A study has come out that has found a link between cannabinol and healthier nerve cells in our brain.
What tends to happen with these kinds of studies is a lack of context. When you study one part of something, you lose the balance that is inherent within the entire package. So, take this all with a grain of salt.
But now with the disclaimer out of the way, this is some interesting stuff!
“We’ve found that cannabinol protects neurons from oxidative stress and cell death, two of the major contributors to Alzheimer’s,” says author of the study, Pamela Maher.
Cannabinol (CBN) is the younger sister of THC, and much less popular due its lack of psychoactive effects. Because of this, it is much less regulated by the FDA.
Researchers have found that lipid oxidation is a major cause for damage in neural cells. The mitochondria of these cells curl up in a donut shape, and when these cells were treated with CBN, the mitochondria remained strong and intact.
While a potentially important way to combat Alzheimer’s, the implications are further reaching, and have the possibility of treating Parkinson’s Disease, which is also caused by oxidation in the brain.
All of this opens a door for cannabinol pills, or some sort of daily regimen of cannabinol for older people. Since there are no psychoactive effects from the terpene, this could be a good option for those wary of getting high.
The study itself is closed to public (you need to be a part of an “institution” to read it), but here’s the link to a summary of the findings.
