A new study has found that people who go to the hospital because of issues related to marijuana consumption could have more chances to develop dementia in the following years. Researchers explain that, even though every time more people consume marijuana and it’s getting more normalized, mostly in places where it’s legal, the effects in the long term on the brain can be more serious than many people think.
The study, published in the scientific magazine JAMA Neurology, analyzed medical records of more than 6 million people between 45 and 105 years old who lived in Ontario, Canada. None of them had dementia at the beginning of the study, but more than 16,000 had gone to hospitals due to marijuana consumption issues, like negative reactions or health complications. So, let’s see this study in more detail.
What the study found
Doctor Daniel Myran, from the University of Ottawa and co-author of the study, explained that people who were hospitalized because of causes related to marijuana had 23% more chances of developing dementia within the next 5 years, compared to those who were hospitalized for other reasons. What’s more, when compared to the general population, the risk increased even more, being up to 72% of risk.
The study also took into account other factors that can cause dementia, like age, genre, mental health, consumption of other substances, and chronic diseases (diabetes or heart issues). Yet, the result showed the risk was still higher among people who had issues with marijuana consumption.
An important signal
The doctor clarified this study doesn’t directly relate marijuana as the main cause of dementia, but it shows a worrying relation that coincides with other recent studies. According to Myran: “This is not a study that proves cannabis use causes dementia. It is a study that shows a concerning link that fits within a growing body of research.”
Red flag
Doctor Robert Page II, from the University of Colorado, pointed out that this study is an important alert for health professionals. He explained that doctors should pay attention to people who suffer from cannabis use disorder, meaning they can’t stop using marijuana even when it causes problems, because they may face serious mental and physical health issues. When people try to quit marijuana, they might experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, depression, or other mood problems that could send them back to the hospital.
The doctor also warned that today’s marijuana is much stronger than it used to be, with higher levels of THC, the chemical that affects the brain. This makes it easier to get addicted and increases the chance of side effects.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 30% of marijuana users can become addicted. The CDC also notes that regular use can affect memory, learning, and attention.
More hospital visits due to marijuana
The study also revealed that, between 2008 and 2021, hospital visits related to marijuana consumption increased 5 times among adults from 45 to 64 years old, and 27 times among people older than 65.
Also, the study showed that in 5 years time after a hospitalization for marijuana consumption, 5% of the people were diagnosed with dementia. After 10 years, that number went up to 19%.
Even though the research was made in Canada, experts believe the results could also be applied to the U.S. and the rest of North America.
Marijuana and the brain
Scientists are still trying to understand how marijuana consumption can increase the risk of dementia, but one of the possibilities is the frequent or daily use modifying neuronal connections of the brain. Doctor Myran explained that frequent consumption could cause inflammation or damage to small blood vessels in the brain, which would affect memory and concentration.
Other possible factors include that regular marijuana users might have higher rates of depression, social isolation, or brain injuries from accidents — all of which can also increase the risk of dementia.
So, this study makes us aware that understanding the effects of marijuana consumption can help prevent serious mental health issues in the future and make safer decisions about consumption.