Cannabis sativa is a botanical that has been used medicinally, recreationally, and therapeutically for millennia. over the past several years, there has been considerable interest regarding its reported effects on aging. The rapidly emerging question is whether cannabis use delays biological aging as researchers begin to investigate the underlying mechanisms at play in healthy longevity. This review discusses how marijuana use may affect the aging process and ways in which treatment might confer benefits through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effects, and/or epigenetic modification.
Role of Cannabis in Biological Aging
Biological aging refers to the deterioration in cellular and molecular functions of the body with time, due to the interaction of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. It may be manifested by increased vulnerability to diseases, weakened mental capacity, and weakening of the body.
However, in recent studies, it has been indicated that cannabis delays this process. Among the notable biological markers of aging, people who use cannabis show some interesting biological markers, which are deemed beneficial in anti-aging.
Midlife recreational cannabis users have been found to depict slower biological aging markers compared to non-users of the substance. This therefore begs the question: can cannabis use be a determinant of longevity? Longitudinal studies by researchers contrast long-term users and nonusers of cannabis, finding significant contrasts in the patterns of aging. Such studies have also suggested that cannabis exposure might be associated with lower inflammation and oxidative stress-two major drivers of aging.
Epigenetic Aging and Cannabis Use
One of the main areas of interest in research on aging is the concept of epigenetic aging, in which environmental factors change the expression of genes without actually altering the sequence of DNA. This process is essential in decoding how life course decisions, such as substance use, shape cellular processes of aging.
Changes to epigenetic marks, particularly DNA methylation, have been associated with processes of aging. Recent evidence links marijuana use to epigenetic age.
Cannabis might influence epigenetic markers to decrease inflammation-the major driver of epigenetic age advancement. These long-term cannabis smokers also had reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which may be associated with a slower rate of epigenetic aging. More research is needed to confirm these findings; however, initial indications are that marijuana use is positively associated with delayed biological aging through epigenetic mechanisms.
Effects of Long-Term Cannabis Use on Aging
One of the key factors to consider when assessing the impact of cannabis use on aging is related to use and age. Long-term cannabis use has been identified as causing both positive and negative health effects.
On one hand, the strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis may help protect cells from damage that contributes to aging. Conversely, excessive or extended use of cannabis creates unintended outcomes, especially within cognitive functions.
Potential benefits of recreational cannabis use, however, are shown in many studies focusing on older adults when used in moderation. Marijuana use among older adults today is more frequent than before, and cannabis use among older adults has been associated with an improved quality of life in some aspects of this life, such as improved sleep, reduced chronic pain, and relief from anxiety.
These benefits mean that people enjoy healthy longevity because the two most important factors that slow down the aging process are less stress and better sleep.
Marijuana Use and Epigenetic Age
There is increasing interest in the association between marijuana use and epigenetic age. While heavy users of cannabis show accelerated biological aging due to heavy consumption and poor lifestyle, moderate users may have quite an opposite effect. One such study performed a comparison between long-term cannabis users with five or more years of use and calculated the average differences in results pertaining to biological age markers between long-term cannabis users and non-users.
Long-term use of marijuana seems to have its effects on dosage, frequency, and general health. While long-term cannabis use from age 18 may increase certain risks such as accelerated biological aging, those who use cannabis use it infrequently or in moderation, and the course of biological aging appears slower.
Opposing Effects of Cannabis
Despite some potential benefits, consideration needs to be given to the opposing effects of cannabis. In particular, there is a risk of cannabis and substance use disorder, especially among individuals who develop a use disorder or are into polysubstance use.
Studies have shown that young cannabis users who engage in regular consumption demonstrate epigenetic age acceleration, which could impact healthy aging. Furthermore, there is a hypothesis that long-term cannabis users may experience cognitive decline over time, with evidence from cannabis studies indicating a link between cannabis use disorder and poorer health outcomes later in life. The use of drugs, particularly polysubstance use alongside cannabis, can exacerbate these effects, making it crucial to consider long-term consequences of substance use during adolescence.
With the use of other substances, such as tobacco use or alcohol use, together, the cumulative negative effect of such substances can catalyze biological aging among chronic cannabis users.
Among long-time cannabis users, the use of a number of other substances also accelerates the aging process, which requires cautious and moderated uses.
Meanwhile according to the National Institute On Aging, cannabis studies on adolescents have claimed that early use may result in cognitive decline-a prospect not exactly faced by older adults since their age of initiation is much later. Mental health issues is also a risk development in young adults.
Conclusion
In other words, cannabis is a drug that may have the potential to delay biological aging in specific subjects. Moreover, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and possible epigenetic could be of great help in promoting healthy ageing and social preparedness for old age.
Therefore, although an effect of marijuana use on biological aging is not fully clear, moderate use in older adults seems to provide certain benefits in aspects of improving the quality of life, reducing levels of stress, and slowing down the processes of aging.
However, care needs to be taken not to slide into the overuse of the substance and slide into cannabis dependence. With a lifetime marijuana use becoming increasingly common, further elucidation of its role in epigenetic aging and healthy longevity will be important to inform health recommendations in the future.