The pros and cons of marijuana use are complex and are constantly being updated as new research emerges and the drug becomes more popular thanks to decriminalization laws. A new study led by the researchers significantly lowered the weight on the “cons” side of the scale. Daily marijuana use is associated with his 34% increase in coronary artery disease compared to users. I never took drugs.
As marijuana use becomes more acceptable, researchers struggle to understand how the various compounds in the cannabis plant affect those who use it. , saw a study link heavy metals in plants to the likelihood of developing chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Another shown to be associated with increased rebound headaches in migraine sufferers. And yet another showing that super-potent strains of marijuana may increase the incidence of psychotic disorders.
In the positive column, cannabis shows the ability to reduce seizures in children with epilepsy by a whopping 86%. Reduces intestinal inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Improve insomnia. Reduces symptoms of OCD.
This latest study on the health effects of marijuana by researchers at Stanford University found that daily users of the drug were about 100% more likely to develop coronary artery disease (CAD) than those who had never tried it. It shows one-third higher. CAD is characterized by the buildup of plaque on the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart.
This study used the All of Us Research Program as a dataset. The program is an initiative by the National Institutes of Health to accelerate research studies by collecting lifestyle and health data from one million of her people in the United States. When the Stanford University scientist did his research, the system had detailed information from his 175,000 people.
Researchers used self-reported data to determine marijuana use and compared it with rates of CAD diagnoses. Such studies are notoriously difficult to derive causality, so researchers not only adjust for age, sex, and major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, but also Mendelian randomization. We also used a technique known as
This approach examines genetic markers of behavior that shape causality. In this case, the team looked at genetic markers that lead to cannabis use disorders (psychiatric conditions that lead to frequent cannabis use and dependence) and CAD.
A 2-Minute Primer on Mendelian Randomization
After applying these filters, researchers came to conclusions about the cardiovascular harms of daily marijuana use.
“We found that cannabis use was associated with CAD,” said Ishan Paranjpe, M.D., Ph.D., resident physician at Stanford University. There seems to be a First author of the study. “In terms of public health messages, it shows that there may be certain harms of cannabis use that were not previously recognized and that people should take into account.” It also says cannabis users should be honest with their doctors about taking the drug so that health care professionals are aware of potential complications.
THC and inflammation
The new study ties in with the results of a 2022 study also led by researchers at Stanford University, which found that THC causes inflammation in endothelial cells in the lab. These are the cells that line your blood vessels, and when inflamed, your risk of heart attack spikes.
“Marijuana has significant negative effects on the cardiovascular system,” said Mark Chandy, co-lead author of the study at the time. Our studies in human cells and mice clearly demonstrate how THC exposure initiates a damaging molecular cascade within blood vessels. not.”
Now that the relationship between marijuana use and heart disease has strengthened, researchers now feel that this finding will help them better understand and treat cardiovascular problems.
“From a scientific perspective, these findings are exciting because they suggest that there may be new drug targets and mechanisms that could be explored to regulate this pathway in the future. is,” said Paranjpe.
Although the study did not distinguish between ways of consuming marijuana, such as smoking marijuana as a plant or consuming it as a food or tincture, the researchers hope to consider these distinctions separately in the future. We believe that it may be useful in the efforts of There was no significant increase in CAD when he took only one dose per month.
The study will be presented at the 2023 American College of Cardiology Congress in New Orleans, March 4-6.
Source: American College of Cardiology
