Cannabis and Aging
As our bodies grow older, the cumulative stress of living diminishes our ability to fight off infections and heal from injuries. One of the reasons this happens is because as we age, parts of our DNA called telomeres become shorter and as a result our cells become less resilient and responsive to stress, failing to adapt which leads to damage and disease. Natural cannabinoids are the key to unlocking preventative medicine by helping protect your DNA from damage, slowing down the aging process.
This skin is one of the first organs to show visible signs of aging. It’s also something we look at every day and are most likely to notice changes. Natural Cannabinoids have been found to promote a healthy inflammatory response, when added to skin lotions, reducing redness and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Some natural cannabinoids have even been shown to lower the production of sebum oil by the skin which may bring about an improvement in acne symptoms.
Cannabis has not historically been linked to positive changes in the brain, so it’s surprising then that research would show that natural cannabinoids in cannabis are associated with a reduction in brain inflammation and improved memory, at least in rats. The latest review, published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, suggests that triggering the brain’s cannabinoid system using natural cannabinoids may result in a kind of anti-oxidant cleanse. This promotes the removal of damaged cells and improves the efficiency of the mitochrondria, the energy source that powers cells, ultimately leading to a more robustly functioning brain.
Other studies have linked natural cannabinoids to an increase of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a substance that protects brain cells and promotes the growth of new ones. Since the growth of new brain cells slows or stops as we age, it’s possible that by increasing BDNF we could potentially slow the decline in cognitive functions.
Another study, involving mice bred without cannabinoid receptors were found to have better memories early in life but showed more rapid cognitive decline as they aged. This was caused by increased inflammation in the hippocampus, which plays a critical role in memory. This supports the argument that cannabis is not appropriate for kids and young adults but may become critical as we age and bodies ability to produce cannabinoids internally is diminished.
More research is needed before we can say for sure that natural cannabinoids are useful for age-related conditions, but for those interested in trying products made with ingredients containing natural cannabinoids, check out Randy’s Remedy, Powered by Cannaka. Cannaka is the first botanically complete extract made from hemp and other botanical ingredients. Cannaka is an excellent source of natural cannabinoids which promote and support a healthy inflammatory response and central nervous system. For more information visit www.randysclub.org.
