Medical cannabis can, in some cases, be prescribed, and CBD products are sold openly.
At the same time, international data show that use among middle-aged and older adults has increased, prompting researchers to raise new questions.
A different kind of study
Researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz analyzed data from the UK Biobank, which contains health information on British citizens.
The study included individuals aged 40 to 70 and focused on the relationship between lifetime cannabis use, brain size, and cognitive ability.
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According to Medical Xpress, the study differs from previous research, which has often centered on younger users.
Instead, it looks at an age group in which cannabis is typically used for other reasons, including sleep problems and chronic pain.
What did the researchers find?
The results showed that a certain level of cannabis use over a lifetime was associated with larger brain volume and better cognitive performance.
However, the study’s lead author, Anika Guha, PhD, emphasized that the findings should not be interpreted as encouragement to increase use.
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“But it's more complicated than that. I think it depends on how people are using it and what outcomes you're looking at”, she explained to Medical Xpress.
Findings with caveats
The study is based on observational data and therefore cannot determine whether cannabis directly improves brain function.
In addition, information on use is based on participants’ self-reported responses.
According to WebMD, there are well-documented short-term effects on the body, but the long-term consequences remain uncertain.
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Sources: Ladbible, Medical Xpress, and WebMD.
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