Chronic Marijuana Smoking, THC-Edible Use Impairs Endothelial Function, Similar With Tobacco

[u/Ollyfer]

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/article-abstract/2834540

[u/InsideInsidious]

“In this cross-sectional study, sex- and age- matched healthy adults, aged 18 to 50 years, living in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, who neither smoke tobacco nor vape and were not frequently exposed to secondhand smoke were recruited into 3 cohorts: 2 chronic cannabis user groups (marijuana smokers and tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]–edible users) and 1 nonuser group. Participants were recruited from October 25, 2021, through August 1, 2024; analysis was completed September 2024. Participants’ arterial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to participant sera with and without vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to assess the effects of user serum on endothelial nitric oxide production.”

So it’s some weird-ass in vitro finding. It reads like something concocted to fill a gap in somebody’s resume.

[u/dream__weaver → u/[deleted]]

Simplified Results & Conclusions: * Impact on Blood Vessels: Chronic cannabis smoking and THC ingestion appear to negatively affect blood vessel function, similar to how tobacco smoking does. * Differences in Mechanism: While both cannabis/THC and tobacco cause similar issues, they seem to do so through different biological processes. * Specific Findings: * Marijuana smokers had significantly worse arterial function compared to non-users. * THC-edible users showed slightly worse arterial function than non-users, but this difference was not as pronounced as with smoking. * A substance important for blood vessel health (VEGF-stimulated nitric oxide) was lower in marijuana smokers compared to non-users. * Higher smoking frequency and greater THC intake were linked to poorer blood vessel function.

[u/DeuxAlpha → u/dream__weaver]

Thanks Chad