USE OF CANNABIDIOL IN PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the main non-psychoactive compounds in Cannabis sativa, has aroused growing interest in research as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of dementia. Some studies claim that CBD may have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects on neuromodulatory systems related to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Although results are still limited, the use of this drug represents a promising approach in managing the symptoms associated with dementia, especially when conventional therapies are ineffective for patients. This integrative review aims to evaluate the use of cannabidiol for the treatment of dementia, examining the available literature without year restrictions. Through a systematic search in the PubMed, EBSCO and SCIELO databases, 159 studies were initially found in PubMed, 65 in EBSCO and 4 in the SCIELO database. After screening, 10 relevant studies were selected for the assembly of the article, including randomized controlled trials, case reports, and meta-analyses. The results suggest that cannabidiol is a potential drug to be used in the treatment of dementia, showing significant improvement in symptoms. However, studies suggest the need for careful monitoring of doses in order to avoid adverse effects of the medication.