Credit: SciTechDaily.comA study by Upstate Medical University suggests leisure marijuana might reduce the risk of cognitive decline, challenging earlier research study and highlighting the requirement for longitudinal analysis.A brand-new study by Upstate Medical University researchers shows that leisure cannabis use may offer security against cognitive decline.The research study, done by Master of Public Health (MPH) trainee Zhi Chen and Professor Roger Wong, Ph.D., MPH, MSW, analyzed a big data set from the CDC and found that compared to non-users, non-medical cannabis use, such as for recreational purposes, was considerably associated with 96 percent decreased odds of subjective cognitive decrease (SCD). Marijuana usage frequency and method were likewise not substantially associated with SCD.Contrasting Previous Research and Exploring New InsightsSCD is an important outcome of interest as previous research reveals individuals with SCD have a 2 times greater risk for dementia, which presently has no remedy or definitive prevention approaches.Wong stated that previous research studies have found negative associations in between cannabis use and cognitive decline, so the outcomes were unexpected, though he is fast to point out the research study had numerous restrictions and that these results are simply a snapshot of one year. Chances of SCD by marijuana usage reason, technique, and frequency were analyzed after imputing missing information, applying tasting weights, and changing for sociodemographic, health, and substance use factors.The study varies from previous research study in that it focuses on middle-aged and older adults, and it distinctively considers the three facets of cannabis use: type of use (medical or non-medical), frequency of usage, and mode of usage (cigarette smoking, vaping, consuming or dabbing).” The authors did note some constraints with the study, consisting of the failure to think about state-by-state cannabis guidelines; therefore, potential choice predisposition could emerge if the population of specific states is either over or underrepresented due to differing steps of cannabis use.Strengths of the study consist of using a nationwide data set, which increases the generalizability of the findings.
Scientists have actually discovered that recreational cannabis usage might safeguard against cognitive decline, with a study revealing non-medical users had considerably lower odds of experiencing subjective cognitive decline. Credit: SciTechDaily.comA study by Upstate Medical University recommends leisure marijuana may minimize the threat of cognitive decrease, challenging earlier research and highlighting the requirement for longitudinal analysis.A brand-new study by Upstate Medical University scientists reveals that leisure marijuana usage may offer defense versus cognitive decline.The study, done by Master of Public Health (MPH) trainee Zhi Chen and Professor Roger Wong, Ph.D., MPH, MSW, examined a large information set from the CDC and discovered that compared to non-users, non-medical marijuana use, such as for recreational purposes, was considerably related to 96 percent decreased odds of subjective cognitive decrease (SCD). Medical and double (medical and non-medical) use were also related to reduced odds of SCD, although not significant. Cannabis consumption frequency and method were likewise not considerably related to SCD.Contrasting Previous Research and Exploring New InsightsSCD is an important result of interest as prior research reveals individuals with SCD have a 2 times higher risk for dementia, which presently has no remedy or definitive avoidance approaches.Wong said that previous studies have found negative associations in between cannabis usage and cognitive decline, so the results were unexpected, though he is quick to explain the research study had several restrictions which these results are simply a picture of one year.” The main takeaway is that cannabis may be protective for our cognition, however it is truly crucial to have longitudinal studies since this is just a snapshot of 2021,” stated Wong, assistant teacher Department of Public Health & & Preventive Medicine. “We do not know if non-medical cannabis leads to much better cognition or the other method around if those with better cognition are more likely to use non-medical marijuana. If non-medical cannabis usage is safeguarding our cognition over time, we need longitudinal studies to see long term. Thats something we dont understand yet, however that research study is impeded since cannabis remains illegal federally.” Comprehensive Analysis and Study LimitationsData for this study was acquired from 4,744 U.S. grownups aged 45 and older in the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). SCD was a self-reported increase in confusion or memory loss in the past year. Chances of SCD by marijuana usage method, factor, and frequency were taken a look at after assigning missing out on information, using tasting weights, and changing for sociodemographic, health, and compound utilize factors.The study varies from previous research study in that it concentrates on older and middle-aged grownups, and it distinctively thinks about the three facets of cannabis usage: type of use (medical or non-medical), frequency of usage, and mode of use (cigarette smoking, vaping, consuming or dabbing).” The factor I believe this study is so fantastic is we took a look at all the various dimensions of marijuana use,” he stated. “The fact that we consisted of all 3 is a big contribution to the research study due to the fact that I do not think such a research study has been done before.” Wong stated he was amazed that mode and frequency had no bearing on SCD given that other research studies involving more youthful individuals found an unfavorable connection in between brain health and marijuana use, suggesting possibly that the age of the participants plays a role in the various results.The study, which was released in Current Alzheimer Research was Chens final task in the Advanced Biostatistics course in the MPH program taught by Wong. ” I applied the knowledge and analytical abilities gained from the courses in the general public Health Methods concentration to this research study,” Chen said. “Dr. Wong directed me through the process, from developing a research study concern to preparing a complete manuscript. I feel fortunate to have incredible teachers in our program who train us to become well-rounded public health experts with the abilities for epidemiology and biostatistics work.” The authors did note some constraints with the research study, including the failure to consider state-by-state marijuana policies; thus, prospective choice predisposition might emerge if the population of particular states is either over or underrepresented due to differing procedures of cannabis use.Strengths of the research study consist of utilizing a nationwide information set, which increases the generalizability of the findings. Wong stated the difference in protection in between non-medical and medical usage comes down to the substances that comprise cannabis. Medical-grade marijuana has greater concentrations of CBD whereas non-medical has higher concentrations of THC.Non-medical users typically utilize marijuana to enhance sleep and lower stress. Poor sleep and persistent stress increase the threat for dementia so the defense in SCD might originate from better sleep and stress relief that cannabis supplies. Medical cannabis is used primarily for pain relief.” Based on our findings, we do not see the CBD in medical marijuana being useful for cognitive health,” Wong said.Reference: “Association Between Cannabis Use and Subjective Cognitive Decline: Findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)” by Zhi Chen and Roger Wong, 23 February 2024, Current Alzheimer Research.DOI: 10.2174/ 0115672050301726240219050051.
