A decades-long study found cannabis consumption is not associated with age-related IQ decline, according to data published in the November issue of the journal Brain and Behavior.
The study followed 5,162 Danish men over 44 years and researchers relied on extensive, self-reported data covering the participants’ health and lifestyle choices. The mean starting age of the participants was 22 and the mean age among participants at the end of the study was 62.
“Men with a history of cannabis use had less cognitive decline from early adulthood to late midlife compared to men without a history of cannabis use,” the researchers wrote. “Among cannabis users, neither age of initiation of cannabis use nor frequent use was significantly associated with a greater age-related cognitive decline.”
Paul Armentano, the deputy director for the cannabis political advocacy group NORML, said the results “contradict one of the more prominent and longstanding stereotypes about cannabis and cannabis consumers.”
“It is unfortunate that these stereotypes often go unchallenged in the media and elsewhere. It is even more unfortunate that studies refuting these long-held stereotypes seldom receive the type of mainstream attention they deserve.” — Armentano, in a statement
In a 2020 study, Israeli researchers found that senior citizens who use cannabis did not show evidence of cognitive decline.
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