Marijuana improved spatial learning in both young and old female rats, but combined with estrogen had negative effects in older rats
Marijuana improved spatial learning in both young and old female rats, but when combined with estrogen in older rats, the two substances interfered with each other through the GPR30 estrogen receptor.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Marijuana alone improved spatial learning in both young and old female rats. Estradiol improved memory in young but not old rats. In old rats, combining marijuana and estradiol produced negative interaction effects on spatial learning and memory, mediated by the GPR30 receptor. Hippocampal BDNF did not play a role in these interaction effects.
Key Numbers
Young rats: 5-7 months; old rats: 22-24 months. Treatment duration: 28 days. GPR30 mediated the negative interaction between marijuana and estradiol in old rats only.
How They Did This
Young (5-7 months) and old (22-24 months) ovariectomized female rats received estradiol, GPR30 agonist/antagonist, and/or marijuana for 28 days. Spatial learning and memory assessed using the Morris water maze. Hippocampal BDNF measured by ELISA.
Why This Research Matters
With both cannabis use and hormone replacement therapy common in older women, understanding how these substances interact in the aging brain has practical clinical implications.
The Bigger Picture
The age-dependent interaction between cannabis and estrogen suggests that hormonal status may be an important factor in how cannabis affects cognition, particularly in postmenopausal women.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Animal model with ovariectomized rats, not natural aging. Marijuana extract composition not fully detailed. Morris water maze is one measure of cognition. GPR30 mechanisms may differ in humans.
Questions This Raises
- ?Should postmenopausal women on hormone therapy be cautioned about cannabis use?
- ?Does this interaction occur with CBD or only THC?
- ?Would naturally cycling hormones produce different results?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Marijuana + estrogen interaction was negative in old rats but not young
- Evidence Grade:
- Animal study with relevant age and sex comparisons, but limited translational value.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- The different role of G-protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) in the interaction effects of marijuana and estradiol on spatial learning and memory at different ages.
- Published In:
- Brain research bulletin, 178, 155-163 (2022)
- Authors:
- Chahkandi, Mohadeseh(2), Sepehri, Gholamreza, Komeili, Gholamreza(2), Hadad, Mohammad Khaksari, Haghparast, Elham, Chahkandi, Majid
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03750
Evidence Hierarchy
Tests effects in animals (usually mice or rats), not humans.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does marijuana affect cognition differently at different ages?
In this study, marijuana alone improved spatial learning in both young and old female rats. However, its interaction with estrogen was age-dependent: neutral in young rats but negative in old rats.
What is GPR30?
GPR30 is a G-protein-coupled receptor that mediates some effects of estrogen in the brain. In older rats, this receptor was responsible for the negative interaction between marijuana and estrogen on spatial learning.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03750APA
Chahkandi, Mohadeseh; Sepehri, Gholamreza; Komeili, Gholamreza; Hadad, Mohammad Khaksari; Haghparast, Elham; Chahkandi, Majid. (2022). The different role of G-protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) in the interaction effects of marijuana and estradiol on spatial learning and memory at different ages.. Brain research bulletin, 178, 155-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.11.006
MLA
Chahkandi, Mohadeseh, et al. "The different role of G-protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) in the interaction effects of marijuana and estradiol on spatial learning and memory at different ages.." Brain research bulletin, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.11.006
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "The different role of G-protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) ..." RTHC-03750. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/chahkandi-2022-the-different-role-of
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.