Study Examines Cannabis Use Patterns and Cognitive Performance in Aging Adults

OG article by Erin McEvoy

December 4, 2025

A November 2025 study in Age and Ageing, drawing from the UK Biobank, scrutinized cannabis use among 67,713 adults aged 60+ in cross-sectional data and 52,002 in longitudinal analyses, evaluating impacts on cognitive domains like attention, executive function, processing speed, visual memory, and working memory. Self-reports from 2016–2017 and 2022–2023 categorized 17% as lifetime users and 4% as past-year users versus non-users. Contrary to widespread concerns, lifetime use correlated with superior performance across all tested areas. Current users excelled in working memory, while early initiation, prolonged duration, and frequent use enhanced attention and visual memory. Past users showed decelerated executive function decline over time. However, former users who began before age 17 displayed deficits in working memory, suggesting vulnerability in adolescent-onset cases. Researchers attribute potential benefits to neuroprotective effects or lifestyle factors but caution against overinterpretation due to limitations: self-reported data risks recall bias, and the study omits distinctions in medical versus recreational intent, dosage, or consumption methods like smoking versus edibles. No causality is established, underscoring the urgency for longitudinal trials with refined metrics. Findings challenge stigma around senior cannabis use, advocating balanced policy approaches that support therapeutic exploration while monitoring risks for vulnerable subgroups.