Cannabis, Brain, and Aging with Kent Hutchison PhD

In this episode, Dr. Kent Hutchison discusses how his research on cannabis grew from a background in alcohol and nicotine studies into a broader effort to understand both the risks and potential benefits of cannabis use. He describes findings from large brain-imaging datasets suggesting that lifetime cannabis use was associated with larger regional brain volumes and better performance on some cognitive tests in older adults. He also discusses why cannabis may affect adolescents and older adults differently, including age-related changes in the endocannabinoid system. The conversation explores possible neuroprotective effects of cannabinoids, the use of cannabis among older adults for pain, sleep, and anxiety, and emerging research on cannabis and exercise. A central message is that cannabis effects depend on the product, dose, route of administration, age, health status, and reason for use. Chapters 00:54 Introduction to Cannabis Research and Personal Journey 04:04 Exploring Cannabis and Brain Function 09:14 Adolescent Cannabis Use and Cognitive Effects 12:31 Neuroprotective Effects of Cannabinoids 14:25 Understanding the Endocannabinoid System 16:23 Cannabinoids in Older Adults 19:03 Cannabis Use in Relation to Other Medications 20:01 Cannabis and Exercise: Subjective Experiences 24:24 Future Research Directions and Closing Thoughts