According to Ohio State University researchers, tetrahydrocannibinol, or THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, may be good for the “aging brain by reducing inflammation there and possibly even stimulating the formation of new brain cells,” reads a press release. The OSU research suggests that the “development of a legal drug” that contains properties “similar to this in marijuana” might actually prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
THC now joins nicotine, alcohol and caffeine as “agents” that when used in moderation have shown some protection against inflammation, which can help ensure better memory later in life, reports OSU. “It’s not that everything immoral is good for the brain,” says OSU psychology professor Gary Wenk. “It’s just that there are some substances that millions of people for thousands of years have used in billions of doses” – and millions of people can’t be wrong, right? (Of course, I wouldn’t go so far as to call pot, booze or caffeine use “immoral.”) “Could people smoke marijuana to prevent Alzheimer’s disease if the disease is in their family?” Wenk asks. “We’re not saying that, but it might actually work.” Wenk apparently thinks that it might be better to come up with another “legal” substance that mimics natural marijuana – or maybe we could just legalize marijuana?
Read more about the study here.
This article appears in November 14 • 2008.