The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has selected cannabidiol (CBD) for preliminary testing through a federal research program investigating whether certain compounds can extend lifespan and delay age-related diseases.
The selection follows a proposal submitted by Lisa Hensley, a researcher at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. A second proposal from Hensley involving berberine, a naturally occurring plant compound, was also accepted for pilot testing, according to an October 13 announcement from the university.
Both compounds will be evaluated through the National Institute on Aging’s Interventions Testing Program (ITP), which conducts standardized research examining potential treatments that could slow biological aging.
The federal program accepts up to six interventions annually, making CBD’s selection a significant step toward determining whether the marijuana-derived compound warrants more extensive research into its potential effects on longevity.
Initial testing will examine whether CBD meets the requirements for larger animal studies. The program’s preliminary evaluations generally assess compound stability when incorporated into mouse food, absorption into the bloodstream and potential toxicity.
Compounds that successfully complete this phase can advance to Stage I testing, during which researchers administer the substances to genetically diverse mice and monitor their survival to determine whether treatment extends lifespan.
The testing is conducted at three independent research institutions: the University of Michigan, The Jackson Laboratory and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
If promising results emerge, compounds can advance to additional testing involving different doses, treatment schedules and measurements of age-related health conditions.
Hensley said her interest in CBD and berberine stems partly from their widespread use and their potential effects on biological processes associated with aging, including inflammation and metabolism.
“Both are already widely used or increasingly popular with the public, often with claims that extend well beyond what has been rigorously tested,” Hensley said.
The researcher emphasized the importance of independently evaluating these substances under standardized conditions rather than relying on preliminary findings or consumer claims.
According to the National Institute on Aging, the Interventions Testing Program has operated since 2002 and uses a multistage process to evaluate compounds proposed by researchers, universities and other organizations.
The program has identified 15 individual agents and two combinations that significantly increased median lifespan in its animal studies, according to Southern Illinois University.
CBD’s acceptance does not establish that the cannabinoid extends lifespan or improves age-related health outcomes. The upcoming pilot testing will determine whether it is suitable for full-scale longevity studies.
Researchers who submit accepted proposals participate in developing study protocols and interpreting results. The program makes its lifespan findings publicly available following publication, including studies in which treatments fail to extend lifespan.
