According to a recent study, marijuana use is linked to lower odds of subjective cognition decline (SCD). People who use cannabis recreationally or for medical reasons report less confusion and memory problems compared to non users.
The study, which showed that recreational marijuana use is “significantly linked” to lower SCD, is especially noteworthy given that previous research has shown a connection between subjective decline and the development of dementia in later life.
According to the results published in Current Alzheimer Research, this month, THC’s effects on cognitive function are more complex than commonly believed.
The study found that non-medical cannabis users had a 96% lower risk of SCD compared to non-users.
The study also found that people who used marijuana both for medical and recreational reasons, or both for medical and recreational use, had “a decreased risk of SCD but not significant.”
There are a few studies that have shown negative associations between heavy marijuana use and mental performance. The authors of the study from SUNY Upstate in Syracuse cited previous results that linked long-term cannabis use with impaired verbal memory performance, cognitive dysfunction and subjective memory complaints.
They wrote that “the cognitive implications of cannabis aren’t only determined by frequency of consumption,” noting other factors, such as product formulation, method and purpose of use, as well “assembly, administration, and use of cannabis.”
The report states that “Our study addresses knowledge gaps by comprehensively exploring how reason, frequency and method of cannabis consumption are associated with SCD in U.S. adults aged between middle age and older.”
In the survey, respondents were asked if they had experienced memory loss or confusion more frequently or worsened in the last 12 months. They could answer yes, no, not sure/not sure, or refuse to answer the question.
Results were analyzed across three cannabis variables: frequency of use over the past month, ranging from 0 to 30 days; reason for cannabis use, which included non-user, medical, non-medical or both; and the method of cannabis consumption–non-user, smoke, eat, drink, vaporize, dab or other.
The study states that “we found that nonmedical cannabis use is significantly associated with a reduced risk of SCD compared to non-users.” It also notes a few possible explanations.
Researchers analyzed health survey data collected by the Behavioral Risk Factor Survey System (BRFSS) in 2021 to arrive at their findings. They said that the cognitive decline module of the system was restricted to those aged 45 and older who lived in Washington DC, 14 U.S. States (GA, HI. MS, OR. PA. TN. TX. WI. CO. MD. MI. OH. OK. and NY).
According to the study, there were 4,744 valid SCD responses in total.
The authors suggested that cannabis use may be linked to a lower rate of self-reported cognitive degeneration. They also noted that many people use marijuana for insomnia or other sleep problems. A recent study showed that “more frequent sleep disruptions were associated with a higher dementia risk among a U.S. national sample of older adults.”
“Several studies found that cannabis could improve sleep quality, accelerate sleep onset and reduce sleep disorders. The discussion section of this new paper states that non-medical cannabis could have contributed towards the observed reduction in SCD because it may improve sleep quality.
Researchers at SUNY also noted that “many people” use cannabis for stress relief. They added that previous studies “showed that CBD could reduce stress effectively, and that elevated stress levels may be associated with lower cognitive function in older adults.”
The researchers also cited a 2017 study on mice that showed very low doses THC can improve cognitive impairment in older females.
The results of this study are mixed. Some findings, for example, suggest that there is no association between SCD and the method of cannabis consumption. The study states that “SCD is more common in general among cannabis users.” Cannabis smokers had a higher rate of SCD than those who did not smoke cannabis (4.7 %).”).
Some tests showed that there was a statistically significant correlation between cannabis consumption frequency and SCD. The study found that “the average number of days cannabis was consumed by those with SCD (8.68, SD=3.14) were significantly higher than those without SCD (5.44, SD=1.20).
The authors concluded that “although increased frequency of cannabis use and different methods showed positive associations with SCD but these relationships were statistically insignificant.”
SCD is more common among people who use cannabis for both medical and nonmedical purposes, compared with those who only use it for nonmedical ones.
The study is currently in the “article in print” stage. This means that it has already been copyedited, formatted and accepted by the journal. However, there may be further changes made by authors or proofreading before it becomes final.
The authors noted that one of its limitations is the possibility of bias in responses from people who live in states where cannabis use for non-medical purposes remains illegal. It notes that “given that the cannabis usage information was self-reported,” individuals in these states are more likely to misreport, or underreport, their cannabis use.
The study did not examine differences by geographical location. However, some studies have found that cannabis use has increased in the last decade more significantly in states which legalized adult-use pot.
The report states: “Finally all questions in BRFSS cognitive degeneration module are self-reported, including the SCD variables.” Further research is required to determine if our associations are still valid for objective measures of cognition impairment.
The study does not refute previous findings that heavy or frequent cannabis use could have cognitive risks, but rather indicates that more comprehensive research is required.
The authors concluded that “Our findings highlight the importance of taking into account multiple factors such as reasons for cannabis consumption when examining the relation between cannabis and SCD.” Further research is required to investigate the mechanisms that contribute to these associations.
The study is part of a growing body research on marijuana, as more jurisdictions end the prohibition of this drug. A study conducted by the advocacy group NORML late last year found that journal had published over 32,000 scientific articles on marijuana in the past 10 years. This includes upwards of 4,000 papers just this year.
The study found that the effects of medical marijuana on patients’ cognitive functions were minimal.
The authors of the report published in peer-reviewed journal CNS Drugs wrote that “there was no evidence for impaired cognition when comparing baseline scores with post-treatment results.”
The long-term effects from cannabis use are still far from being settled, but recent research suggests that some fears may have been exaggerated.
In a report that was published in April, based on data from dispensaries, it was found, for example, that cancer sufferers reported that they were able to think clearly when using medical cannabis. The patients also reported that it helped them manage their pain.
In a separate study, teens and young adults who were at high risk for developing psychotic disorders discovered that regular cannabis use over a period of two years did not cause early onset psychosis symptoms. This is contrary to claims made by prohibitionists that cannabis causes mental illnesses. It was actually associated with modest improvements to cognitive function and reduced usage of other medications.
The authors of the study concluded that “CHR youths who used cannabis continuously had improved neurocognition, social functioning, and reduced medication use over time compared to non-users.” “Surprisingly clinical symptoms improved over the course of time, despite medication reductions,” wrote the authors.
The American Medical Association (AMA), in a separate study, published in January and examining data from over 63 million health insurers, found that “there is no statistically significant rise” in psychosis diagnoses when comparing states that legalized cannabis to those that continue criminalizing cannabis.
In 2018, studies found that cannabis may increase working memory, and that using marijuana does not actually alter the structure of the mind.
The National Institute of Drug Abuse says that contrary to the claim made by then-President Trump, marijuana causes people to “lose IQ” points. Two longitudinal studies have “not supported a causal link between marijuana use and IQ losses.”
Researchers have found that cannabis users can experience a decline in verbal abilities and general knowledge, but “those who planned to use marijuana in the future already scored lower than those who did not plan to use it in the future.”
NIDA concluded that “this suggests that observed IQ decreases, at the very least throughout adolescence may be caused, not by marijuana use, but by shared familial elements (e.g. genetics, family environments).”
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