Researchers from the University of Bonn, Germany, along with help from researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, conducted a study to look at the effects of THC on mice. The results from their study suggest that a daily dose of cannabis extract might play a big part in possibly helping to slow or reverse cognitive decline in old age.
The study has been published in the journal Nature Medicine.
For their study, they used mice of different ages: 2 months old, 1 year old, and 18 months old. They gave those mice a daily dose of THC for a period of four weeks.
After they received their dose, the mice were tested on things like their orientation skills and recognition; how quickly they were able to solve a water maze, as well as their ability to quickly recognize objects they should be familiar with.
The young mice, without the drug, were able to do really well for these tests.
But the same cannot be said for the older mice, without the drug they didn't perform so well. The researchers say that they saw a dramatic effect with both groups after they had administered the THC.
For the younger mice, they performed worse while on THC, but the older mice improved.
The scores of the older mice improved so much that they actually were on par with the younger mice who performed the tasks THC-free. They also say that they saw the benefits last for several weeks past the initial administration of the THC.
The researchers also say that they gave a small amount of THC so that there was no intoxicating effect to the mice. When they examined the brain tissue, they found that the molecular signature had changed for the older mice and it had shown similarities to that of the younger ones.
The researchers involved with the study say that the results suggest that there can be profound and long-lasting improvement in the way of cognitive performance, when it comes to taking low doses of THC later in life.
They credit the THC as being responsible for restoring gene expression in the older mice to more youthful levels.
The team who conducted the study are still looking to investigate further and they are interested in seeing if THC can provide the same results when it comes to humans. They suggest that perhaps one day THC might even be used to treat health issues like dementia.
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All material on this post is provided for information purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction, diagnosis, or treatment. If an individual has a medical concern, no action or inaction should be taken based on the information provided in this post. He or she should always consult with their own appropriately-licensed physician or other health care specialist.
Sources:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170508112400.htm
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/may/08/daily-dose-of-cannabis-extract-could-reverse-brains-decline-in-old-age-study-suggests-thc
http://metro.co.uk/2017/05/09/weed-could-stop-the-memory-loss-caused-by-old-age-study-finds-6625204/
Starting to get older so this sounds like an obvious decision to me :D
Can't wait once I retire and this hopefully is legal to just play online games and troll kids. ^^
hahaha!
Cannabis has so many benefits that it's sad it is still illegal and compared to the worse drugs like heroine.
I Love reading this type of research - Keep it rolling
Yes, it has such great (potential?) benefits we seem to be discovering more and more.
Its a shame our government will lock you away for enjoying something mother nature freely provides.
It's a greater shame that people and allow and accept such...
This does not surprise me!!! Good Read, thanks!
@doitvoluntarily. Sounds good to me. Steem On Friend
Nice, good read. I knew I was getting smarter.
Likewise
Very informative post, its great to finally see medical marijuana gaining some real traction in the medical field!
I have Shared this post on Marijanbes Diary The Steem Powered Marijuana Facebook Page.
LOL!!!
nice post. well info. good work.
In Ukraine, the daily dose of cannabis involves deprivation of liberty)))
It proves again: everything created by God is profitable! The only important dose!
It is such an interesting plant. Cannabis has so many benefits that it's sad it is still illegal and compared to the worse drugs like heroine. The medicinal side makes it an important drug because it helps so many people.
Once again a very informative post. Probably cannabis will be legalized after Big Pharma figures out how to monopolize it. That way they can make more money using it to undo the damage they have done to society by putting fluoride in the water supply. https://steemit.com/drugs/@marymg2014/fluoride-the-damaging-neurotoxin-that-is-deliberately-put-in-drinking-water
.... and the reason as we know that it has been outlawed for so long by the governments is clearly because they wanted all the profits and control of it, for themselves.
As has been proven time and again by them getting INTO THE BUSINESS of said plant.
Keep your good work up, you are one of the bright lights here with your work my friend!!!
Solid research on this one @doitvoluntarily.
I think cannabis is the best anti-aging elixir on the planet. Reducing inflammation and repairing cell damage, slows decline.
Yes it is...and still waiting in vain hope for it to be legalised for use against pain in Ireland.