Cannabis as a Treatment for Age-Related Diseases

While model organism studies are promising, human data are scarce.

by

August 13, 2025

Introduction

Researchers have conducted a review of the literature suggesting that cannabis may exhibit benefits for older adults while potentially presenting harms to younger populations. However, it has been noted that dosing methodologies are frequently inconsistent and poorly measured across various studies.

Cannabinoids and Longevity

In recent years, there has been a notable surge in cannabis consumption among older individuals, primarily for managing chronic ailments such as:

  • Arthritis
  • Chronic pain
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Anxiety
  • Depressive symptoms

Moreover, there is an emerging interest in exploring cannabis-derived cannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), for their potential roles in promoting longevity and anti-aging therapies. These cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which appears to play a significant role in aging and longevity [2]. Although the precise mechanisms of how the ECS interacts with cannabinoids to enhance health and longevity remain unclear, the collective studies indicate that cannabinoids may contribute to cellular homeostasis.

Review Findings

The review included 11 preclinical and 7 human studies that satisfied the researchers' stringent search criteria. It focused on cannabinoids’ anti-aging properties while excluding studies that primarily assessed the acute effects of cannabis or its role in treating specific medical conditions.

Promising Animal Data

Most initial studies centered on biological inquiries are conducted using model organisms, including:

  • Worms
  • Fruit flies
  • Zebrafish
  • Mice

Findings indicate that CBD and THC exposure in worms and fruit flies led to lifespan extension, improved neuronal health, delayed age-related neurodegeneration, and increased autophagy [3-6]. However, the beneficial effects of these cannabinoids were typically linked to specific doses.

A pivotal study assessed the influence of THC on zebrafish, noting a dose-dependent relationship whereby lower doses resulted in improved male survival rates and egg production alongside reduced markers of aging and inflammation in the liver. Conversely, higher doses were detrimental to offspring viability and reproduction [7].

In experiments involving mice, older subjects receiving lower doses of THC exhibited enhanced memory and a reversal of cognitive decline, contrasting with younger cohorts that displayed diminished cognitive performance post-THC exposure [8]. Further studies found cognitive performance improvements through chronic low-dose THC exposure in aged mice [9] and following a single low-dose THC injection [10]. Additionally, intranasal low-dose THC treatment benefited memory and brain health in aged murine models of Alzheimer’s disease [11].

A separate study highlighted potential interactions between THC and CBD, revealing that low doses of THC improved spatial learning in older mice, yet this effect diminished with concurrent CBD administration [12]. This underscores the necessity for deeper investigation into the combined effects of various cannabinoids.

The Human Data

Despite the encouraging data from animal models, human studies are sparse and exhibit inconsistencies. Outcomes vary based on factors such as the age at which an individual commenced cannabis use and the duration of their usage. Notably, studies targeting individuals who initiated cannabis use during adolescence noted adverse effects on executive function, grey matter volume, verbal memory capabilities, biological aging, and overall health [13-16].

Conversely, studies examining older adults (aged 60-88) who have been regular cannabis users demonstrated enhanced connectivity in various brain regions, suggesting improvements in communication and information processing [17]. However, another study revealed that long-term cannabis users within this cohort showed diminished executive functions compared to non-users or short-term users, indicating that short-term usage may not critically affect cognitive performance [18].

Given the lack of robust human studies, researchers also explored cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) in older populations. Findings indicate the potential of CBMPs in treating age-associated conditions such as:

  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Chronic pain

Furthermore, cannabis use may contribute to a reduction in opioid consumption [19].

Collectively, human data corroborate an age-dependent effect: early-life cannabis usage is associated with cognitive deficits, while late-onset usage shows more promising outcomes. However, further investigation is essential.

The researchers speculate that some contradictory age-related effects of cannabis might stem from alterations in the endocannabinoid system associated with aging—particularly in receptor binding and gene expression.

Methodological Considerations

The authors identified several methodological issues within human studies investigating cannabis utilization. These include:

  • Inconsistent Dose Reporting: Many studies broadly categorize use as “heavy” or “recreational” without providing precise dosage measurements.
  • Generalized Age Categories: The classification of “older adults” lacks specificity, complicating interpretation and severity assessment.

These issues hinder strong inference and conclusions. Nevertheless, the authors utilized these studies to derive broader trends regarding cannabis application in older adults.

Additionally, researchers noted diverse patterns of cannabis usage among older demographics, including:

  • New users (individuals starting past age 60)
  • Intermittent users
  • Chronic users

Variability in these patterns complicates research, as outcomes may diverge amongst different cohorts, establishing the need for tailored therapeutic approaches.

