How Edible Cannabis May Lower Your Risk of Cognitive Decline, Study Finds
When you light up or consume an edible, you may actually be reducing your risk of cognitive decline, as per a recent study comparing recreational cannabis users to nonusers. While it’s true that marijuana isn’t without its health harms, these findings have surprised even the scientists behind the study.
Surprising Results from the Study
Researchers at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University conducted a study involving nonmedical cannabis users above the age of 45, comparing their odds of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) with nonusers. The results, published in the journal Current Alzheimer Research, revealed that nonmedical cannabis use—regardless of consumption method or frequency—led to a 96% reduction in the odds of SCD.
Study coauthor Roger Wong, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the university’s Norton College of Medicine, expressed his astonishment, stating, “I was expecting cannabis to be linked to an increased risk for cognitive decline, because that’s pretty much what’s consistent in previous research.”
Dual and Medical Use Also Shows Promise
In addition to nonmedical use, the study also found that dual use and medical use of cannabis were associated with a decreased risk of SCD. Although these associations did not reach statistical significance, they still provided noteworthy insights.
Implications for Dementia Prevention
The research on SCD indicates that individuals with this condition face a higher likelihood of developing dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Addressing SCD through prevention methods may contribute to reducing the occurrence of dementia in the future. Dr. Wong explains, “We don’t have a way to prevent dementia right now, but if we can prevent subjective cognitive decline at the very beginning and track it, that’ll hopefully fix some of the issues that we’re having right now with dementia later in life.”
SCD Most Common Among Medical Cannabis Users
The study found that of the cannabis users experiencing SCD, the most common group comprised individuals who used cannabis for medical purposes. This was followed by dual users and recreational users. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between nonmedical cannabis use and a 96% reduction in the odds of SCD.
The Cannabis-Sleep-Dementia Connection
The study’s results should be interpreted with caution, as correlation does not imply causation, Dr. Wong notes. Factors such as frequency of cannabis use and the age group focused on in this study may influence the results. However, Dr. Brooke Worster, assistant professor at the M.S. in Medical Cannabis Science and Business program at Thomas Jefferson University, highlights that the composition of cannabis may be a more significant factor in cognitive decline than the purpose of its use (medical or recreational).
According to Dr. Worster, understanding the ratio of THC to CBD in the cannabis used would be highly relevant. However, the majority of cannabis users lack this knowledge, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about its effects.
US Cannabis Laws and Research Challenges
The study’s limitations stem from the varying legal status of cannabis across different states in the US. Additionally, the data used only covers 2021, making longitudinal research vital to validate these findings. Data accuracy is also compromised as individuals self-report their cannabis use, potentially influenced by the legal status in the state where they reside or personal biases.
For a more comprehensive understanding, future studies should employ objective cognitive decline measures instead of relying solely on subjective reporting to evaluate individuals’ cognitive health.
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