Each year, more and more people are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The brain is one of the major organs affected by the aging process, with cognitive decline and memory loss being significant changes one can suffer from. If you are looking to fight all of these changes and protect the brain against the actual aging process, cannabis might be the answer you were looking for. A daily dose of cannabis could protect and heal the brain from the aging process and its consequences.
Cannabis Can Reverse the Effects of the Aging Process at the Level of the Brain
When it comes to improving your memory, cannabis might be more beneficial than you believed. In fact, according to a study undertaken by researchers at the University of Bonn, cannabis could be used to reverse the effects of the aging process at the level of the brain.
These are the Main Points of the Research Study:
- Cannabis can reverse memory loss and cognitive decline associated with the aging process
- A low dose, administered on a long-term basis, is enough to keep the brain healthy and functioning
- This research has opened the pathway for cannabis being considered an effective treatment for dementia.
As we age, we begin to experience difficulties in remembering things or accumulating new information. The brain is affected by the aging process, causing us to have such difficulties. Cannabis could be used to keep age-related cognitive decline at a safe distance and, at the same time, to help those who have suffered from brain injuries and memory loss. The daily administration of cannabis could either slow down the degenerative process or even reverse it altogether.
First time when Research Concentrates on the Older Population
Many of the studies that were undertaken about cannabis usage have targeted teenagers and young people. This is also the reason why a stigma has been created around cannabis, despite its many obvious benefits for general health. This new research has finally concentrated on the older population, revealing the benefits cannabis could offer about brain health and aging as a process.
As we live in an age where dementia has become increasingly common, it makes sense to be on the lookout for a way to stop or reverse the aging process and its effects on brain health. Cannabis could be a solution, as the research performed on mice has demonstrated. Researchers were able to prove that cannabis can boost the cognitive performance of older mice, in comparison to younger ones.
Cannabis was administered on a daily basis and the mice were subjected to some learning and memory tests. For example, they had to recognize objects that were familiar or to navigate through a maze, either with new or previously known configurations. The administered cannabis was beneficial only for the older population, causing a drop in performance for the younger mice.
This is what the Research on the Different Age Groups of Mice has Revealed:
- Young mice performed very well on the learning and memory tests, while sober (not under the influence of cannabis)
- Their cognitive performance was negatively influenced by the administration of cannabis (poor performance)
- Older mice had difficulties performing the various tasks presented to them while sober (age-related performance)
- Their cognitive performance increased significantly when they were given cannabis (daily administration)
- Their performance was similar to one of the young mice (while sober)
- The results maintained with the regular administration of a low dose of cannabis.
How does Cannabis influence Cognitive Performance and Brain Health in the older Population?
The administration of cannabis has a positive effect on the overall cognitive performance, this being the result of biochemical pathways being activated (the endocannabinoid system of the brain is stimulated once again after its proper functioning has been affected by the aging process). What is more interesting is the fact is that results are maintained on a long-term basis, with only a low dose of cannabis being necessary.
Shortly, researchers are hoping to repeat the study, using a clinical trial and patient study groups. The main idea behind this study is connected to the close connection of neural pathways and the cannabis receptor site in the brain. When this is activated through the administration of cannabis, the cognitive performance increases (prevention of brain degeneration as a huge advantage to consider).
These are the Benefits that the above-mentioned Research could bring:
- Prevention of age-related brain degeneration and improvement of cognitive performance
- Improving the quality of life for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, associated with cognitive decline and memory loss
- Helping those who have suffered from brain injuries (brain rejuvenation and reversal of degeneration).
A low-dose of cannabis, administered on a daily basis, could change the lives of so many people. This research paves the way for new treatments; the biggest advantage offered to be the rejuvenation of the brain. Once one no longer suffers from cognitive decline and memory loss, he/she can continue being a productive member of society. Moreover, social isolation will no longer be a problem, nor will depression, anxiety or low self-esteem.
Conclusion
Brain health is a complex matter, especially when it comes to the older population. Cannabis could represent the solution to all of the problems associated with the aging process, whether we are talking about cognitive decline, memory loss or learning difficulties. It could help not only those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia but also those who have sustained brain injuries.
From a practical point of view, the treatment of cannabis could be used to reduce the number of patients suffering from cognitive decline. This will automatically translate into fewer healthcare costs, which is a positive change for today’s society. So, you see, there are a lot of benefits when it comes to using cannabis for age-related brain degeneration and brain health in general.
References:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/marijuana-may-boost-rather-than-dull-the-elderly-brain/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170508112400.htm
