Researchers from Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, have conducted a study suggesting that recreational cannabis use may have a protective effect against cognitive decline in older adults. Analyzing data from the CDC’s 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the researchers found that recreational cannabis users over the age of 45 had a significantly lower risk of experiencing subjective cognitive decline (SCD) compared to non-users.
The study, led by MPH student Zhi Chen and Professor Roger Wong, focused on different aspects of cannabis use, including type, frequency, and method of consumption. Surprisingly, the researchers found that non-medical cannabis use for recreational purposes was associated with a 96% decrease in the odds of SCD. This finding challenges previous studies that showed a negative association between cannabis use and cognitive decline, particularly in younger individuals.
Despite the intriguing results, the authors of the study emphasize the need for longitudinal research to fully understand the long-term effects of recreational cannabis use on cognitive health. While medical and dual (medical and non-medical) use of cannabis also showed some association with decreased odds of SCD, the differences were not statistically significant.
SCD is an important indicator as individuals with SCD are at a higher risk of developing dementia, a condition with no current cure or definitive prevention methods. The study’s focus on middle-aged and older adults sets it apart from previous research and highlights the need for more comprehensive studies on the impact of cannabis use on cognition.
The study’s limitations include the inability to account for state-by-state cannabis regulations, potentially leading to selection bias in the sample population. Despite these limitations, the use of a national dataset increases the generalizability of the findings and provides valuable insights into the potential protective effects of cannabis on cognitive health.
While the study sheds light on the possible benefits of recreational cannabis use in older adults, the researchers stress the importance of continued research to understand the mechanisms behind these associations. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether non-medical cannabis use truly protects cognition over time, especially in the face of federal regulations that hinder comprehensive research on the topic.