‘DOUBLE HIT’: Weed and edibles may be harming hearts more than you think, study suggests

International

LIGHTING up or biting into a THC edible may do more than just alter your state of mind. New research suggests it could be quietly affecting your heart and blood vessels, even in otherwise healthy individuals.

A pilot study from the University of California, San Francisco found early signs of cardiovascular dysfunction in regular cannabis users. Whether smoked or consumed as edibles, marijuana use was linked to impaired vascular function similar to that observed in tobacco smokers.

“To my knowledge, it’s the first study looking at THC’s impact on vascular function in humans,” Matthew Springer, professor of medicine at UCSF and senior author of the study, said in a CNN report

The study involved 55 adults between the ages of 18 and 50, none of whom used tobacco or nicotine products. Participants were divided into three groups: marijuana smokers, THC edible consumers, and nonusers. Each cannabis user reported using the substance at least three times a week for one year.

Researchers used ultrasound to examine how well each participant’s arteries expanded after temporarily cutting off and restoring blood flow to the arm. Compared to nonusers, marijuana smokers had a 42 percent reduction in vascular function. For those who consumed edibles, the reduction was even greater at 56 percent.

Springer explained that these results suggest the blood vessels were less able to expand when needed, which is considered an early indicator of potential cardiovascular disease. Although no arterial plaque was detected in participants, the inability of blood vessels to widen in real time points to long-term risks.

Lead author Dr. Leila Mohammadi said the degree of vascular damage appeared to increase with higher cannabis use. She added that both the frequency and potency of cannabis intake may influence cardiovascular health.

To further explore the causes, the researchers exposed lab-grown endothelial cells to blood serum from the participants. Cells exposed to blood from edible users continued to function normally. In contrast, cells exposed to blood from marijuana smokers released 27 percent less nitric oxide, a chemical that helps vessels dilate. This pattern echoed previous findings from Springer’s team on tobacco exposure.

Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver, said the results challenge assumptions that edibles and other non-smoking cannabis products are risk-free. “Could it be that other forms of marijuana — teas, tinctures, edibles — are perhaps not as benign as we once thought?” he said in the same report.

Freeman noted that although lab results didn’t show immediate harm from edibles, the vascular dysfunction seen in users still raises concerns. He said more research is needed to determine whether there is a safe level of cannabis use that avoids harm.

Previous studies have linked marijuana use to higher risks of heart attack and stroke, even in people without existing cardiovascular issues. The American Heart Association recommends avoiding smoking and vaping any substance, including cannabis, due to the potential damage to the heart, lungs, and blood vessels.

The UCSF researchers cautioned that their study shows an association rather than a direct cause. They called for larger, long-term studies to confirm their findings and better understand the mechanisms involved. Still, the results suggest that cannabis use, whether smoked or eaten, may carry more cardiovascular risk than previously believed.(MyTVCebu)