Can Cannabis Ease Repetitive or Compulsive Behaviours in Dementia?

PostedMarch 12, 2026

UpdatedMarch 12, 2026

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Julia Sutton, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Clarissa Morton, PharmD

Repetitive or compulsive behaviours, such as pacing, hand movements, or repeated speech, are common in dementia and can be distressing for both the individual and caregivers. These behaviours often reflect underlying anxiety, restlessness, or neurochemical imbalances. With increasing interest in medical cannabis, researchers are exploring whether THC and CBD, the key active compounds in cannabis, can help reduce these behaviours. While initial evidence is encouraging, cannabis is not currently recommended for this use in dementia.

Understanding Repetitive Behaviours in Dementia

Repetitive actions in dementia often stem from changes in the frontal lobes and basal ganglia, regions of the brain involved in planning, impulse control, and habit formation. They can be worsened by stress, fatigue, or environmental overstimulation. According to NHS guidance on dementia, non-drug approaches, such as maintaining routine, reducing noise, and offering calm reassurance, remain the first-line strategies for managing these behaviours.

How Might Cannabis Help?

Cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate stress, emotion, and repetitive motor activity.

THC activates CB1 receptors in the brain, influencing dopamine and GABA pathways involved in habit and movement control.

CBD acts more subtly, modulating serotonin (5-HT1A) and CB2 receptors, which may reduce anxiety and restlessness that drive compulsive behaviours.

A 2022 study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (PubMed 36247984) found that THC: CBD oils reduced overall agitation and repetitive behaviours in people with severe dementia. Similarly, a 2024 review in Frontiers in Psychiatry (PubMed 38447959) suggested that cannabinoid-based therapies might help manage compulsive symptoms by balancing neurotransmission in the brain’s reward circuits.

What Do NICE And NHS Say?

The NICE dementia guideline (NG97) and NICE guidance on cannabis-based medicinal products (NG144) both state that cannabis is not recommended for behavioural symptoms of dementia, including repetitive actions. The Alzheimer’s Society UK also highlights that while cannabinoids show early promise, clinical evidence remains too limited for use in routine dementia care.

Clinical Bottom Line

THC: CBD formulations may modestly reduce repetitive or compulsive behaviours by calming neural overactivity.

CBD may help indirectly by easing anxiety and restlessness.

Evidence remains preliminary, with few large-scale dementia trials completed.

NICE and NHS recommend behavioural interventions as first-line management.

Educational Context: AlleviMed

AlleviMed provides education on the safe and regulated use of cannabis-based medicinal products in the UK. It explains how these medicines are prescribed under MHRA and Home Office frameworks but clarifies that cannabis is not approved for repetitive or compulsive behaviours in dementia.

Takeaway

Cannabis compounds may influence brain pathways involved in anxiety and movement, suggesting possible benefits for repetitive behaviours in dementia. However, according to NICE, NHS, and Alzheimer’s Society guidance, the evidence is still too limited to recommend cannabis for this purpose. Non-drug approaches remain the safest and most effective strategy until larger studies confirm its role in dementia care.

Julia Sutton, MSc

Author

Julia Sutton is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and experience providing psychological assessment and therapy to adolescents and adults. Skilled in CBT, client-centered therapy, and evidence-based interventions, she has worked with conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and conversion disorder. She also has experience in child psychology, conducting psycho-educational evaluations and developing tailored treatment plans to improve learning and well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Clarissa Morton, PharmD

Reviewer

Dr. Clarissa Morton is a licensed pharmacist with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and experience across hospital, community, and industrial pharmacy. She has worked in emergency, outpatient, and inpatient pharmacy settings, providing patient counseling, dispensing medications, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Alongside her pharmacy expertise, she has worked as a Support Plan & Risk Assessment (SPRA) officer and in medical coding, applying knowledge of medical terminology, EMIS, and SystmOne software to deliver accurate, compliant healthcare documentation. Her skills span medication safety, regulatory standards, healthcare data management, and statistical reporting.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewers's privacy.