Older adults are the fastest-growing group of cannabis users, but research on how it affects aging brains and hearts is just beginning
A narrative review found that most older adults who use cannabis do so for medical purposes like pain and insomnia, but cardiovascular risks, cognitive effects during aging, and potential for treating neurodegeneration remain poorly studied.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Most older adults who use cannabis report doing so for medical purposes, primarily targeting pain, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Many do not discuss cannabis use with their medical providers. Emerging evidence from younger populations suggests cardiovascular risks of heavy use, but this has not been thoroughly studied in aging adults.
Key Numbers
Most older adult cannabis users report medical purposes. Common targets: pain, insomnia, anxiety, depression. Many do not discuss use with providers. Cardiovascular risks documented in younger populations but unstudied in seniors.
How They Did This
Narrative review synthesizing current literature on cannabis use trends, health considerations, and preclinical models relevant to older adult populations.
Why This Research Matters
The older adult population is growing and using cannabis at increasing rates, yet clinical trials and safety data are almost entirely from younger populations. Age-related changes in metabolism, cardiovascular health, and cognition create unique risk profiles.
The Bigger Picture
Cannabis sits in an interesting tension for older adults: it may help with common aging complaints (pain, sleep, appetite) while also carrying understudied risks for the cardiovascular and cognitive systems most vulnerable to aging.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Narrative review without systematic methodology. Limited evidence base specific to older adults. Most existing data extrapolated from younger populations.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does cannabis accelerate or slow cognitive decline in aging?
- ?How do age-related changes in metabolism affect cannabis safety and dosing?
- ?Why are many older adults not discussing cannabis use with their providers?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Fastest-growing demographic of cannabis users; most for medical purposes
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: narrative review identifying important knowledge gaps with limited direct evidence from older adult populations.
- Study Age:
- Published 2026.
- Original Title:
- Recent Trends in Cannabis Use in Adults Ages 60 Years and Older.
- Published In:
- Substance abuse and rehabilitation, 17, 560360 (2026)
- Authors:
- Thayer, Rachel E, Anquillare, Elizabeth, Coromac-Medrano, Juliamaria, Hardin, Emily E, Hatcher, Kyle, Hermann, Greta E
- Database ID:
- RTHC-08659
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research without a strict systematic method.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Is cannabis safe for older adults?
The evidence is incomplete. Most cannabis safety data comes from younger populations, and age-related changes in cardiovascular health and cognition may create different risk profiles that need dedicated research.
Why do older adults use cannabis?
Most report medical purposes, particularly for pain, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Many do not discuss their use with healthcare providers.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-08659APA
Thayer, Rachel E; Anquillare, Elizabeth; Coromac-Medrano, Juliamaria; Hardin, Emily E; Hatcher, Kyle; Hermann, Greta E. (2026). Recent Trends in Cannabis Use in Adults Ages 60 Years and Older.. Substance abuse and rehabilitation, 17, 560360. https://doi.org/10.2147/SAR.S560360
MLA
Thayer, Rachel E, et al. "Recent Trends in Cannabis Use in Adults Ages 60 Years and Older.." Substance abuse and rehabilitation, 2026. https://doi.org/10.2147/SAR.S560360
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Recent Trends in Cannabis Use in Adults Ages 60 Years and Ol..." RTHC-08659. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/thayer-2026-recent-trends-in-cannabis
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.