Cautious Optimism

Although the reviewed findings are predominantly optimistic, they necessitate cautious interpretation due to their limited nature and inherent methodological constraints. Furthermore, the majority of existing human studies are observational, rendering it difficult to confirm any causal relationships.

Future Research Directions

Future research must prioritize well-designed human trials aimed at elucidating cannabis’s effects on health and longevity, evaluating the repercussions of long-term cannabis use among older adults, and exploring various dosing strategies and administration routes. Additionally, investigation into cannabinoids beyond THC and CBD, alongside their interactions with other medications and compounds, is essential for advancing therapeutic potential.

Literature Cited

[1] Nain, S., et al. (2025). The impact of cannabis use on ageing and longevity: a systematic review of research insights. Journal of cannabis research, 7(1), 52.

[2] Paradisi, A., et al. (2006). The endocannabinoid system in ageing: a new target for drug development. Current drug targets, 7(11), 1539–1552.

[3] Land, M. H., et al. (2021). Effect of Cannabidiol on the Long-Term Toxicity and Lifespan in the Preclinical Model Caenorhabditis elegans. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 6(6), 522–527.

[4] Wang, Z., et al. (2022). Cannabidiol induces autophagy and improves neuronal health associated with SIRT1 mediated longevity. GeroScience, 44(3), 1505–1524.

[5] Wang, Z., et al. (2021). Cannabidiol regulates CB1-pSTAT3 signaling for neurite outgrowth, prolongs lifespan, and improves health span in Caenorhabditis elegans of Aβ pathology models. FASEB journal, 35(5), e21537.

[6] Candib, A., et al. (2024). The Influence of Cannabinoids on Drosophila Behaviors, Longevity, and Traumatic Injury Responses of the Adult Nervous System. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 9(3), e886–e896.

[7] Pandelides, Z., et al. (2020). Developmental exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) causes biphasic effects on longevity, inflammation, and reproduction in aged zebrafish (Danio rerio). GeroScience, 42(3), 923–936.

[8] Bilkei-Gorzo, A., et al. (2017). A chronic low dose of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) restores cognitive function in old mice. Nature medicine, 23(6), 782–787.

[9] Komorowska-Müller, J. A., et al. (2023). Chronic low-dose Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) treatment stabilizes dendritic spines in 18-month-old mice. Scientific reports, 13(1), 1390.

[10] Sarne, Y., et al. (2018). Reversal of age-related cognitive impairments in mice by an extremely low dose of tetrahydrocannabinol. Neurobiology of aging, 61, 177–186.

[11] Fihurka, O., et al. (2022). The Memory Benefit to Aged APP/PS1 Mice from Long-Term Intranasal Treatment of Low-Dose THC. International journal of molecular sciences, 23(8), 4253.

[12] Nidadavolu, P., et al. (2021). Efficacy of Δ9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Alone or in Combination With a 1:1 Ratio of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Reversing the Spatial Learning Deficits in Old Mice. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 13, 718850.

[13] Meier, M. H., et al. (2022). Preparedness for healthy ageing and polysubstance use in long-term cannabis users: a population-representative longitudinal study. The lancet. Healthy longevity, 3(10), e703–e714.

[14] Thayer, R. E., et al. (2019). Preliminary results from a pilot study examining brain structure in older adult cannabis users and nonusers. Psychiatry research. Neuroimaging, 285, 58–63.

[15] Burggren, A. C., et al. (2018). Subregional Hippocampal Thickness Abnormalities in Older Adults with a History of Heavy Cannabis Use. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 3(1), 242–251.

[16] Auer, R., et al. (2016). Association Between Lifetime Marijuana Use and Cognitive Function in Middle Age: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. JAMA internal medicine, 176(3), 352–361.

[17] Watson, K. K., et al. (2022). Cannabis Use and Resting State Functional Connectivity in the Aging Brain. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 14, 804890.

[18] Stypulkowski, K., et al. (2022). Long-Term Recreational Cannabis Use Is Associated With Lower Executive Function and Processing Speed in a Pilot Sample of Older Adults. Journal of geriatric psychiatry and neurology, 35(5), 740–746.

[19] Tumati, S., et al. (2022). Medical Cannabis Use Among Older Adults in Canada: Self-Reported Data on Types and Amount Used, and Perceived Effects. Drugs & aging, 39(2), 153–163.