Going to hang out with the family for the holidays might be a bit more relaxed this year. Pot smoking baby boomers are on the rise, but why? We found this great read from news outlet Benzinga with the details:
As cannabis users get older and/or as weed consumption among seniors becomes more common (it has quadrupled in the past seven years!) a group of scientists honed in on this large demographic of pot-smoking baby boomers..and guess what? Their results suggest that the use of whole-plant cannabis does not have a negative impact on cognition. In fact, the opposite is true. The study, done at the University of Colorado Boulder, examined the effects of cannabis use in adults aged 60 to 88 with no history of alcohol or other substance use disorder. Gary Wenk Ph.D., a scientist not involved in the study, noted that while high THC levels can have negative effects on the adolescent brain, quite the opposite is true with older brains. Older cannabis users, relative to non-users, have significantly greater neuronal communication between the cerebellum and hippocampus.
Why? Age-related changes in the endocannabinoid system (ECS) include a decrease in the number of cannabinoid receptors throughout the brain. The ECS, a significant aspect of our human physiology that helps maintain homeostasis, is a complex cell-signaling system in the brain and body that interacts with just about all of our other body systems.
Decreased Number Of Cannabinoid Receptors Need Stimulation, Which Means…?
During normal aging, the decline in cannabinoid receptors correlates with increased levels of inflammation in these brain regions causing a loss of neurons in the hippocampus, which is critical for learning and memory. This, in short, explains age-related memory impairment.
Very Clever Of Nature
Wenk referred to his own laboratory studies that showed improved memory, decreased brain inflammation and increased hippocampal neurogenesis in older brains after the daily stimulation of cannabinoid receptors. “The potential benefits are important given that the cerebellum and hippocampus are highly vulnerable to the effects of aging. The hippocampus is stable until around age 50, at which point the hippocampus undergoes a rapid period of atrophy,” he wrote in Psychology Today, adding that hippocampus atrophy is consistent with mild cognitive impairment. “The few human studies of the effect of cannabis on the brain in middle-aged or older adults found little or no negative effects on cognitive function. Longitudinal studies that compared pre- and post-exposure performance reported that cannabis was associated with improved cognitive task performance in middle-aged adults,” Dr. Wenk wrote. “Low-dose, daily cannabis use after age 55 might effectively reduce the degenerative effects of chronic brain inflammation,” Wenk concluded.
Looking To Enter The World Of Cannabis, Boomer?
Here at Rebelle we understand and embrace the individuality of everyone’s personal cannabis experience, with this in mind we work extremely hard to have a variety of forms and options for every body’s individual needs and budgets on our menu. Below are just a few of our personal favorite products:
Fresh Flower: We only buy in small batches to ensure the flower we’ve got is always fresh for you. Diesel Cakes is HIGH on our list right now, cultivated by Green Care Collective with it’s gassy vanilla taste and aroma, you can expect a creative and euphoric high that isn’t overly energetic. Perfect for painting, matching socks while you watch that true crime show, or getting started on that creative project for work.
Glorious Gummies: We only want the hard working and best tasting edibles on our menu, and gummies are by far the most sought after form of edible available today. One of our favorite ways to wind down after an exhausting day is with Northeast Alternative’s Sour Grape Sangria RSO gummies. Bursting with intense grape flavor that finishes with a delightful sour bite, these are great for when you hop in bed and watch your evening shows before dozing off to dreamland at the end of the day.
Magical Microdose Mists: Here at Rebelle we get that life can be chaotic, and with that in mind we’ve created HALØ, a wellness-centric line of mircodosed breath mists that are meant to fold seamlessly into your daily rituals. From managing stress for stay-at-home-parents or caretakers, getting a boost in creativity or motivation, or even to build upon the buzz you’ve already started to continue the evening on that high note, the possibilities are endless because we realize the possibilities in your life are endless. HALØ is more than just an infused breath spray, it’s an energy booster at the gym, it’s finding some peace at the end of a long day and it’s regaining that balance when life is just too much.
Vivacious Vapes: For something more inconspicuous that is sure to give you all the effects you’re looking for then vaping is the thing for you. We offer batteries compatible with all 510 vape cartridges as well as the PAX vaporizing system (pods sold separately). Banana Sundae by RYTHM is our go to when we need a little extra kick in the AM to get the day rolling. What we love is the calming effects it has in addition to the energy, easing the anxiety about that large task list we gotta tackle.
Bubbly Beverages: Cannabis infused drinks are all the rage right now, not only are they discreet but they’re fast acting, meaning the party’s gonna get started pretty quickly with one of these on the invite list. Our go to for a good time are Good Feel’s beverages. This well-balanced, flavorful seltzer provides the perfect full-body experience for all occasions and with a consistent and manageable blend of THC and CBD in every bottle, you can relax and refresh in good company with complete control over your experience.
Trusted Tinctures: A tincture in the most basic sense is a cannabis extract, in which a liquid is infused with cannabis, meant for sublingual consumption, not vaporization or smoking. This is why we always recommend cannabis tinctures for aiding with a multitude of health benefits as well as providing a comfortable, intoxicating experience. For more information on dosing with tinctures be sure to check out our help guide HERE.
