A small clinical trial presented this week suggests that a carefully dosed combination of THC and CBD may significantly ease agitation in people with advanced dementia. In the 12‑week study of 120 hospice-eligible patients, nearly 90 percent of those receiving the cannabinoid treatment saw agitation decrease, compared with less than a quarter in the placebo group. Symptoms such as vocal outbursts, hostility and repetitive movements are common in late-stage dementia and are often treated with antipsychotics, anti-anxiety drugs or opioids that can cause serious side effects, including increased confusion and earlier death.

Experts caution that the findings, funded primarily by the National Institute on Aging, are preliminary and the trial’s formulation has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Still, clinicians describe the results as “robust” and potentially safer than current options, while emphasizing that any cannabinoid treatment should be prescribed and monitored by medical professionals. Read the full report in The New York Times.