Researchers argue that cannabis use helps protect against cognitive decline

To what degree does cannabis consumption, frequency of use, and mode of consumption affect cognitive ability?

cannabis
Researchers provide insights into the potential benefit of cannabis use, though long-term studies are needed to verify whether non-medical cannabis use is indeed protecting against cognitive decline.

While non-medical and medical use cannabis is becoming more popular following progressive legalisation across the United States, the need for research concerning the influence of cannabis on the functioning of the brain is a necessity. Researchers from SUNY Upstate Medical University reveal study results that show a significant association between non-medical cannabis consumption and a lowered likelihood of subjective cognitive decline (SCD).

Study data, methods, and cohort

Data was collected from a study cohort of 4,744 middle-aged and older individuals in the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. SCD was self-reported as an 'increase in confusion or memory loss in the past year'.

SCD was the primary outcome of interest for the study with previous research showing that those with SCD have a two times higher risk of contracting dementia, and there’s no clear treatment pathway for prevention.

Three aspects of cannabis use

The study is unique in that it considers three characteristics of cannabis use: type of use (medical or non-medical), regularity of use, and method of use (such as smoking, vaping, eating, or dabbing).

In cannabis culture, "dabbing" refers to the consumption of strong cannabis extracts called "dabs," which consist of concentrated versions of cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. These extracts, which include butane hash oil, shatter, wax, and budder, are made by distilling cannabinoids from cannabis plants with solvents such as butane or carbon dioxide. Dabbing is popular for its swift and potent effects, which provide an instant and intense high.

Study findings, strengths, and limitations

While earlier research has shown negative associations between cannabis consumption and a deterioration in mental acuity, the current study discovered that non-medical cannabis usage (as opposed to non-users) was substantially associated with a 96% lower risk of SCD. Medical and dual (medical and non-medical) consumption were also related to a lower risk of SCD, albeit not significantly. The frequency of cannabis consumption and method were not substantially linked with SCD.

“The main takeaway is that cannabis might be protective for our cognition, but it is really crucial to have longitudinal studies because this is just a snapshot of 2021,” Assistant Professor Roger Wong (of the Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine) explained.

"...The research is hindered since cannabis remains illegal federally." - Prof Wong

Prof Wong added, “We do not know if non-medical cannabis leads to better cognition or the other way around if those with better cognition are more likely to use non-medical cannabis. We need longitudinal studies to see long-term if non-medical cannabis use is protecting our cognition over time. That’s something we don’t know yet, but that research is hindered since cannabis remains illegal federally.”

Prof Wong collaborated with Master of Public Health (MPH) student Zhi Chen on her final thesis in Prof Wong's Advanced Biostatistics course for the MPH program.

Reference of the science news:

Z. Chen and R. Wong. Association Between Cannabis Use and Subjective Cognitive Decline: Findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Current Alzheimer Research. 2024.