A recent study conducted by researchers at UC San Francisco has revealed that both smoking marijuana and consuming edible cannabis products, like gummies, can significantly impact cardiovascular health.
The study, published in JAMA Cardiology on May 28, 2024, indicates that long-term cannabis use in any form is associated with reduced blood vessel functionality, ultimately increasing the risk of heart disease.
The research involved 55 participants aged between 18 and 50, all deemed ‘outwardly healthy.’ They were divided into three categories: regular cannabis smokers, those consuming edibles containing THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and a control group that did not use cannabis.
Participants in the cannabis-using groups had engaged with the substance at least three times a week for a minimum of one year. The smokers had an average history of around 10 years of use, while the edible users had been consuming cannabis for approximately five years.
The testing, conducted in September 2024, aimed to assess the participants’ vascular function and the effects on the cells lining their blood vessels. The findings were concerning; cannabis users exhibited diminished vascular function comparable to that of tobacco smokers.
On average, the blood vessel function of cannabis users was approximately half that of the non-users. This compromised functionality is associated with a heightened risk of adverse cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and high blood pressure.
Interestingly, the smokers displayed changes in their blood serum harmful to the endothelial cells lining both their blood and lymphatic vessels. Such effects were not observed in those consuming cannabis edibles.
The researchers noted that smoking marijuana and ingesting edibles likely impair vascular function through different mechanisms, despite both resulting in detrimental effects.
“Chronic cannabis smoking and THC ingestion were associated with endothelial dysfunction similar to that observed in tobacco smokers, although apparently occurring via distinct mechanisms,” the researchers stated in their study.
This study is notable in enhancing the understanding of potential cardiovascular risks linked to cannabis use, highlighting that these effects are not benign.
Dr. Bradley Serwer, a cardiologist in Maryland and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, commented on the study, expressing that he was not surprised by the findings. He emphasized that prior studies have already indicated the negative health ramifications associated with chronic THC use.
While illuminating, the study does have certain limitations. The authors acknowledged that variability in cannabis strains poses challenges to standardization.
Additionally, the reliance on self-reported cannabis usage introduces the possibility of recall bias. Participants were questioned multiple times regarding their cannabis consumption, in attempts to mitigate this issue.
There was also difficulty in discerning whether other lifestyle factors—such as stress, caffeine consumption, and potential exposure to secondhand smoke—might have influenced blood vessel function assessments.
Dr. Serwer remarked on the small sample size of the study, which included only 55 participants from the San Francisco Bay Area. He pointed out that due to the lack of variability in cannabis strains and reliance on self-reporting, the study’s findings might not be wholly representative.
Furthermore, he stressed that while the focus was on physiological endpoints, the absence of hard endpoints like heart attacks, strokes, or mortality means one must infer potential cardiovascular events from the observed physiological changes.
Nevertheless, Dr. Serwer agrees with the study’s conclusion that cannabis use entails cardiovascular risks. He advised that patients should be cautious of unnecessary cardiac risks and consider both the benefits and risks of cannabis use when making decisions about its consumption.
“As clinicians, we must weigh the benefits and the risks of a medicine/drug or intervention. If the risks outweigh the benefits, it should be avoided,” he concluded.
The research received funding from several reputable organizations, including the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the California Department of Cannabis Control, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, among others.
Fox News Digital also reached out to cannabis industry organizations for their perspective, although responses are yet to be issued.
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