Studies abound all the time on the effects of marijuana on the brain. While we know the obvious and temporary effects; the slowing of functionality and that ubiquitous "high", the varying schools-of-thought are forever contradicting over the long-term effects of the drug.
Medically speaking, it has been endorsed by multiple sources as a powerful alternative to prescription medication in areas such as pain, anxiety, and epilepsy. And this extends into the area of memory, or more specifically memory-loss. This is probably not the first time you have heard about cannabis and mental integrity in the elderly; Alzheimer's is frequently mentioned. Studies have been happening for years on cannabis and its properties, but when studies deliver surprisingly positive results, it reiterates the potentials of this drug.
Such is the case with a recent finding on the effects of cannabis and memory, using some elderly mice.
A Unique Cannabis Compound - What Happened?
A team at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, led by professor Andreas Zimmerman — a professor at the Institute of Molecular Psychiatry at the University of Bonn, performed an interesting study using "old mice" and a unique cannabis compound. The mice received low doses of a THC compound found in marijuana, and the results described the mice as having "young" brains as a result of this treatment:
"We treated old mice with a low dose of the active ingredient in cannabis. Learning and memory functions improved dramatically in these animals, and they performed as well as mice that were much, much younger."
These mice were all aged between 12 and 18 months - which is old for mice. They were implanted with tiny pumps under the skin and these pumps constantly administered the unique cannabis compound. This continued for four weeks after which the administering was halted and a week waited. Then the mice were tested on learning and memory. The memory test included the mice learning how to find a hidden platform and then remembering where that platform was.
The results were exciting and surprising as Andreas states: "their working memory was absolutely indistinguishable. Then we tested the animals in many different paradigms that also test memory function, and we basically couldn't distinguish [between] the old mice and young mice."
Why the Results? Well, Here Comes the Science Part
The key here it seems, is age. And here's why: the effects of cannabis on a younger brain is different to the effect it has on an older brain. The reason comes down to some wonderful biology and a chemical called endocannabinoid. Endocannabinoids are like the body’s natural THC. And the system that they form is found throughout our entire body. This system helps to regulate so much of our everyday existence; sleep, mood, pleasure, immune function etc.
But as with many things, endocannabinoid levels decline as we age. The result of this is a lack of endogenous substances in older individuals and the overall effect we see is a slowing of day-to-day bodily functions ranging from sleep to motor control, to memory.
As endocannabinoid is present in our bodies to begin with, what Zimmerman's plant compound does is simply normalize the level of endocannabinoid, or bring it back to the level of young individuals and if the mice are to be trusted, it seems like his compound works!
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Conclusion
This is early days, though it's not the first time a connection has been made between brain diseases like Alzheimers and marijuana. Currently, Alzheimer's affects more than 5.7 million Americans and 1 in 3 seniors die from it or other related dementia.
There will always be negative side-effects to any drug. The key to utilizing a drug for its positives lies in the complete understanding of its capabilities. The only way we can arrest the potentials is by pushing the boundaries of study.
Featured Image: depositphotos.com/Gorodenkoff
