CBD Shows Promise for Extending Healthy Lifespan in Preclinical Aging Models

CBD extends healthspan and lifespan in C. elegans and other model organisms. Mechanistic studies show CBD works through autophagy induction and activation of antioxidative systems. Emerging evidence also suggests cannabinoids may inhibit cellular senescence. CBD improved age-related behavioral dysfunction in both healthy and accelerated aging models.

Narrative review synthesizing preclinical research on cannabinoids and aging across multiple model systems, with particular emphasis on studies using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Examines endocannabinoid system involvement in aging regulation and exogenous cannabinoid effects on healthspan markers.

With aging populations worldwide, anti-aging interventions that target fundamental aging processes could address multiple age-related diseases simultaneously. CBD's ability to extend healthspan in multiple model organisms, combined with its established safety profile in humans, makes it a particularly interesting candidate for translational aging research.

The endocannabinoid system declines with age, and this decline may contribute to aging processes. If exogenous cannabinoids can compensate for this decline, cannabis-derived compounds could join the small list of interventions (alongside caloric restriction and rapamycin) with demonstrated anti-aging effects across species.

Most evidence comes from simple model organisms like C. elegans, which differ enormously from humans in biology and lifespan regulation. Translation to mammalian systems remains a critical gap. Human aging studies with cannabinoids are essentially non-existent.