CBD ‘Improves Cognitive Decline Associated With Aging,’ Study Shows
Cannabidiol (CBD), the non-intoxicating compound in cannabis, may help protect the brain from age-related decline, according to a new government-funded study. Researchers at the University of Lethbridge and McGill University found that long-term CBD treatment improved memory, motor control, and coordination in aging mice—effects tied to reduced brain inflammation.
The study, supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting cannabis compounds may play a role in maintaining cognitive function later in life.
CBD’s Effects on Brain Function
For the experiment, scientists administered daily doses of CBD to 10 aging mice over seven months, while nine others received a placebo. The animals then underwent a series of behavioral tests designed to measure different aspects of cognition and motor performance.
Mice treated with CBD showed improvements in memory tasks, including “novel object recognition,” which evaluates the ability to recall and differentiate visual stimuli, and spatial learning assessments tied to the hippocampus—a brain region central to memory and learning.
“CBD treatment has a positive impact on object memory processes mediated by the perirhinal cortex and spatial memory functions centered on the hippocampus,” the study reported.
Reducing Brain Inflammation
Post-experiment analysis revealed reduced inflammation in key brain regions among CBD-treated mice. The hippocampus, which often exhibits inflammation in age-related dementia and other cognitive disorders, appeared notably less affected.
“CBD reduces inflammatory response in the brain and improves cognitive decline associated with aging,” the authors wrote. They added that oral CBD treatments could help restore impaired memory processes linked to the aging brain.
Interestingly, the study noted that combining CBD with other cannabis compounds like THC and terpenoids might further enhance these protective effects—a concept consistent with the so-called “entourage effect,” where cannabinoids and plant compounds work together synergistically.
Context Within Broader Cannabis Research
The findings come as researchers increasingly challenge the long-standing assumption that cannabis use harms cognition. Several recent studies have pointed in the opposite direction:
A federally funded study found cannabis users performed better across multiple cognitive domains, suggesting benefits across several brain systems.
A 2024 study linked marijuana use to lower odds of subjective cognitive decline, with consumers reporting less confusion and memory loss compared to non-users.
In 2023, researchers observed that prescribed medical cannabis had minimal short-term impact on cognitive function among patients with chronic health conditions.
Other studies have even found cannabis may improve working memory and does not appear to alter brain structure.
Additionally, evidence suggests cannabis use is not associated with higher rates of psychosis in legalized states. A large study by the American Medical Association examining 63 million health insurance records found no increase in psychosis-related diagnoses in states that allow legal cannabis compared to prohibition states.
Potential Implications
While the new study was conducted in mice, its findings highlight CBD’s potential as a therapeutic agent for age-related cognitive decline, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The authors caution that further research, including human clinical trials, will be needed to confirm its applicability.
Still, the results add to a growing scientific narrative that cannabis compounds—once widely dismissed as harmful could play a role in supporting brain health.
As populations age worldwide and the prevalence of cognitive disorders grows, CBD may represent a promising tool in the search for safe and effective therapies to preserve memory and mental function.
