“New study links cannabis edibles to increased risk of early-onset heart disease.”

A recent study from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), published on May 28 in JAMA Cardiology, has raised significant concerns about the cardiovascular risks associated with chronic cannabis use, including both smoking and edible consumption. The research involved 55 healthy participants aged 18 to 50 who consumed cannabis at least three times a week for over a year. Notably, none of the participants used tobacco or were frequently exposed to secondhand smoke. The study found that both smoking marijuana and consuming THC-laced edibles led to a reduction in vascular function, with edible users experiencing a 56% decrease and smokers a 42% decrease compared to non-users .kfiam640.iheart.com

Endothelial dysfunction, characterized by impaired blood vessel dilation, was observed in both groups. This condition is an early indicator of potential cardiovascular issues such as heart attacks and strokes. Interestingly, while smokers exhibited changes in blood serum that adversely affected endothelial cells, edible users did not show this specific alteration. However, the overall vascular impairment was still significant in the edible group, suggesting that THC itself may contribute to vascular damage through mechanisms distinct from those associated with smoking .sfgate.com+3healthline.com+3kfiam640.iheart.com+3sfgate.com+3powershealth.org+3healthline.com+3sfgate.com+4nypost.com+4kfiam640.iheart.com+4

These findings challenge the prevailing notion that edibles are a safer alternative to smoking cannabis. Senior study author Dr. Matthew Springer emphasized the need for further research to understand the long-term implications of these vascular changes and to determine safe consumption levels. He also cautioned against assuming that cannabis use is harmless, highlighting the potential for THC to negatively impact heart health .

While the study does not establish a direct causal relationship between cannabis use and cardiovascular disease, the observed associations warrant attention. As cannabis consumption becomes more prevalent, particularly with the increasing use of edibles, these findings underscore the importance of continued research to fully understand the health implications and to inform public health guidelines.