Research study · Scientific Reports · 2026
Age differences in endocannabinoid tone are ameliorated after recent cannabis use
Verified on PubMed
A 2026 study in Scientific Reports tested cannabis in aging. Older adults exhibited lower baseline plasma AEA and DEA than younger adults, and lower LEA than midlife adults. This study shows that older adults have lower levels of certain endocannabinoids compared to younger adults, but using cannabis can temporarily increase these levels more significantly in.
In plain language
Study overview
Older adults demonstrate diminished baseline levels of specific endocannabinoids and NAEs (AEA, DEA, LEA), reflecting age-related endocannabinoid system decline. However, acute cannabis administration effectively elevates circulating NAEs across all age groups, with older adults exhibiting even greater relative increases in AEA and DEA, highlighting potential therapeutic mechanisms for symptom management in aging populations.
Findings
Older adults exhibited lower baseline plasma AEA and DEA than younger adults, and lower LEA than midlife adults. Acute cannabis use significantly increased circulating levels of AEA, DEA, LEA, PEA, SEA, and OEA across all age groups (all p < .001); 2-AG did not increase. For AEA and DEA, acute increases were significantly larger in older adults compared to younger adults.
The deeper readScientific analysis
An age-related decline in endocannabinoid system (ECS) activity may contribute to conditions such as chronic pain and Alzheimer's disease. Although cannabis is increasingly used by older adults to alleviate age-related conditions, it remains unclear how cannabinoids affect ECS activity across the lifespan. The present study assayed levels of seven endocannabinoids (AEA, 2-AG, DEA, LEA, PEA, SEA, and OEA) in a sample of adults (N=142; younger 21-24 years, n=38; midlife 25-54, n=73; older 55-71, n=31) assayed before cannabis use (baseline [pre-use]) and ~1 h after flower or ~2 h after edible cannabis use. At baseline, older adults exhibited lower AEA and DEA than younger adults, and lower LEA than midlife adults. Acute cannabis use increased AEA, DEA, LEA, PEA, SEA, and OEA across all age groups (all p<.001). 2-AG showed no increase. For AEA and DEA, increases were larger in older adults (Time×Age). These findings indicate broad endocannabinoid elevations after cannabis use regardless of age, alongside age-related differences at baseline and in acute responses.
The paper
Citation
Morris AWJ, Mueller RL, Sempio C, Klawitter J, Bryan AD, Bidwell LC, et al. Age differences in endocannabinoid tone are ameliorated after recent cannabis use. Scientific Reports (2026). PubMed 41580496 · DOI
Limitations the authors noted
Cross-sectional design limits causal inference. Time since last cannabis use prior to baseline was not ascertained and abstinence was not biochemically verified. Ad libitum dosing of dispensary products reduces experimental control. Coarse age groupings limit continuous age trajectory analyses.
In practice
Why this matters
This study shows that older adults have lower levels of certain endocannabinoids compared to younger adults, but using cannabis can temporarily increase these levels more significantly in older adults. However, the study is limited by its cross-sectional design and lack of control over cannabis doses, so it does not provide definitive evidence for long-term benefits or specific therapeutic effects.
Browse related research
Condition: Aging Topic: Cannabinoids Topic: Cannabis Topic: Endocannabinoids
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Reviewed by Dr. Caplan on October 11, 2026.
This page is general education about a published study. It is not medical advice and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. For care specific to you, book a consultation.
