What impact can cannabidiol (CBD) have on cognitive function and memory? This is what a recent study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience hopes to address as a team of researchers from Canada investigated how CBD influences age-related cognitive decline. This study has the potential to help scientists, medical professionals, legislators, and the public better understand the benefits of CBD on age-related illnesses, as no medications exist to combat these conditions.
For the study, the researchers conducted laboratory experiments on 14-month-old mice to ascertain the impacts of CBD on memory impairment and cognitive function. The mice were given oral CBD for seven months followed by behavioral and cognitive testing between five and seven months later. For context, seven mice months is equivalent to 10-20 human years. In the end, the researchers found that CBD improves cognitive function while reducing age-related cognitive decline.
The study notes, “Brain regions and associated functions are mediated by structures in the medial temporal lobe that are typically compromised in age-related cognitive decline, and inflammatory responses in some of these brain regions were also reduced. Importantly, evidence was also observed suggesting that long-term CBD treatments do not have negative impacts on these same functions and brain regions, nor do they cause negative side effects in aged mice subjects.”
This study comes as the number of individuals worldwide who suffer from age-related cognitive declines like dementia or other cognitive impairments continue to rise, with estimates at approximately 55 million people globally suffer from some form of cognitive decline. This number is estimated to double by 2030 and potentially reach 139 million by 2050. Therefore, studies like this can help researchers and medical professionals develop new treatments for cognitive decline while having limited side effects.
What new connections between CDB and cognitive function will researchers make in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!
As always, keep doing science & keep looking up!
Sources: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Marijuana Moment, Columbia University
