According to data published in the journal Drug & Alcohol Review, older adults who have consumed cannabis for a long time for chronic pain have shown no difference in cognitive performance as compared to non-users.

As part of a study, Israeli researchers assessed the cognitive capabilities of 63 long-term medical cannabis consumers versus 62 non-using controls. Participants in the study all suffered from chronic pain and averaged 61 years of age.

Cognitive tests used in the study assessed participants’ memory recall, reaction time, and ability to learn new information, among other performance measures.

The researchers found that “no significant differences in cognitive function” between the two groups.

They wrote: “In this sample of individuals with neuropathic pain, no significant differences were found in cognitive performance between non-MC [medical cannabis] licensed and licensed patients, and evidence for lack of an association was stable and moderate. In addition, no significant associations of various aspects of MC use patterns, including THC/CBD concentration, frequency and length of use, dosage and length of abstinence with cognitive performance were detected. Moreover, both MC licensed and non-licensed patients performed relatively similar to a standardized population with no chronic pain.”

The authors concluded: “More accepting public attitudes and policies related to cannabis use, in addition to increasing life expectancy, are expected to result in increasing numbers of middle- and old-aged individuals who use cannabis for long periods. Considering the accumulating evidence showing efficacy of cannabis use for multiple health conditions common in older individuals, the lack of adverse effects on the brain in the current sample of individuals with chronic pain who were older than 50 years can contribute to a better risk–benefit assessment of MC treatment in this population.”

NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said about the results: “With greater percentages of seniors both turning to, and returning to, the use of cannabis, it is important that scientists begin to focus greater attention this unique and frequently overlooked group of consumers. We already know that many seniors suffer from ailments that may be effectively treated with cannabis, and this emerging data suggests that they can do so in a manner that poses little if any risk to their cognitive well-being.”


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