People who use cannabis for non-medical reasons may have a lower chance of developing cognitive decline.
That’s according to a study published in Current Alzheimer Research with the National Library of Medicine.
The study, in which researchers sought to determine whether cannabis consumption had an effect on subjective cognitive decline, analyzed data from 4,744 adults aged 45 or older in the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Subjective cognitive decline, also referred to as SCD, was defined as a “self-reported increase in confusion or memory loss in the past year.”
Additionally, the study examined the type, frequency and method of cannabis use.
The use of non-medical cannabis products was “significantly associated” with 96% decreased odds of subjective cognitive decline. People who used medical cannabis or both recreational and medical cannabis also saw decreased odds of developing cognitive decline, though the study’s researchers noted they were not significant.
Zhi Chen, master of public health student and lead author on the study, told Neuroscience News that the different compounds in cannabis, namely CBD and THC, potentially led to the difference of outcomes. Medical cannabis tends to have more CBD than recreational cannabis, which usually carries more of the psychoactive THC compound.
“Based on our findings, we don’t see the CBD in medical cannabis being beneficial for cognitive health,” Wong told Neuroscience News.
Some memory care providers are already using cannabis use in their communities, though as a spot treatment rather than a preventative measure. One example lies with Irvine, California-based memory care operator Silverado, which uses cannabis products in some communities with families’ permission to calm some residents down when they experience agitation or anxiety.
The company uses cannabis in a variety of ways often in lieu of stronger medications like benzodiazepines or for residents who have trouble eating and gaining or maintaining weight.
Kim Butrum, senior vice president of clinical services at Silverado, said the company has seen a “significant” increase in cannabis uses for dementia treatment, and within the past year there has been increased research for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
“There appears to be anecdotal evidence that cannabis may improve memory for some people, but the topic is certainly generating a lot of interest from families and residents alike,” Butrum said. “At Silverado’s annual medical director conference last month, our physicians had a robust conversation about the various uses of cannabis in memory care and they had high hopes that more research would support its expanded use in the future.”
