Does CBD Help with Memory Loss?

Although there isn't currently direct evidence that CBD reverses or prevents memory loss, research may point to an indirect connection. Chronic stress is a known contributor to memory problems, and early studies suggest CBD may help lower stress and cortisol levels. If stress is what's clouding your recall, easing it may help. Here's what the science actually says about stress, memory, and where CBD fits in.

We all forget things from time to time, usually at the worst times possible. Have you ever been unable to remember where your car keys are just as you’re trying to get out the door? Forgotten the name of a new neighbor and so avoided running into them until you figured it out? Or not bought something you meant to at the grocery store, drawn a blank on that fact you just learned, or forgotten any number of other things ranging from the frivolous to the annoying to more serious?

How Does Stress Affect Memory?

Stress affects memory in both directions: unrelated or distracting stress interferes with focus and recall, while moderate stress tied to what you're learning can strengthen memory formation.

The way stress impacts our memories is nuanced and related to the way we acquire new information. Essentially, there are three steps to learning new things: 

• Acquisition — taking in new information
• Consolidation — storing that information in the brain
• Retrieval — recalling it later

On the one hand, short, momentary stress and anxiety can distract your attention and make it more difficult to concentrate, leading to imperfect acquisition and a lack of consolidation. Additionally, that same distraction can make it hard to recall things that are committed to memory. This phenomenon is especially common when you are stressed about something unrelated to the information you are learning.

On the other hand, moderate stress connected to the new information can actually have a positive effect on the first two steps. When stressed, your brain releases corticosteroids which trigger the amygdala to tell your hippocampus to consolidate a memory. Basically, this type of stress lets your brain know that the new thing or information in question is worth remembering.

It’s important to note that this positive effect only results from moderate stress when it is directly connected to new information you’re learning.

In addition to short term stress unrelated to new information leading to difficulties concentrating, long term, chronic stress can cause serious problems, even increasing your chances of developing dementia.

Can Chronic Stress Cause Memory Loss? 

Yes — prolonged stress raises cortisol levels, alters brain chemistry and structure, and has been linked to memory problems and measurable brain shrinkage even in healthy middle-aged adults.

If chronic stress goes on for too long, it will have damaging effects on your mental and physical health, including your ability to remember things. Over time stress begins to change your brain’s chemistry and structure, leading to hyperactivity in some areas and atrophy in other areas. It also decreases the levels of neurotransmitters (like serotonin, dopamine, and endocannabinoids) and alters their receptors.

Long term stress also leads to higher levels of cortisol, a hormone released by the body in response to stress. The problem is, according to a study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, increased cortisol levels have been linked to memory problems and even slight brain shrinkage in healthy adults in their late 40s.  

The lead author of the study, Dr. Justin B. Echouffo-Tcheugui, had this to say:

“We’re suggesting that if you have even a small elevation of cortisol, you may end up having some detrimental effects. In other words, maybe we need to revisit our threshold.”

Similarly, Dr. Pierre Fayad, Medical Director of the Nebraska Stroke Center and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, added this:

“Our brains need to be challenged enough to function and be stimulated, but when that challenge is continuous and overwhelming, without a break, it may lead to negative consequences.”

What Does the Research Say about CBD and Memory?

Direct research on CBD and human memory is limited, and most findings on cognitive protection come from early-stage animal studies rather than clinical trials.

Because it’s a component of the cannabis plant, many people associate CBD with its cousin cannabinoid, THC. Although some studies have linked THC to memory problems, a critical review conducted by the World Health Organization found that CBD is generally well tolerated in humans and does not appear to have abuse potential, though it can interact with other medications. Furthermore, there is some evidence indicating that CBD may actually help the brain and improve memory.

CBD and Memory: Stress Levels

CBD is thought to help stress through its interaction with the endocannabinoid system, which plays a vital role in our physiology, mood, and general day to day experience and perception. The endocannabinoid system is a network of receptors and signaling molecules that helps regulate mood, sleep, appetite, and the body's response to stress. It helps our bodies maintain emotional balance in the same manner as serotonin and dopamine do. For this reason, it is also deeply intertwined with our body’s reaction to stress.  Prolonged exposure to chronic stress can cause an endocannabinoid imbalance, which makes it even more difficult to escape from a stressful state.

Without diving too deeply into the brain chemistry, our bodies react to stress by overstimulating and under-stimulating various receptors (particularly our CB1 receptors) in order to alter chemical levels in our brains and nervous systems. This is an attempt by the body to solve the problem and shield us from further pain.

Although these bodily responses are necessary for us to properly deal with stress, periods of prolonged exposure can lead to too much manipulation of our brain’s chemical receptors. During times of chronic stress, the body’s initial overstimulation of CB1 receptors can actually cause it to backpedal and then under-stimulate those same receptors.  

This back and forth of stimulation can lead to a chemical imbalance in the brain. In other words, if your body initiates these stress responses for too long it begins to not know what to do and can essentially overreact.

CBD is thought to help chronic stress by preventing the overstimulation of our body’s CB1 receptors and by boosting our body’s production of endocannabinoids. This then reins in the body’s response to stress and helps lead to the proper chemical levels and a balanced emotional state. By possibly reducing acute and chronic stress levels, CBD may make it easier to learn, retain, and recall information.

Does CBD Lower Cortisol? 

By helping prevent the overstimulation of our body’s CB1 receptors, CBD may temper the body’s response to stress and reduce the the production of cortisol. This then helps lead to the proper chemical levels and a balanced emotional state.

A small 1993 double-blind study administered 11 “normal” patients with CBD or a placebo to determine its effects on plasma prolactin, growth hormone, and cortisol. Although prolactin and growth hormone levels remained the same in the presence of CBD, cortisol levels dropped significantly.

By reducing cortisol, CBD may help prevent its detrimental effects on our memory.

Should You Take CBD for Memory?

As it stands now with the knowledge we currently have, the greatest value that CBD has in preventing memory loss is through the reduction of stress. Although acute stress has the potential to be good or bad for our memories, chronic stress can have serious long term negative effects. The more we can reduce consistent stress levels, the better our memories, brains, and bodies as a whole will be. As we learn more about CBD’s effect on stress, it will have big implications for CBD’s effect on our memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CBD cause memory loss?
There's no evidence that CBD causes memory loss; the memory effects commonly associated with cannabis are linked to THC, not CBD.

Can CBD help with brain fog?
CBD isn't proven to treat brain fog, though some people use it to manage stress, which is a common contributor.

Does CBD lower cortisol levels?
One small early study found CBD reduced cortisol in healthy volunteers, but the evidence base is limited and not yet confirmed by large clinical trials.

Is CBD good for Alzheimer's or dementia?
No — CBD is not an approved or proven treatment for Alzheimer's or dementia, and current research is preclinical.

How does stress cause memory problems?
Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which over time alters brain chemistry and structure in regions involved in forming and retrieving memories.

Is CBD safe to take daily?
CBD is generally well tolerated, but it can interact with prescription medications, so check with your doctor before regular use.