New research has found that administering THC may be effective in preventing brain aging in the long-term. THC is one of the two primary components found in marijuana; the other is CBD. Researchers determined that administering low doses of delta-9 THC over a long period of time had an anti-aging effect on the brain as it restored synapse densities and cognitive abilities.
For their study, the researchers used young and old male mice, aged between 4 to 18 months old. The mice received either a placebo or THC for about a month, with researchers measuring their brain function and protein levels linked to aging, memory and metabolism. mTOR was one of the proteins the researchers analyzed. This protein influences a range of aging-related cell functions, including metabolism and growth, while also influencing cognitive performance.
The researchers observed that THC was linked to more mTOR activity in the brains of older mice, adding that protein levels to help repair and form synapses also increased. The older mice that received this marijuana component also experienced an increase in metabolic activity in the hippocampus, which is associated with memory and learning. In addition, older mice also demonstrated a reduction in mTOR activity in fat tissue and increases in substances such as fatty acids that helped fight aging.
In their report, the researchers explained that initially, THC treatment administered over the long-term had a cognition-enhancing effect by increasing production of synaptic proteins as well as energy in the brain. They added that this was followed by a reduction in metabolic processes and mTOR activity, which induced the anti-aging effect.
The researchers also observed that the age of the mice seemingly regulated THC’s effects, noting that the effect was significantly different between old and young mice.
These findings are consistent with a prior study conducted in 2017 whose findings demonstrated the age-dependent effects of THC on the function of the brain. Researchers explained that their findings suggested that delta-9 THC induced bidirectional changes in the brain, which could play a huge role in preventing brain aging.
In their report, the researchers highlight various areas that further studies need to focus on, such as examining differences in duration of administration and dosage. Weighing potential anti-aging effects of THC against other harmful effects of long-term use and replicating these findings in humans are other areas of further study.
The study’s findings were published in the “Pharmacology and Translational Science” journal. The findings of this study could provide additional credence to the medicinal or wellness benefits of products from various licensed companies such as Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON), with more benefits yet to be documented.
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