While the cannabinoid CBN may not hold the key to the fountain of youth, it could potentially play a role in tackling (among other things) age-related cognitive-decline.
Much of the research carried out on cannabinoids has been focused on two – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). But there are well over 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Another compound that has been seeing some serious study is cannabinol (CBN), which is mildly psychoactive. Preliminary studies have indicated it may have the potential in addressing sleep disorders, and play a role in the “entourage effect” of cannabis.
CBN also exhibits a variety of other therapeutic properties including anticancer, antimicrobial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities; but much more research needs to be done. Among research that is happening is another possibility — as a therapeutic agent for age-related cognitive decline and metabolic dysfunction.
Researchers from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California investigated the effects of CBN on age-associated cognitive decline and metabolic dysfunction using the SAMP8 mouse model of accelerated aging, which is a widely used animal model for studying age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
Their results indicated CBN significantly improves spatial learning and memory, and key aspects of mitochondrial function were enhanced. The powerhouses of cells, mitochondria experience a decline in their function as we age due to factors such as increased oxidative damage, impaired quality control, and decreased biogenesis.
Among other findings were sex-specific metabolic changes in oxygen consumption and energy expenditure, along with restoring markers of synaptic function; including synaptophysin and PSD-95.
The researchers concluded:
“These findings place CBN as a promising agent for mitigating age-related cognitive decline and associated metabolic disruptions, particularly in preserving mitochondrial function during aging.”
They state future studies should focus on identifying the molecular pathways responsible for CBN’s sex-specific effects and its long-term impact on neurodegenerative processes, along with investigating the potential synergistic effects of CBN with other neuroprotective compounds.
The study has been published in the journal Redox Biology.
