CBD Oil as a Miracle Drug: A Thematic Analysis of Caregivers’ Attitudes and Practices Towards Cannabidiol in Dementia Treatment

• Published date: 01 January 2024
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/00220426221145019
• Author: Urszula Kłosińska,Magdalena Leszko
• Date: 01 January 2024
• Subject Matter: Articles

Article

Journal of Drug Issues

2024, Vol. 54(1) 38–56

© The Author(s) 2022

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DOI: 10.1177/00220426221145019

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CBD Oil as a Miracle Drug:

A Thematic Analysis of

Caregivers’Attitudes and

Practices Towards Cannabidiol

in Dementia Treatment

Urszula Kłosi ´

nska

1

and Magdalena Leszko

2

Abstract

The aim of this study was to understand caregivers of individuals with dementia attitudes toward

CBD oil. Thematic analysis was conducted with 67 posts (570 comments) about CBD oil selected

from a Polish online support forum for caregivers. We identif‌ied caregivers’expectations,

motivations, and practices of using CBD oil. Caregivers expected CBD to improve the behavior,

cognition, communication, and daily activities of their loved ones. They motivated each other by

sharing experiences about the positive effects of CBD oil and claimed to be administering CBD oil

without medical advice, which led to dangerous practices such as an overnight withdrawal of all

drugs or experimenting with CBD oil dosage. Caregivers perceive CBD oil as a safer and more

effective treatment for those with dementia than the conventional methods. We recommend

healthcare professionals inquire about possible CBD oil usage during follow-up visits and

thoroughly explain what to expect from prescribed medications.

Keywords

dementia, caregivers, CBD oil, alternative treatment, cannabidiol

Introduction

Dementia is a syndrome characterized by a decline in cognition to such an extent that it impairs

independent living and functioning range (Rehm et al., 2019). Current estimates indicate that

approximately 55 million individuals worldwide suffer from dementia and it is predicted that by

2050 this number may exceed 152 million (Nichols et al., 2022). Dementia poses considerable

challenges for an increasing number of individuals and their family members who often becom e

1

Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Wrocław, Poland

2

Department of Psychology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland

Corresponding Author:

Urszula Kłosi´

nska, Faculty of Psychology, SWPS Universityof Social Sciences and Humanities, Ostrowskiego 30B, Wrocław

53-238, Poland.

Email: uklosinska@swps.edu.pl

their caregivers. Caregiving involves a continual adaptation to decline in functioning and may

have a detrimental impact on caregivers’health and well-being (Del-Pino-Casado, Priego-Cubero,

López-Mart´

ınez, & Orgeta, 2021;S¨

orensen & Conwell, 2011).

Current treatments available to individuals with dementia are limited and can neither cure nor

alter the progression of the most common forms of dementia but only temporarily reduce certain

symptoms. Additionally, there are conf‌licting f‌indings regarding the effectiveness and safety of

commonly recommended medications like donepezil or rivastigmine (Lanct ˆ

ot, Rajaram, &

Herrmann, 2009;Li, Zhang, Zhang, & Zhao, 2019;Tricco et al., 2018). Furthermore, they

are associated with a range of side effects such as nausea, confusion, fatigue, or dizziness (Briggs,

Kennelly, & O’Neill, 2016;Buckley & Salpeter, 2015). While pharmacotherapy can be useful in

stabilizing or slowing the progression of the disease, the clinical evidence demonstrates that they

are most effective only during the early stages of the disease (Dou et al., 2018;Knight, Khondoker,

Magill, Stewart, & Landau, 2018).

A growing body of research shows that caregivers of individuals with dementia experience

greater levels of strain due to the diff‌iculty in dealing with the behavioral and psychological

symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The BPSD occur in more than 90% of people with dementia

(Cerejeira, Lagarto, & Mukaetova-Ladinska, 2012;Kim, Noh, & Kim, 2021). These symptoms

include a range of behaviors such as social withdrawal, agitation, anxiety, wandering, sleep

disruption, disinhibition, irritability, appetite changes, and outbursts of aggressive behavior and

can present a signif‌icant burden for individuals with dementia and their caregivers (Deardorff &

Grossberg, 2019;Kales, Lyketsos, Miller, & Ballard, 2019). Due to the BPSD’s unpredictable

nature, they may lead to detrimental outcomes in providing care, including poor quality of life,

depression, caregiver burden, and a higher risk of substance abuse and mortality (Cerejeira et al.,

2012). They are also associated with an increased use of medications, frequent hospitalization, and

an earlier nursing home placement of the individual with dementia (Hessler et al., 2018).

Since the BPSD represent a heterogeneous group of non-cognitive symptoms and behaviors,

their management depends on the symptom and its severity. The conventional treatment to lessen

the symptoms often includes antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and antipsychotics. However, the

administration of these drugs is associated with a range of adverse side effects such as increased

fall risk and mortality risk (Ettcheto et al., 2019;Rochon, Vozoris, & Gill, 2017). Although non-

pharmacological interventions (e.g., reminiscence therapy, music therapy) are recommended as

the f‌irst line of treatment and have been shown to benef‌it individuals with dementia by improving

their subjective well-being, communication skills, and decreasing depressive symptoms, their

effectiveness is limited (Wang, Pei, Zhan, & Cai, 2020). Additionally, considering the demands

associated with attending to the needs of an individual with dementia, caregivers often do not have

the time, energy, or f‌inances to comply with the recommended activities for the intervention to be

successful (Kales et al., 2019).

A lack of effective treatments for the most common symptoms of dementia and the stressful

nature of caregiving have prompted caregivers to investigate alternative therapies for symptoms of

dementia, including cannabidiol oil (Peprah & McCormack, 2019). Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of

more than a hundred cannabinoids found in Cannabis sativa L. Unlike Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol

(Δ9-THC), cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive component of cannabis. CBD is most often

inhaled, consumed in edibles, or immersed in oil (Outen et al., 2021). Contrary to THC, CBD does

not change heart rate or blood pressure, does not induce catalepsy, nor does it have detrimental

effects on psychomotor or psychological functions and is generally well tolerated (Maroon &

Bost, 2018). This favorable safety prof‌ile of CBD oil has led to its increasing popularity. CBD oil

has been extensively used for a wide range of medical conditions and is easily accessible to the

public online or as an over-the-counter supplement as long as it does not exceed .2% THC

(Hughes, Vandam, Mounteney, & Griff‌iths, 2022).

Kłosi´

nska and Leszko 39