Consuming cannabis-infused brownies and gummies instead of smoking may seem less harmful. However, recent studies indicate that, similar to smoking cannabis, ingesting foods rich in Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can adversely affect cardiovascular health over time.
The research reveals that “chronic marijuana smokers display functional vessel impairments comparable to those seen in chronic tobacco users.” Matt Springer, a cardiovascular researcher at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), led this study. “It seems that consuming THC is also associated with this concern.”
This study was published on May 28th in Jama Cardiology, which challenges commonly held beliefs about cannabis’s health implications.
“There’s a widespread perception that marijuana poses no danger to cardiovascular health,” stated Dr. Robert Croner, director of Cardiovascular Research at the Huntington Institute of Medical Sciences in Pasadena, California, who did not partake in this study.
While there’s ongoing debate around cannabis’s health effects, UCSF’s research suggests evidence that cannabis could increase the risk of cardiovascular issues, including heart attacks and strokes, particularly in individuals with Coronary Artery Disease or other risk factors like hypertension and diabetes that contribute to arterial narrowing.
Cannabis and Heart Health
To investigate the impact of cannabis on cardiovascular health, Springer and his team studied 55 adults, categorizing them into three groups: cannabis smokers, edible users, and non-cannabis users. They specifically focused on participants who reported using cannabis at least three times weekly.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Leila Mohammadi, noted that their stringent recruitment criteria, while potentially limiting sample size, helped to eliminate other factors such as tobacco use and pre-existing health conditions that could influence vascular health.
To assess vascular function, the researchers temporarily restricted blood flow using inflatable cuffs on participants’ upper arms. They employed ultrasound imaging to evaluate arterial diameter before and after the release of pressure, measuring the percentage change from the baseline.
Springer mentioned that impaired blood vessel expansion in response to increased blood flow raises the risk of adverse cardiovascular events, including heart attacks.
Participants who didn’t use cannabis displayed an average artery dilation of 10.4%. In contrast, cannabis smokers and edible consumers exhibited average dilation of 6.0% and 4.6%, respectively. This reduction in dilation mirrors findings from previous studies on chronic cigarette smokers.
Increased cannabis use, measured by the frequency of use or the amount of THC consumed in edibles weekly, correlated with more significant impairment in vascular dilation.
To further understand how cannabis impacts vascular function, researchers analyzed blood samples to see their effects on endothelial cells, which line blood vessels and produce nitric oxide to promote dilation.
This dilation process can be influenced by a substance called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, when endothelial cells were exposed to blood samples from cannabis smokers, the blood inhibited VEGF-induced nitric oxide production. In contrast, blood samples from edible users and non-consumers did not affect nitric oxide release, suggesting that cannabis smoke and ingested THC may impact cardiovascular health through different pathways. This aligns with prior research from the same team that found cannabis smoke containing THC adversely affected blood vessels in mice.
The current study highlights the link between cannabis use and vascular function, though it does not establish causation. One collaborator previously indicated that cannabis may stiffen blood vessel walls without affecting dilation, contrary to the current findings. Thus, further research is warranted.
Springer added that occasional users of cannabis may not experience the same effects, as this study focused on regular users.
As efforts for drug legalization gain momentum at the state level, cannabis is becoming increasingly accessible. However, further studies on its health effects lag behind, according to Croner. He emphasizes that despite state legalization, cannabis remains illegal federally, which complicates research efforts.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice.
Source: www.livescience.com