Study: Chronic Cannabis Use Harms Cardiovascular Health

A UC San Francisco-led study published in JAMA Cardiology found that chronic cannabis use, whether smoked or consumed as edibles, is linked to significantly impaired blood vessel function, similar to effects seen in tobacco smokers. The study involved 55 healthy adults who used cannabis at least three times a week for a year or more and showed that vascular function in these users was reduced by about half compared to non-users, raising the risk of heart attacks, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases. Marijuana smokers exhibited blood serum changes harmful to endothelial cells, while edible users did not, suggesting different mechanisms of harm. Both forms of THC use were found to carry cardiovascular risks, challenging perceptions that edibles are harmless. The study establishes an association but not causation, and experts emphasize the need for larger studies. These findings suggest cannabis use may have serious implications for heart health.