"Cannabis Use and Cognitive Decline: Exploring the Protective Benefits"

A study by researchers at SUNY Upstate Medical University found that non-medical cannabis use is associated with a significantly lower risk of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in adults 45 and older, with non-users having a 96% higher odds of reporting SCD. The study, published in Current Alzheimer Research, examined data from over 4,700 middle-aged and older adults and suggested potential mechanisms such as the role of THC and CBD in improving sleep and lowering stress. However, the researchers caution that these results are preliminary and more longitudinal studies are needed to understand the complex relationship between cannabis and cognition as we age. While the study adds an intriguing dimension to the conversation around cannabis and cognition in older adults, experts recommend focusing on evidence-based habits for brain-healthy living, as the long-term effects of non-medical cannabis use on cognition are still unknown.