MINI REVIEW article
Front. Psychiatry
Sec. Aging Psychiatry
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1646151
Cannabidiol (CBD) and cognitive function in older adults: a mini review
Provisionally accepted
- 1Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Humanitas University in Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, Poland
- 2Uniwersytet SWPS, Warsaw, Poland
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As the global population ages, the need for effective interventions to support cognitive health in older adults is growing. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating component of cannabis, has emerged as a potential neuroprotective agent due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anxiolytic properties. While preclinical studies show promising effects on hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive performance, human trials remain limited, particularly in older populations. Existing studies have focused primarily on young, healthy adults and acute administration, often using oral routes that yield low and variable bioavailability. Furthermore, the endocannabinoid system undergoes age-related changes, potentially altering CBD efficacy in older adults. This mini-review synthesizes current evidence on CBD and cognitive function, emphasizing age as a moderating factor, exploring pharmacokinetic challenges, and identifying key research gaps. The review calls for well-controlled trials in older adults using standardized cognitive measures, neuroimaging, and biomarker assessments. Understanding the age-specific impact of CBD on cognition is essential for evaluating its therapeutic potential in an aging society.
Keywords: Cannabidiol (CBD), cognitive aging, Neuroprotection, endocannabinoid system, older adults, Cognition
Received: 12 Jun 2025; Accepted: 30 Jul 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Binkowska, Mateja and Jakubowska. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Alicja Anna Binkowska, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Humanitas University in Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, Poland
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