A new study of the effect of THC on memory
- Therapeutic cannabis acts differently according to age categories
- THC is most helpful at a later age when it positively affects memory and cognitive functions
Recent studies on mouse subjects have prompted the emergence of many eye catching news headlines, such as "The amount of memory caused by aging can be recovered by treatment hemp".The idea is tempting, especially when we consider how many older people bad memory worsens the quality of life. The older. However THCinstead of unwanted confusion and intoxication quite possibly restoring cognitive functions.
Although the above-mentioned study observed the effect of THC on older and younger mice and compared its effect in both age groups, it was not a classic smoking of cannabis or eating cannabinoid muffins. What about hair studyinfluence on " hemp" in memory?
Hemp and aging
Researchers were already well aware of the three basic facts before the study began. First, younger mice have a better learning ability and better memory than older mice (which is not surprising). Second, if given to younger mice no THC their abilities are generally deteriorating. Third, endocannabinoid system is changing with the gradual aging of the brain, and the number of endocannabinoids in the brain decreases with age.
DoktAndreas Bilkey- or Gorzo, lead author of the study, explains the thought process leading to this project: "From previous experiments we have found that the decline kanabinoid signaling in the brain results in accelerated aging of the brain . Of course, we began to wonder if it could be slowed down or even reversed by stimulating the endocannabinoid system with substances from the outside. "
MindTherefore, the experiment is quite simple - if the decline in endocannabinoid activity causes aging of the brain, what happens if we expose it plant cannabinoids , for example THC?
THC, Memory and Aging
Thus, the study compared behavioral changes of old and young mice. In each age group, those mice given a regular low dose of THC for 28 days and also mice that served as controls (no THC). After 28 days of observation, scientists compared their learning abilities and memory. In this testing, none of the mice had active THC in the system - the purpose of the study was to find out how memory capabilities will be learning influenced after chronic use of THC.
The response of older mice was surprisingly different from that of younger mice. Elderly rodents succeeded in successive tests after 28 day THC exposure. Specifically, you older mice exposed to THC resulted in tests as much as the young ones who had no THC.
Overit was also astonishing that the application of THC in older rodents resulted in a change in the brain hippocampus. Put simply, the brain older mice after long-term exposure to THC resembled that of young mice; scientists measured the much greater interconnection of neurons in their hippocampus.
Lebean hemp and age - the role of Endocannabinoid pystému
Along with growing age, our whole body changes along with our endocannabinoid system. Thus, scientists speculate that improving memory for THC-exposed mice could be due to activation of CB1 receptors that are decreasing in age and which are also responsible for THC cooperation.
General instruction of this studie is that in The bodys THC varies according to the subjects age. The difference in the effect of THC is very likely due to changes in the endocannabinoid system that occur with age.
" The use of exogenous cannabinoids can theoretically serve as a means to slow down the aging of the endocannabinoid system, affecting the entire spectrum of other functions of the human body. "
These studies, among other things, teach us that we should take all the research with a reserve until we know what age group is involved. Of course, studies carried out on animals, which do not always accurately reflect the chemical reaction of a given substance in humans, must also be taken into consideration.
Different Metabolasmus of THC mice and humans
"Chronic serveda, low dose of THC restores cognitive function in older miceif the title of the study we are talking about here is added. Howis the low dose actually in effect?
In the study, mice subjects were specifically served with 3mg THC per kilogram of live weight for 28 consecutive days. For a person weighing about 70 kg, the same dose would total 204mg. If you divide such a dose into a full day, it is based on 8.5mg each hour. The average strength of todays commercial cannabis foods is 10mg THC, so the resulting dose is comparable to applying one edible every hour, throughout the day.
Such dosages for man decideThese are not moderate, however, in mice, as described by Dr. Gonzo-Bilkei, a thing differently: "People are psychoactive effect of THC more susceptible than rodents. In order to Rat subjects have seen some anti-depressive effect or relieving anxiety, it must usually be up to 100 times the human dose. "
THC applied separately
Another reason why we need to take the results of similar studies from the margin is that mice are given THC alone. However, smoking or vaporization of cannabis cannabis is much more complicated, full-blown by cannabis.
Future THC research
In order to be able to draw absolutely accurate and flawless conclusions about the effect of medical cannabis, many parts of the whole puzzle still need to be found. However, finding that cannabinoids act differently depending on the age of the individual is very interesting. We will continue to focus on mapping changes in the endocannabinoid system with the age of people.
Another question is whether or notthe supportive cognitive effect of THC on older mice will also be reflected in older people. In addition, it will be necessary to find out if better isolated THC or full cannabinoid spectrum works in the elderly.
AnsweredDr. Bilkeie-Gorz, who is planning to research THCs effects on elderly people with mild cognitive impairment, is already on the table. The planned study should start at the end of 2017 or at the beginning of 2018.
Budoucresearch cannabis
Obviously, the whole process of examining the various effects of medical cannabis is considerably slowed down by the outdated legislation of many of todays countries. While the US and the legalization of recreational cannabis are the most likely to be heard, the United States is not the best with research into therapeutic effects.
Israel continues to be the driving force behind the study of medicinal cannabis.