The recent legalization of Marijuana use both medically and recreationally in many states has led to the increase in interest for using weed to treat a variety of health conditions that are long term including its symptoms among older adults which are also new users by the way. In this article, we will show you some related information about Cannabis use and Older adults.

The number of adults 65 years and older who have reported marijuana use has jumped up from 2.4% to 4.2% from 2015 to 2018 according to a recent study that was published in a journal for internal medicine.

Researchers from NYU School of Medicine have studied the data collected from a National Survey for Drug Use and Health in 2015 to 2018, a non-institutionalized group of individuals, and identified the classifications among the older generations who have had an increase in their marijuana use. This includes all demographics on that age level including, ethnic and racial minorities, women and high-income family adults and people who are being treated with mental health and diabetes.

The increase dramatically of using Cannabis overall has tickled the fancy of researchers to review and study the trending use among older adults, although they are not associated with higher levels of drug use.

Cannabis Use and Older Adults Benefits

Cannabis was given the wrong stigma for so long that the new laws are not only allowing it but also making it readily available for medical use and made many people interested to know if there is something in marijuana for them that could be used to improve their overall well being.

It should also be noted that there is indeed a growing cannabis use among older adults. Benefits can indeed be reaped from marijuana use for sure, however, potential side effects may happen especially if the person has underlying conditions, to begin with. It is always best to have a chat with a healthcare professional before taking marijuana.

Cannabis Use and Cognitive Function in Older Adults

There was a study done earlier that went viral in many social media outlets. This story was a research made to study the effects of marijuana use specifically THC, the active ingredient in it on the ageing of mice. It is known that the psychoactive effects of THC deliver cognitive impairment but are found to have promising effects on the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is responsible for learning and memory.

The testing did not end with mice that are ageing, but they also tested this along with the young and mature aged mix. The young mice showed signs of cognitive impairment and became stoned. However, the older ones showed some signs of benefits with being exposed to it like developing more synaptic spines, resulting in an increase in neuron communications – Overall helping brain cells work more efficiently.