Study Finds THC Use Safe For Adults Over 65

Study Finds THC Use Safe For Adults Over 65

A new study out of the Netherlands has determined THC use to be safe for older adults, specifically those over 65.

Researchers from the Department of Geriatric Medicine and Radboud Alzheimer Centre, the Department of Pharmacy, the Department for Health Evidence and the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology out of Radboud University Medical Center reviewed the effects of pure THC when administered to adults over the age of 65. The results, while unsurprising to some, offer new evidence that THC can provide treatment for a myriad of ailments for people of all ages.

The abstract of the study begins as such:

There is a great concern about the safety of THC-based drugs in older people (≥65 years), as most of THC-trials did not include such group. In this phase 1, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial, we evaluated the safety and pharmacokinetics of three oral doses of Namisol, a novel THC in tablet form, in older subjects. Twelve healthy older subjects (6 male; mean age 72±5 years) randomly received a single oral dose of 3mg, 5mg, or 6.5mg of THC or matching placebo, in a crossover manner, on each intervention day.”

The study goes on to state that, “THC was safe and well tolerated”, and that the most frequently reported adverse side-effects were drowsiness (reported by 27% of participants), and dry mouth (reported by 11% of participants). Subjects who had taken 6.5 mg of THC reported these side-effects more than those who had only taken 3 mg or 5 mg of THC, or the placebo group. Researchers also determined that plasma concentrations of THC in the subjects widely varied, with measurements at peak concentration ranging from 1.42 ng/ml up to 4.57 ng/ml, and peak concentration times ranging from 67 minutes to 92 minutes.

Regardless of the variables, however, the researchers determined THC to be safe for use, and considered it to be a valuable medical asset:

“In conclusion, THC appeared to be safe and well tolerated by healthy older individuals. Data on safety and effectiveness of THC in frail older persons are urgently required, as this population could benefit from the therapeutic applications of THC.”

This study was e-published ahead of print in the journal European Neuropsychopharmacology, and has been published by the U.S. National Institute of Health.

– TheJointBlog