Claim: Long-term, low-dose administration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in cannabis, has an anti-aging effect on the brain by restoring cognitive abilities and synapse density in old mice. THC treatment in the brain led to a transient increase in mTOR activity and levels of intermediates involved in energy production and amino acids. The latter enabled an increased synthesis of synaptic proteins and thus the formation of new synapses. It leads to a similarly strong reduction in mTOR activity of mice in adipose tissue and in the content of amino acids and carbohydrate metabolites in blood plasma as after a low-calorie diet or after intensive physical activity.
Note: Long-term administration of low doses of Δ9-THC may thus support the positive effects of physical activity or a low-caloric diet in the elderly, an age group where health issues can impede the full application of these strategies. (The authors point out that it has the opposite effects in young mice, so the THC intervention is for the older folks only.)
The problem isn’t that, only that there’s a bunch of arrows on a graph with something except mouse lifespan. THC is not a longevity drug. It’s psychoactive. Unless you have cancer pain or something.
I am not suggesting anybody should go out and purchase THC products on the basis of this study, but the authors express a belief that they are pursuing a longevity enhancing intervention: Our study suggests that a dual effect on mTOR activity and the metabolome could be the basis for an effective antiaging and pro-cognitive medication.
I’ll admit I have a bias here, as I see nothing but problems from THC in the ER, but don’t start down that road in the name of longevity. Canabanoid hyperemesis is no fun.
I didn’t read the article carefully to figure out what “low dose” was used in their study, but I suspect that translated to humans it would be much less than the doses consumed by people who are ending up in the ER scromiting from chronic recreational use.
We take about 3mg of THC oil orally, every night, typically after 7pm.
Unless we are going out somewhere
That is considered to be in the micro-dose range. It helps us both sleep better but not get “high”. Been doing that for 5 or 6 years now. Grew my first weed 52 years ago stopped smoking weed for nearly 25 years during the child rearing period.
Smoking anything is way too harmful so edibles or edible oils are the way to go, if you want healthy lungs.
My list of recreational drugs consumed prior to age 20 is quite extensive, but no opioids of any kind. Primarily psychedelics
I micro-dose golden teacher shrooms a couple times a year. I have to plan it out a bit before hand but I have found some benefits and will continue. Not enough to trip but enough to change my mind.
