Alternative Medicine: Traditional and Alternative Medicine to Combat Neurodegeneration

Authored by: Chloe Yerin Lee

Art by: Fiona Reilly

Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the most pressing and prevalent biomedical challenges of the twenty-first century. Millions are affected worldwide by dementia-related conditions. In the United States alone, an estimated 7.1 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease as of 2024 [1]. Despite decades and ongoing research, many aspects of neurodegenerative disease remain unclear, irreversible and progressive. This leaves patients and families with limited therapeutic options, and a substantial economic burden.

In the scientific community, research has heavily focused on the implications of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, both of which have been labelled as hallmark proteins of Alzheimer’s disease. Similarly, Huntington’s disease is characterized by huntingtin accumulation, and Parkinson’s research has focused on alpha-synuclein aggregation. With the specificity of these proteins, the advancement of therapeutic targeting through models like monoclonal antibody treatments has thus far yielded inconsistent results. In addition, these FDA-approved drugs are costly and limited. These financial and biomedical barriers have led to the exploration of more accessible traditional and alternative strategies–one of growing interest involving medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), found in sesame and coconut oil [2]. MCTs induce ketosis, offering the brain’s neurons an alternative energy source to glucose. Studies have suggested that this mechanism reduces neuroinflammation and reduces protein aggregation in mice models, revealing a potentially affordable alternative to conventional medicine. 

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, and is another potentially emerging therapeutic candidate. CBD, which cannot be confused with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), doesn’t induce intoxication. On the contrary, it has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits in early studies across all Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s models [3]. CBD has even shown promise to work synergistically with MCT, enhancing such anti-inflammatory outcomes[4]. 

While plant-based approaches hold merit, these pharmacological interventions still represent only one dimension of holistic care. The reality is that dementia-associated diseases often coincide with other symptoms like depression and social withdrawal, which could also accelerate cognitive decline. Therefore, regular social interaction and cognitive stimulation exercise, including puzzles, music therapy, memory games, and more, activate neural pathways but also promote meaningful human connection. 

On the topic of affordability, another complementary method gaining traction is aromatherapy. More particularly, essential oils have been shown to support mood and stress regulation. Compounds in lavender, rosemary, and lemon oils have shown neuroprotective potential in smaller scale human studies, and some even suggest improvements in sleep quality and memory performance among dementia patients. Although such biochemical mechanisms are still being studied, some studied pathways that lead to reduced stress and inflammation include modulation of neurotransmitters like GABA and acetylcholine[5]. Paired with socialization and memory games could also potentially introduce synergistic effects of combating depression and neuroinflammation. Aromatherapy is a low-cost and non-invasive method that holds potential to serve as a supplement to complement more targeted interventions.

Continued efforts in traditional and alternative medicine with an emphasis on holistic care may provide a more compassionate and effective model for managing neurodegenerative disease. Ultimately, paired with emerging biomedical innovations, this approach can allow patients and their families a greater agency in patient care, dignity, and offer hope in the face of this pervasive disease. 

Works Cited

1. Alzheimer's Association. (2025). 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. https://www.alz.org/getmedia/ef8f48f9-ad36-48ea-87f9-b74034635c1e/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf

2. Van der Auwera, I., Wera, S., Van Leuven, F., & Henderson, S. T. (2005). A ketogenic diet reduces amyloid beta 40 and 42 in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Nutrition & Metabolism, 2(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-7075-2-28

3. ‌Trojan, V., Landa, L., Šulcová, A., Slíva, J., & Hřib, R. (2023). The Main Therapeutic Applications of Cannabidiol (CBD) and Its Potential Effects on Aging with Respect to Alzheimer’s Disease. Biomolecules, 13(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13101446

4. Juby, A. G., Blackburn, T. E., & Mager, D. R. (2022). Use of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil in subjects with Alzheimer’s disease: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study, with an open‐label extension. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/trc2.12259

5. Ball, E. L., Owen-Booth, B., Gray, A., Shenkin, S. D., Hewitt, J., & McCleery, J. (2020). Aromatherapy for dementia. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 8(8), CD003150. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003150.pub3