Cannabinoid Supplementation on Vascular and Cognitive Function

The Effects of Cannabinoids on Vascular and Cognitive Function in Young and Old Healthy Adults.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a bioactive cannabinoid compound in marijuana (cannabis sativa), but unlike Δ9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), lacks the psychoactivity effect of THC. Available evidence suggests that there are marked therapeutic CBD effects for diverse disease processes including inflammation, cancers, psychosis, and epileptic seizures. The purpose of this study, in both younger and older healthy humans, is to improve our understanding of how CBD might control and regulate blood vessel health as well as cognitive and exercise performance.

Inclusion Criteria:

• non-smoking
• non-obese
• between the ages of 18-30 & 60-75 years
• have no history of cardiopulmonary, liver, gastrointestinal, kidney or cerebrovascular disease.

Exclusion Criteria:

• are obese
• are taking prescription drugs or over-the-counter supplements that influence cardiovascular or nitric oxide metabolism
• have a history of smoking
• have history of cardiovascular, respiratory (including asthma) or neurological disease
• have known intolerance to ginseng or ginkgo herbals
• have kidney, gastrointestinal or liver disease
• have epilepsy
• have diabetes
• are pregnant or breast feeding
• do not speak English as first language
• a student in the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health
• medical or recreational use of cannabis
• clinically diagnosed anxiety or depression
• history of opioid use
• unwilling or unable to execute the informed consent documentation