New research on a large data set of older adults suggests cannabis use may be linked to slower brain ageing and improved cognitive function.
The study, which used data collected from 25,000 adults aged between 44 and 81 years, found that those who had consumed cannabis had brain characteristics “typically associated with younger brains”, as well as demonstrating “enhanced cognitive abilities.”
The findings, which are currently only available in a preprint and have not yet been peer-reviewed, have been published in Research Square.
Researchers analysed neuroimaging and behavioural data collected through the UK Biobank, in order to study the relationships between cannabis use, ageing and cognitive function. Lifetime cannabis use was defined as at least one time, with “light users” being up to 10 times and “heavy users” more than 10 times.
Specifically, they focused on how these factors affect brain functional network connectivity (FNC) – how the regions of the brain communicate with each other – and underlying neuroimaging patterns.
According to the findings both the ageing process and cannabis affect the same brain networks, but in opposite ways.
The authors state: “Our findings reveal that cannabis usage and healthy aging are associated with overlapping brain network configurations, particularly within the FNC between subcortical and sensorimotor regions, as well as between subcortical and cerebellar areas, albeit with significantly reversed effects.”
Individuals who used cannabis showed brain connectivity patterns, especially in regions involved in movement, coordination and sensory processing, that were more typical of “younger brains”. They also performed better on tests related to cognitive functioning, including problem solving, planning skills, memory, intelligence, and vocabulary.
These effects were evident across different age groups, from middle age (45–55 years) to those aged 66 and over.
The ECS, cannabis and brain ageing
While the results do not definitely prove that cannabis use improves cognitive function, they add to a growing evidence base suggesting that certain cannabinoids may influence how the brain ages and have “neuroprotective effects”.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a vital role in regulating inflammation, ageing, and neural health. The researchers note that the areas of the brain where connectivity was higher were rich in cannabinoid receptors, suggesting cannabis might support these pathways, helping maintain brain communication and reducing inflammation.
“Cannabis users exhibited superior performance across multiple cognitive domains, and interestingly, the effects of cannabis and cognition are presented concurrently across a range of brain systems,” the authors said.
“These findings suggest that cannabis use may be associated with a deceleration of neural aging processes and the preservation of cognitive function in older adults.”
Cannabinoids are currently being trialled in the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, with previous studies have suggesting that THC in particular may have anti-ageing and cognition enhancing and anti-ageing effects.
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