As surprising as it sounds, recent research suggests that marijuana could help reverse brain aging in senior citizens, especially those inflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that low doses of THC, one of the compounds found in marijuana, administered to a group of middle aged mice over a period of 18 months, enhanced their cognitive performance. They performed as well as the younger mice, and the effect actually lasted weeks after being administered.
The positive results are thought to arise from the effect that THC has on the endocannabinoid system, which according to the article is, “a network of physiological receptors that helps regulates processes like our appetite and memory. But this system declines as we age.”
It is important to keep in mind that these studies were done on mice, but the research is intriguing and more studies are needed. If the discovery translates to humans, this could be a very significant tool in treating cognitive decline in the elderly and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.