Effects of Cannabidiol on Memory and Attention in Adults Aged 60-70: A Pilot Study

This pilot study aims to investigate the effects of a single oral dose of cannabidiol (CBD) on memory and attention in healthy adults aged 60 to 70 years. CBD is a naturally occurring compound found in cannabis that does not produce the intoxicating effects associated with THC. The main research question is whether CBD can improve episodic memory (the ability to remember previously learned information), working memory (the ability to temporarily hold and use information), and attention compared with placebo. The researchers hypothesize that participants will perform better on memory and attention tasks after receiving CBD than after receiving placebo. The study will involve approximately 50 healthy adults aged 60 to 70 years. Each participant will attend two study sessions, scheduled 14 to 30 days apart. During one session, participants will receive a single oral dose of 25 mg CBD, while during the other session, they will receive a placebo capsule containing no CBD. The order of administration will be randomly assigned, and neither the participants nor the researchers assessing their performance will know which capsule was administered during each session. Memory and attention will be evaluated using standardized memory tests and computer-based cognitive tasks. The findings will provide preliminary evidence on the potential effects of CBD on cognitive functioning in older adults.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 60 and 70 years. * No significant cognitive impairment, defined as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score \>26. * Not currently using cannabinoids. * Body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 30 kg/m². Exclusion Criteria: * Severe cardiovascular diseases (heart failure, coronary artery disease, advanced hypertension, previous myocardial infarction) or respiratory diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease \[COPD\], severe bronchial asthma, pulmonary fibrosis). * History of substance abuse. * Current or chronic somatic disorders. * History of severe psychiatric or neurological disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression requiring hospitalization, or neurological diseases such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, or brain injuries resulting in permanent cognitive deficits). * Use of medications that may have clinically significant interactions with cannabidiol, particularly medications metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system, such as antiepileptic drugs, anticoagulants, and some antidepressants and antipsychotics. * Substance use: smoking more than 5 cigarettes per day or use of CBD/THC within 30 days before the study (positive urine test for THC). * Inability to comply with study procedures.