Cannabis has been linked to some cases of dementia, as highlighted in a recent study.
On April 20, commonly known as 4/20, marijuana enthusiasts globally celebrated by indulging in cannabis, especially in the 24 states where it is legally permitted for recreational use.
Public figures such as Seth Rogen, Snoop Dogg, Miley Cyrus, Whoopi Goldberg, and Wiz Khalifa have contributed to normalizing cannabis in popular culture. However, excessive use is still associated with certain health risks.
A paper published in the National Library of Medicine’s journal JAMA Neurology last week pointed to one such risk.
The study analyzed data from over six million individuals and found that those hospitalized due to cannabis use were at a higher risk of developing dementia.
Dr. Daniel Myran, a Canadian co-author of the study, stated to CNN, “Someone who has an emergency room visit or hospitalization due to cannabis has a 23% increased risk of dementia within five years compared to someone who was at the hospital for another reason. They have a 72% greater risk compared to the general population.”
Dr. Myran, an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa’s department of family medicine, further elaborated, noting that these figures have taken into account other dementia risk factors such as age, sex, mental health issues, substance use, and chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
Previous studies have indicated that cannabis users are 25 percent more likely to require emergency care than non-users.
However, Myran cautioned, “This is not a study that anyone should look at and say, ‘Jury’s in, and cannabis use causes dementia’. This is a study that brings up a concerning association that fits within a growing body of research.”
The paper’s abstract notes: “Cannabis use is associated with short-term memory impairment and long-term changes in brain structure; however, little is known about whether disordered cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of a dementia diagnosis.”
Among the six million individuals studied, roughly 16,000, or 0.3 percent, ended up in hospitals or emergency rooms due to cannabis use, with the majority being around 55 years old and about 60 percent being male.
Between 2008 and 2021, cannabis-related hospital visits surged significantly, increasing fivefold for individuals aged 45 to 64 and nearly 27 times for those aged 65 and older.
The study found that those with cannabis-related hospital visits were 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with dementia within five years than those who visited the hospital for other reasons.
The results showed that five percent of individuals with cannabis-related hospital visits developed dementia, compared to 3.6 percent of those with general hospital visits, and only 1.3 percent of the general population.
Even after adjusting for age, health, and lifestyle factors, the risk of dementia remained elevated in individuals with cannabis-linked hospital visits, although it was lower than the risk for those with alcohol-related hospital visits.