by a specialist doctor for patients with chronic or neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s, where conventional treatments have failed. Cantourage Clinic provides safe, regulated access to cannabis-based medicines under UK law.
How might cannabis-based medicine help Alzheimer’s symptoms?
Some studies suggest cannabinoids may help manage secondary symptoms like restlessness, aggression, or insomnia. Our clinicians focus on enhancing patient comfort and quality of life by carefully selecting formulations—often favouring balanced or CBD-dominant products to minimise psychoactive effects.
What is the process to access medical cannabis treatment for Alzheimer’s at Cantourage Clinic?
Begin by scheduling a consultation with our medical team. We’ll assess the patient’s condition, medical history, and previous treatments. If eligible, we’ll create a tailored treatment plan and guide you through safe, compliant access to medical cannabis, with ongoing support every step of the way.