Cannabis use linked to poorer blood vessel health

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-05-29 01:00

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People who use cannabis, either smoking the drug or taking edibles, may have poor blood vessel health, similar to that seen in tobacco smokers, according to US research. The small study looked at whether cannabis use is linked to vascular endothelial dysfunction, a measure of the health of blood vessels. They found endothelial dysfunction in otherwise healthy cannabis users, suggesting an increased risk of early development of vascular disease.

Media release

From: JAMA

Association of Endothelial Dysfunction With Chronic Marijuana Smoking and THC-Edible Use

JAMA Cardiology
Brief Report

About The Study: This cross-sectional study found that chronic cannabis smoking and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) ingestion were associated with endothelial dysfunction similar to that observed in tobacco smokers, although apparently occurring via distinct mechanisms.

(doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2025.1399)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Cardiology

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of California, USA

Funder: This research was supported by grants R01DA058069 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, RG-1603151328-913 from the California Department of Cannabis Control, 27IR-0012 from the California Tobacco-Related Disease Program, U54HL120163 from the NHLBI and the FDA Center for Tobacco Products, from the Elfenworks Foundation in memory of Deb O’Keefe, the Roy E. Thomas Medical Foundation, and the Gootter-Jensen Foundation.

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