Forget the stereotypes of ‘stoners’ as new research out of Hebrew University claims a daily dose could protect the brain…
The research, which was carried out in conjunction with scientists from the University of Bonn, discovered that low and regular daily doses of cannabis could help the human brain from deteriorating with age. The Nature Medicine Journal revealed that, at least in mice, the use of cannabis for the brain was successful and could be transferred to a human model in the future.
For the study, researchers put mice that were two months, one year, and 18 months old on a daily regimen of cannabis over a month. It was observed, as with humans, that the cannabis was more effective in the older mice than the younger ones, and that it increased their cognitive abilities under lab conditions.
Scientists believe that the benefits for older mice come due to the brain’s endocannabinoid system, present in animals and humans. As the study noted, “Together, these results reveal a profound, long-lasting improvement of cognitive performance resulting from a low dose of THC treatment in mature and old animals.”
A clinical trial is set for the end of 2017, which this time will focus on a human model to ascertain if the findings in mice ring true also for people. As one of the authors of the study told British reporters, “If we can rejuvenate the brain so that everybody gets five to 10 more years without needing extra care then that is more than we could have imagined.”
It remains to be seen whether or not the research applies to humans as it does in mice, but it appears to be good news for those with early dementia or other brain related issues.