Shared Health Hazard from Ingesting Marijuana through Smoking Weed and Edibles
New Article:
Get ready for a reality check on your cannabis habits! A groundbreaking study published in the journal JAMA Cardiology on May 28th of this year reveals a link between long-term cannabis use, whether smoked or consumed as edibles, and a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
This research challenges the common belief that THC, the principal psychoactive substance in cannabis, is relatively harmless—especially when ingested. Surprisingly, THC smokers have notably worse artery function than non-users, with their vascular function reduced by almost half compared to cannabis abstainers.
Co-author Matt Springer, a cardiovascular researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, expressed his apprehension about these findings, stating, "Scientifically, this THC result is really interesting, but boy does it screw up the public health messaging."
Aside from the cardiovascular risk, studies have found that long-term use of marijuana is connected to a 25% increased risk of heart attacks and a 42% increased risk of strokes for daily users, though experts still disagree on its precise health impacts.
The new study examined how cannabis affects vascular function by recruiting 55 healthy adults aged 18 to 50, who did not use any form of nicotine or were regularly exposed to secondhand smoke. Participants were grouped into marijuana smokers, edible users, and non-users, who consumed the drug at least three times per week.
To assess vascular function, the researchers measured the dilation of the brachial artery in the upper arm. They discovered that weed smokers and edible users had an average vessel dilation of 6.0% and 4.6%, respectively, which was considerably less than the non-users who showed an average vessel dilation of 10.4%. Normal vessel dilation in healthy individuals usually ranges from 8.0% to 15%.
In order to better understand the mechanisms behind these changes, the researchers conducted lab tests on the endothelial cells that form the linings of blood vessels and release nitric oxide to trigger dilation. The team discovered that the blood of chronic cannabis smokers inhibited nitric oxide production in the cells, which might explain the reduced vessel dilation observed in these participants.
However, this effect was not visible in edible consumers, suggesting that ingestible THC may influence arterial function via an entirely different mechanism. Further research is needed to figure out what this mechanism might be. Additionally, it's important to repeat these findings in larger study populations to validate the results.
Cannabis use among U.S. adults has reached unprecedented levels within the last few years, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In light of growing evidence that contradicts the perception of marijuana as a harmless high, investigating the health effects of THC and understanding its risks have become more crucial than ever before.
A correction from the initial publication: The article formerly stated that edible users demonstrated less severe artery impairment than smokers. In fact, this study showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups.
To Dig Deeper:The latest studies suggest a connection between long-term cannabis use and a rise in cardiovascular risks such as heart attacks, hypertension, and other cardiovascular conditions. This research also reveals that both smoking and consuming cannabis as edibles result in similar health risks. However, smokers have additional changes in their blood serum that are harmful to endothelial cells, which form the inner lining of blood and lymphatic vessels. Conversely, those who consume edibles do not show the same changes in blood serum.
Furthermore, the study found that chronic cannabis use leads to endothelial dysfunction, a condition characterized by improper functioning of the inner lining of blood vessels, which is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
- The study in JAMA Cardiology links long-term cannabis use, whether smoked or consumed, to a higher risk of developing chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases.
- The study conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found that THC smokers had significantly worse artery function than non-users, with reduced vascular function by nearly half.
- In addition to the cardiovascular risk, long-term use of marijuana is connected to a 25% increased risk of heart attacks and a 42% increased risk of strokes for daily users.
- The new study suggests that chronic cannabis use leads to endothelial dysfunction, a condition that is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
- The study also discovered that the blood of chronic cannabis smokers inhibited nitric oxide production in endothelial cells, which might explain the reduced vessel dilation observed in these participants.
- Researchers found no statistically significant difference between cannabis smokers and edible users in terms of artery impairment, contrary to the initial publication's statement. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind cannabis' influence on arterial function in edible consumers. Additionally, it's important to repeat these findings in larger study populations to validate the results.
