The Surprising Benefits of Cannabis: New Study Shows Lower Rates of Cognitive Decline
According to a recent study from researchers at SUNY, cannabis use may actually have a positive impact on cognitive decline. That’s right, the plant that has long been associated with stoner culture and lazy days may actually be helping people maintain their mental sharpness.
The study, published in the journal Current Alzheimer Research, found that both recreational and medicinal cannabis use were associated with lower rates of subjective cognitive decline (SCD). This means that those who use marijuana for either recreational or medical purposes reported less confusion and memory loss compared to non-users.
The researchers analyzed data from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and found that non-medical cannabis use was significantly associated with a 96% decrease in the odds of SCD. This is a significant finding that challenges the stereotype of cannabis users as forgetful and unmotivated.
But the study also acknowledges that the cognitive effects of cannabis are not solely determined by frequency of use. Factors such as the type of product used, method of consumption, and reason for use can also play a role in how cannabis affects cognitive function.
To conduct the study, researchers at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York analyzed data from respondents aged 45 and older in Washington DC and 14 US states. The total sample included 4,744 observations with valid SCD responses.
The survey asked respondents if they had experienced confusion or memory loss in the past 12 months, and the researchers analyzed the data based on three cannabis variables: frequency of use, reason for use, and method of consumption.
While past studies have linked heavy cannabis use to cognitive decline, this study shows that the frequency and method of use may not be the only factors at play. This is an important finding that challenges previous assumptions about the effects of cannabis on the brain.
So next time someone tries to tell you that cannabis makes you forgetful, you can confidently tell them about this groundbreaking study that proves otherwise. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll see cannabis being used as a treatment for cognitive decline. Only time will tell.
