Cannabis usage in middle-aged, older adults linked to larger brain volume, better cognitive function

[Elderberry]

Medical Press by Matthew Hastings, CU Anschutz Medical Campus 2/3/2026

Research studying the effects of cannabis on the brain has often focused on adolescents, but a new study from CU Anschutz researchers looks at population-level impacts of cannabis usage on the brain in older adults. The work is published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

"More older adults are using cannabis. It's more widely available and is being used for different reasons than in younger folks—such as for sleep and chronic pain," said Anika Guha, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and faculty research associate in the Department of Psychiatry at CU Anschutz. "Plus, people are living longer. We have to ask, 'What are the long-term effects of cannabis use as we continue to age?'"

The research team found that cannabis usage in older adults was generally associated with larger volumes in several brain regions and better cognitive function in adults ages 40 to 77. Guha said she was surprised by the extent of the positive findings. But she emphasized that cannabis use studies are difficult with often unknown variables, noting the constituents and potency of the cannabis products study subjects used were unknown.

"We're really interested in thinking about both the benefits and risks and understanding this drug in the context of mental health, dementia and more," said Guha. "There's so much more to explore."

In the following Q&A, Guha details the study's findings, the complexities of studying relationships between brain function and cannabis, and why nuanced discussion around studying the drug is critical.
What did you and the team find about the impact cannabis has on brain function for older adults?

The big-picture, overall finding was that greater lifetime cannabis use among middle-aged and older adults (a total of 26,362 participants ages 40 to 77, with an average age of 55) was generally associated with larger brain volumes and better cognitive function.

Specifically, we assessed brain regions that are associated with higher cannabinoid receptor—CB1—density, which we thought would likely be impacted by cannabis use. We also looked at domains of cognitive function that have been associated with cannabis use in the past, including learning and memory, processing speed, attention and executive function.

More: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-qa-cannabis-usage-middle-aged.html#google_vignette

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you!

[Sighlass]

there was a single brain region where we saw that higher cannabis use was actually associated with lower brain volume—the posterior cingulate, which is part of the limbic system and is implicated in processes like memory, learning, and emotion.

So it is good for you (according to this small group study)... except for things that a brain is actually used for.

[rustynail]

Drugs are bad.

[Free Vulcan]

I call <cough> bullsh** <cough>

[Elderberry]

And don't forget mushrooms.

Psilocybin, the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms, may have both anti-aging as well as mental health benefits.

https://news.emory.edu/stories/2025/07/hs_psilocybin_aging_study_10-07-2025/story.html

While traditionally researched for its mental health benefits, this study suggests that psilocybin impacts multiple hallmarks of aging by reducing oxidative stress, improving DNA repair responses, and preserving telomere length. Telomeres are the structured ends of a chromosome, protecting it from damage that could lead to the formation of age-related diseases, such as cancer, neurodegeneration or cardiovascular disease. These foundational processes influence human aging and the onset of these chronic diseases.

The study concludes that psilocybin may have the potential to revolutionize anti-aging therapies and could be an impactful intervention in an aging population.

“Most cells in the body express serotonin receptors, and this study opens a new frontier for how psilocybin could influence systemic aging processes, particularly when administered later in life,” says Louise Hecker, PhD, senior author on the study, and former associate professor at Emory, where the research was initiated and funded.

[Wingnut]

Did corbe ghost write this article?

[libertybele]

Did corbe ghost write this article?

I have to laugh -- first thing I thought is @corbe must be doing very well!!   

[libertybele]

It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you! It's good for you! It's bad for you!

Well, the little research that I have done indicates that cannabis is good for you.  I have read several articles that cannabis has cured people with cancer.  Certain strains of cannabis is useful in treating various ailments.  It is my belief that positive scientific proof and information about cannabis has been buried because Big Pharma makes a ton of $$$ by making drugs that have side effects that takes another drug to adjust to the side effects.  I have seen that scenario play out time and time again and have experienced that myself.

[Smokin Joe]

I call <cough> bullsh** <cough>