The drug can boost memory in over-60s as a substance in it called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) improves brain function
BOFFINS have discovered that cannabis could help protect pensioners against dementia thanks to its psychoactive chemicals.
The drug can boost memory in over-60s as a substance in it called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) improves brain function.
It’s not the first time the drug has been linked to health benefits.
We told last week how mum Marianne Dickson, from Edinburgh, uses cannabidiol (CBD) — an extract from cannabis — to treat her chronic spinal condition as well as her dog Honey’s anxiety.
She said: “People need to understand there are different components in cannabis and each on their own can have different effects.
“This study is showing THC can help improve brain function while cannabidiol, which I use, helps with pain.”
While cannabis itself is still illegal, products containing CBD — which has no psychoactive components — can be classified as medicines by the Government.
And CBD is not covered by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 or the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 — meaning that, on its own, it is not illegal.
Marianne, 43, who suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis, said: “Two different GPs have told me that the medication I am on just now, which is very strong, will ruin my insides in 20 years.
“I can’t believe that CBD has never been illegal but no one is being prescribed it or told about it. Yet what doctors are prescribing me could kill me in 20 years.”
But Peter Reynolds, of Clear, which campaigns to legalise the drug, thinks people will have a while to wait before the UK follows in the footsteps of the 29 states in America which have legalised medical marijuana.
He said: “There is a big leap between a study in a lab and a medicine which can be given to people.
“We very much support this new research but many discoveries never make it through to treatment on humans. There is a long way to go yet.”
Peter explained how the campaign group has learned that pensioners across the UK use cannabis. He said: “We know tens of thousands of people over 60 are using cannabis because it helps with the aches and pains of getting older.
“Older people typically don’t suffer from the negative effects cannabis can cause because it’s younger people who are vulnerable to those.
“The only real potential danger of cannabis is to the developing brain — when it is still growing. But once you are past around 25, your brain has stopped growing.”
Peter added: “What is most frustrating is that the Government has a completely negative attitude to cannabis despite the vast amount of evidence that is coming out.
“We recently put in a number of Freedom of Information requests to the Department of Health asking them if they requested any expert advice or had considered any reports on medical cannabis — and the answer was no.
“There are believed to be around a million people in the UK who are already using it for medical purposes. But the Government seems to want to keep them all criminals rather than do something to improve their health.”
Dr David Reynolds, Chief Scientific Officer at Alzheimer’s Research UK, insisted more tests are essential.
He said: “The majority of studies of cannabis and THC have focused on younger people and have found harmful side effects such as psychosis and problems with memory and thinking.
“However, future studies will need to carefully consider the doses and treatment duration when using THC — and look at whether any potential benefits outweigh the health risks in older people.”
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