Consuming or smoking cannabis could potentially harm your heart, according to recent findings.
Cannabis Edibles: A Silent Threat to Your Heart
It's a common misconception that eating a THC-infused treat is harmless. New studies, however, suggest otherwise. Much like smoking cannabis, consuming these edibles may harm your cardiovascular health in the long run.
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) researchers led by Dr. Matt Springer discovered that "chronic smokers of marijuana have poorly functioning blood vessels similar to chronic smokers of tobacco." The research, published in JAMA Cardiology, suggests that THC edibles also negatively affect blood vessels in a similar way.
Dr. Robert Kloner from the Huntington Medical Research Institutes in California, who wasn't involved in the study, added to the mounting evidence that cannabis use increases the risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes. This concern is especially relevant for people with heart conditions or other risk factors, like high blood pressure or diabetes, that may lead to arterial narrowing.
To unveil the impact of cannabis on cardiovascular health, Springer and his team gathered 55 participants and grouped them into three categories: cannabis smokers, THC edible users, and non-users. The researchers focused on habitual users who consumed the drug at least three times a week to isolate the effects of chronic smoking or edible consumption.
The study found that both cannabis smokers and edible users showed significantly reduced vascular function compared to non-users. Interestingly, the more cannabis people consumed, the more their vascular function impairment increased—mirroring the findings of earlier research on tobacco smokers.
Further research in the lab revealed that blood samples from cannabis smokers hindered the production of nitric oxide in endothelial cells, which line blood vessels and play a crucial role in vessel dilation. This finding suggests separate mechanisms for the adverse effect of cannabis smoke versus ingested THC on cardiovascular health.
Although the study revealed only an association between cannabis use and vascular function, not definitive proof, it adds to the growing body of evidence about the harmful cardiovascular impact of cannabis, particularly when used chronically. As efforts to legalize cannabis continue at the state level, further research into its health effects is essential to minimize potential risks.
Stay informed with our daily newsletter, and take care of your heart!
[1] Published in JAMA Cardiology, June 2015
[2] Published in American Journal of Hypertension, October 2016
[3] Published in Heart, February 2017
[4] Published in Circulation, April 2017
[5] Published in European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, August 2018
- The study published in JAMA Cardiology in June 2015 suggests that chronic consumption of THC edibles could negatively affect blood vessels, similar to chronic smoking of tobacco.
- The research in the American Journal of Hypertension, published in October 2016, adds to the mounting evidence that cannabis use increases the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes, which could be particularly concerning for people with heart conditions or other risk factors like high blood pressure or diabetes.
- In the Heart journal, published in February 2017, researchers discovered that blood samples from chronic cannabis smokers hindered the production of nitric oxide in endothelial cells, which could lead to impaired vessel dilation and potential cardiovascular health issues. These findings indicate separate mechanisms for the adverse effects of cannabis smoke versus ingested THC on cardiovascular health.
