Tetrahydrocannabinol THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis, has been shown to reverse common signs of brain aging in mice, a discovery that could help researchers find ways to keep their brains healthier and sharper as they age.
This new research is already known The endocannabinoid system Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) in the brain link The gradual decline in cognitive function that occurs with age.
Moreover, the German-Israeli team was able to observe how the anti-aging effects take place. mTOR protein,this is Related Healthy regulation of cellular metabolism, which in turn forms the metabolome (the overall composition of small molecules in the body).
“We were able to demonstrate that treatment with THC has tissue-dependent and dual effects on mTOR signaling and the metabolome.” say Andras Bilkei-Gorzo, a molecular biologist at the University of Bonn in Germany.
Some of the same researchers previously found that low doses of cannabis could improve memory and learning in aged mice, suggesting there may be a relationship between THC and cognition worth exploring.
The study used two groups of mice: young mice, about 4 months old, and older mice, about 18 months old. A portion of the mice in each age group were given low doses of THC every day for 28 days, and the effects were compared to an age-matched control group.
Mice given THC had increased mTOR activity in their brains and increased production of a protein necessary for formation. New Synapses The connections between neurons help power nearly every aspect of brain function.
Moreover, mTOR activity in fat tissue was reduced in the same way as with a calorie-restricted diet. In other words, the body begins to slow down some of its production processes in a way that has previously been shown to slow biological aging.
“We conclude that chronic THC treatment has a cognitive enhancing effect by increasing the production of energy and synaptic proteins in the brain, and subsequently has an anti-aging effect by decreasing mTOR activity and metabolic processes in the periphery.” say Bilkei Gorzo.
These could be some very exciting findings when it comes to protecting brain health in older age: previous studies have shown that THC may play a role in delaying the onset of dementia, and the drug clearly affects the brain in some pretty fundamental ways.
While all of this has yet to be observed in humans, and it’s worth remembering that cannabis has been linked to harming the brain as well as helping it, if we could harness these mechanisms in a healthy way, we could hope to significantly boost brain health.
“Our study suggests that the dual effects on mTOR activity and the metabolome may be the basis for effective anti-aging and cognitive enhancing drugs.” say Bilkei Gorzo.
This study ACS Pharmacology and Translational Sciences.
