CBD Oil for Memory — Does CBD Oil Help Improve Memory?
You’ve probably heard that using cannabis can affect your short-term memory, and it does.
THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid, can impair one’s short-term memory. It affects the way our brain processes memory. This may cause you to sometimes end up forgetting things and/or having “false memories.” The effect of THC is very common and usually disappears once your high wears off.
However, if this is what is stopping you from taking CBD oil, know that CBD doesn’t affect your short-term memory. In fact, studies have shown that CBD may even have properties that can improve our memory.
Curious? Then read on to know how CBD may help boost memory.
Factors Affecting Memory
Many factors affect our memory, the most common of which is aging.
As we grow older, so do our brain cells. They become weaker and unable to function properly. This results in sensorimotor problems like loss of fine motor skills, gait incoordination, and slowness in movements, among others. Issues such as shorter attention span, problems with multitasking, mood changes, difficulty in recalling memories, and loss of memory also happen.
In addition to aging, memory can be affected not only by mental health problems but by chronic diseases and medical conditions as well. Stress and anxiety can make us lose focus and be forgetful, while disease affecting the brain can destroy the brain cells and affect the way they normally function. Some examples of brain diseases affecting memory include:
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Traumatic brain injury
- Brain cancer
- Addiction or substance use disorder
Your doctor may prescribe medications to control disease progression and protect the healthier brain cells. But sometimes, these drugs also cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, GI upset, headaches, and even muscle cramps.
CBD oil is a natural remedy many people use for memory problems nowadays. Not only can CBD oil help with memory problems, but it can also help address issues that affect memory in the first place.
CBD and the Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is made up of:
- Two cannabinoid receptors — Type 2 is mostly involved in modulating the immune response, while type 1 plays key roles in many physiological functions from pain and anxiety to sleep and appetite. This receptor also helps modulate learning and memory.
- Endocannabinoids — Cannabinoid-like chemicals produced by our own cells in response to a stimulus.
- Enzymes like fatty acid amide hydrolase or FAAH — These enzymes degrade the endocannabinoids.
The main function of the ECS is to make sure there’s a balance between the chemical levels in the body, especially the brain. Any imbalance in the chemical levels can affect the ECS, worsening symptoms of pain, anxiety, depression, abnormal immune response, and many more.
Now, CBD and THC both interact with the ECS to produce their beneficial effects. However, when THC binds to the type 1 cannabinoid receptor, it produces the mind-altering, intoxicating effects cannabis is known for. THC’s overstimulation of this receptor also affects our short-term memory.
CBD doesn’t produce these effects though simply because it is non-psychoactive and doesn’t bind very well to the type 1 cannabinoid receptor. CBD won’t get you high or produce psychoactive effects. Using CBD also won’t affect your memory. In fact, some studies even suggest that CBD may have the opposite effect as THC.
CBD and Its Effects on Memory
According to one study, CBD has properties that can help improve episodic memory. Researchers noted that CBD not only counteracted THC’s effect on memory but also helped improve cognition.
To test CBD’s effects on memory, healthy individuals were given either CBD or placebo vapes. 20 minutes after vaping, those who received CBD vapes showed a 10% increase in their memory, compared to those who received placebo vapes.
Moreover, no adverse side effects were seen in those who received CBD vapes, especially on their working memory performance as well as attention and focus. This means that CBD does not negatively impact one’s cognitive functioning.
As to reducing THC’s effects on memory, the study noted that CBD helped counteract memory impairment induced by the THC.
CBD’s Neuroprotective Effects on the Brain Cells
In addition to CBD’s positive effects on memory, this non-psychoactive cannabinoid also has neuroprotective effects on the brain cells. Simply put, CBD can protect our brain cells from the damaging effects of neuroinflammation, neurotoxicity, and oxidative stress caused by brain diseases, disorders, or neurotransmitter imbalance.
CBD produces powerful anti-inflammatory effects when it stimulates the type 2 cannabinoid receptor. This effect helps reduce low-grade inflammation in the brain. Neuroinflammation can damage the brain cells or neurons and cause worsening of symptoms.
CBD also has potent antioxidant effects. This means it can lend some of its free electrons to unstable molecules or free radicals. The accumulation of this can damage the neurons. This CBD effect neutralizes the free radicals and makes them more stable. This, in turn, helps decrease neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in the brain.
Brain Conditions That Can Benefit from CBD’s Effects
CBD can help with many brain conditions, especially debilitating ones like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia which significantly impact one’s memory and cognition.
- A study showed that two weeks of high-dose CBD can help reduce Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. It helps restore the beneficial functions of two key proteins that prevent and decrease the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. These plaques accumulate in the brain and disrupt the way the neurons communicate with each other. The results are memory and cognition problems.
- CBD may also benefit patients with dementia. Not only can CBD help improve memory, but according to a study, it was also able to reduce anxiety and agitation associated with dementia.
We lack more studies on the brain and memory. However, some show the potential benefits of CBD for patients suffering from memory loss caused by aging or chronic medical problems.
Where to Buy CBD Oil for Memory in Canada
CBD oil is readily available in many health stores and dispensaries across the country. But if you’re after more variety, especially when it comes to brands and dosages, then buy CBD oil in Canada online.
Just see to it that you’re buying from a trusted CBD provider like ICARIA whose products are all made from organic, premium-grade ingredients. The CBD products also underwent rigid laboratory testing by a certified third-party facility. You can view their updated certificates of analysis on ICARIA’s website. Make sure, too, that the company and its products have received good reviews from consumers.
If you want to use CBD oil for memory problems though, especially if it’s caused by physical and mental health problems, we always recommend speaking with your physician first.
