THC: daily doses could improve memory in the elderly

Could cannabis be good for memory? That’s what a scientific study recently published in Nature Medicine and conducted by German researchers. Researchers at the University of Bonn have shown that daily use of low-dose cannabis may be beneficial for older adults.

The tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) continues to surprise us. This study, conducted on mice of different ages (two months, one year, and 18 months), sought to determine the effects of cannabis on the brain, particularly in older individuals. To do this, a memory test was conducted in a maze, in which the mice had to recognize familiar objects. After being administered THC, the younger mice had more difficulty concentrating, while the older mice showed improved memory performance. The results show that administering a low dose of THC mimics cognitive decline: the abilities of the younger mice decreased, while the decline in the abilities of the older mice was mitigated. After more than three weeks, the German researchers also concluded that the memory abilities of the younger mice deteriorated over time, confirming the Effects of Cannabis on Memory the youngest ones.

Andras Bilkei-Gorzo, the author of the study published in the scientific journal Nature Medicine, reports: «It seems that young brains are getting old and old brains are getting young! THC restores the cognitive abilities of old mice to the level of those of young mice,» he told the British newspaper The Independent.

According to this study, the molecules in cannabis—cannabinoids—have a greater effect on the brains of older adults than on those of younger people. The effects of cannabis are thought to have a positive impact on mood, sensory perception, and, of course, memory.

The potential benefits of THC on memory in older adults have not yet been directly tested in humans. Further scientific research is needed on this topic as well.