Boreta

Smoking or consuming edible cannabis poses the same risk to your arteries as smoking tobacco. Published this week, a study compared marijuana smokers, THC-edibles users, and non-users and found that both groups of cannabis users exhibited similarly compromised vascular function and flexibility as tobacco smokers. Findings 1/ This was indicated by significantly reduced flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a key marker of arterial and endothelial health. 2/ Non-users had an average FMD of 10.4%, while marijuana smokers and edible users showed declines of over 40% and 50%, respectively, with average FMD levels of 6% and 4.6%. 3/ Additionally, marijuana smoking appeared to interfere with the beneficial effects of VEGF, a factor crucial for vascular health, in releasing nitric oxide, which is essential for proper blood flow and circulation. Conclusion 4/ Overall, the findings suggest that marijuana use, whether smoked or ingested, is associated with comparable levels of vascular impairment to tobacco smoking. Significance 5/ While acknowledging the risks and harms of all addictions, this study warrants dedicating special attention to weed in its various forms and the need for increased awareness regarding the health hazards of marijuana, especially given the growing trend of use upon the latest waves of legalization.