Cannabis is not a panacea, but in this case it may have provided an antidote. Cannabis and Aging studies have worked to mitigate some of the negative effects associated with aging. The initial results showed that long-term marijuana use was associated with positive changes in cognitive functions such as learning and memory. This association became more significant over time, meaning that people who used Cannabis for a longer period of time performed better in tests than those who reported using marijuana for a shorter duration.
How do researchers determine the influence of marijuana on cognitive functions in Elders?
The researchers looked at data from 2,252 participants aged 50 or older to examine the correlation between long-term marijuana use and cognition. They found that cannabis use was associated with increased performance in the domains of learning, memory and overall cognition.
What are some other studies showing about the effects of marijuana on aging?
This is not the first study to report positive associations between Cannabis and Aging and cannabis use and cognition. Since the early 1980s, researchers have shown that marijuana has a positive impact on the brain.
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One study, published in the British Medical Journal , found that marijuana use was not associated with any significant long-term negative effects on cognitive function or psychological well-being. Researchers examined data from more than 50,000 men and women and found that
Cannabis users did not have a higher risk of mental health problems compared to non-users. They also found that even when cannabis use began in early adolescence, it was not associated with poorer performance on memory and learning tests later in life.
Another study , published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry , has shown similar results. The research team looked at data from over 1,000 New Zealanders who had been followed since birth in the late 1970s. They found that individuals who reported using cannabis between ages 18 and 38 performed better on a test of verbal learning, memory, and reasoning even after controlling for educational achievement.
What are some potential explanations for these results?
Scientists believe that cannabidiol (CBD), one of the two active ingredients in
marijuana, may be responsible for the positive effects. CBD has known neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties that could protect brains from the damage associated with aging.
How do other studies back up the researchers’ claims?
A recent study showed that using marijuana reduces brain inflammation in mice, suggesting that it could have a similar impact on humans with neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis. A separate study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that mice treated with a synthetic
cannabinoid for seven days had reduced brain levels of amyloid beta, an abnormal protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
What are some potential negative effects of marijuana use?
While its benefits seem to outweigh the negatives, marijuana use continues to be linked with a host of potential health problems. For one, evidence suggests that
Cannabis may trigger or exacerbate symptoms in patients with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses . Furthermore, the drug can pose a risk for some people who have heart disease.
“No medicine is completely safe,” says Nicholas Lintzeris, MD, professor of addiction at the University of Sydney and deputy director of the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC) in Australia. “There are significant side effects, especially from smoking.”
It’s also important to note that
marijuana use can affect your ability to drive . One study found that people who consumed
Cannabis within three hours of driving were almost twice as likely to cause a vehicle accident. Other research has found that using marijuana can have many harmful effects on the heart and circulatory system in addition to its direct impact on cognitive functioning.
In conclusion, Cannabis and Aging is a great topic to e researching. As with anything, too much is too much. Whatever way you choose to partake in
Cannabis, do it wisely.
***DISCLAIMER: This information is provided for educational purposes only. There are no warranties expressed or implied regarding any of the recommendations listed or the information that they contain. Any individual using Cannabis does so at their own risk. You should not use this article to diagnose yourself or anyone else with a condition, disease, disorder, sensitivity, deficiency syndrome, allergenic tendency or allergy without consulting them first about it. Also you should never discontinue any medication or medical treatment without first consulting your health care provider, even if they’ve been previously advised of your intention to do so. This article should not be used as a prescription or diagnosis for any medical treatment whatsoever and may not apply at all to anyone. Your local health care authorities are the only source of information regarding what medications are legal where you live and how best to access them. We expressly disclaim any liability whatsoever for the contents of this article as well as any references contained or linked to within its pages.
Cannabis and Aging and a very important topic with much research being done to mitigate the negative effects of Aging. Of course more research needs to be done to safely dose our Elders.
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