As we discuss more of the ways animals are affected by cannabis, more research has come forward showcasing just that. A 2017 study of cognitive functions in animals was revisited by Andreas Zimmer, a professor at the German University of Bonn with the Institute of Molecular Psychiatry. He originally co-authored the piece published by Nature Medicine on studies for brain research on mice.
In the experiment, older mine were treated with low doses of active cannabinoids from the cannabis plant. Mice typically don’t have a long lifespan, showing signs of cognitive deficits at only twelve-months of age. The experiment was done on mice between the ages of two months, ten months, and twelve months old.
Small pumps, called osmotic pumps, were put under the mice skin and constantly released the substances over the course of four weeks. After waiting a week, trials testing learning and memory were given to see the results. The typical test of having a mouse find a hidden platform in a maze was given. The test typically takes a few days with young mice so Zimmer and his colleagues were surprised to see the older mice perform just as well. Zimmer notes that they remembered the platform and, even when put through different test for memory functions, one couldn’t distinguish between the two age groups.
The North Rhine-Westphalia science minister Svenja Schulze appeared thrilled by the study: “The promotion of knowledge-led research is indispensable, as it is the breeding ground for all matters relating to application. Although there is a long path from mice to humans, I feel extremely positive about the prospect that THC could be used to treat dementia, for instance.”
Zimmer was in “complete disbelief” at the outcome as no other substance or chemical compound has given the same effect. The mice’s ability to learn and their overall memory functions were dramatically improved as if they were years younger. Zimmer even says the effect is “unique to cannabis”. The professor is active in researching cannabis effects on aging and brain functions and his studies started long before this, however. The group of scientist found the mice brains aged much slower if THC had been introduced.
“These cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors are proteins to which the substances dock and thus trigger a signal chain. CB1 is also the reason for the intoxicating effect of THC in cannabis products, such as hashish or marijuana, which accumulate at the receptor. THC imitates the effect of cannabinoids produced naturally in the body, which fulfill important functions in the brain. “With increasing age, the quantity of the cannabinoids naturally formed in the brain reduces…When the activity of the cannabinoid system declines, we find rapid aging in the brain.”
-Professor Andreas Zimmer, Institute of Molecular Psychiatry University of Bonn, Nature Medicine
Over the course of Zimmers studies, he and his team continued to examine brain tissue and gene activity of the treated mice. Overall, Zimmer even stated that it was as if “the molecular clock had been turned back with THC treatment”. Older mice were able to regress back to a younger mental state, correcting cognitive issues that had been developed. While he doesn’t feel this test would work exactly the same on humans, he admits it opens options to research in treating dementia.
Through his studies, he has found that consuming cannabis when too young may give adverse effects. Even when dosing younger mice, their memory seemed to worsen while older mice improved. It is different for both parties but, the science doesn’t lie.
Despite whether cannabis use can affect humans the same way or not, is still to be determined by research. The findings Zimmer and his team have made are enough to build a case for researching cannabis effects on humans. If the endocannabinoid tone declines as we age, the levels of endogenous substances decline as well. If we can mimic the way the compound interacts with other mice we can possibly find a way to improve cognitive deficiencies with age.
Written by: Joycelin Arnold
