If accurate, this may be unwelcome news for many. Wonder what implications might be health and life insurance risk rating and premiums for users? Marijuana use as little as once per month linked to heart attack and stroke risk Using marijuana as little as once per month is associated with a higher risk of both heart attack and stroke, according to a large study published Wednesday by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital. The risks rose sharply the more frequently marijuana was used. The paper, which was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting marijuana may be harmful to the cardiovascular system. Scientists analyzed data on nearly 435,000 patients, ages 18 to -74, to see if there was a link between marijuana use and a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, or a heart attack. The data came from a behavioral risk factor survey collected between 2016 and 2020 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Compared with people who had never used marijuana, daily cannabis users had 25% higher likelihood of a heart attack and 42% higher risk of stroke. People who used marijuana just once a week had a 3% increased likelihood of a heart attack and 5% higher risk of a stroke during the study time frame.
Intuitively, I doubt inhaling smoke of any kind is harmless. Hopefully when marijuana is rescheduled, there will be more numerous and detailed studies about the benefits and costs, analyzing correlation versus causation, and comparing and contrasting different methods of consumption. From the article: Nearly 75% of people in the study reported smoking as the most common way they got high. They also consumed edibles and vaped. The study did not specifically look at the risks of smoking marijuana compared to edibles. It’s unclear from the paper whether marijuana directly causes heart attacks and strokes or whether people who are already at risk are more likely to use it. Historically, some have dismissed studies looking at marijuana and heart problems because participants often use both tobacco and marijuana products, making it hard to determine which substance is really to blame, Jeffers said. **** Ultimately, it will take more rigorous studies to draw any firm conclusion, he said, which would involve following people for years and monitoring their marijuana use. That type of research is difficult to conduct because marijuana is still a Schedule 1 substance under the Controlled Substances Act.
I wonder if the increased rates of heart attacks and strokes were from people who smoked cannabis as opposed to those who consume it in other ways i.e., food products.
“Nearly 75% of people in the study reported smoking as the most common way they got high. They also consumed edibles and vaped. The study did not specifically look at the risks of smoking marijuana compared to edibles. It’s unclear from the paper whether marijuana directly causes heart attacks and strokes or whether people who are already at risk are more likely to use it. Nearly 75% of people in the study reported smoking as the most common way they got high. They also consumed edibles and vaped. The study did not specifically look at the risks of smoking marijuana compared to edibles. It’s unclear from the paper whether marijuana directly causes heart attacks and strokes or whether people who are already at risk are more likely to use it.”
Exactly. Would love to see more research not only on that but also on what if any benefits cannabis may provide for things like siezure disorders etc.
Where did they find the people that had never used marijuana? I don't think they would have found many in Gainesville 40 years ago. Maybe they could these days. I don't know. No matter to me, these days as I have reached retirement age I have pretty much retired form doing anything that feels good or taste good per doctors advice. Probably watching Gator basketball is about the riskiest habit I have these days.
I've always said marijuana was bad for your health.Any product that can change your heart rhythm has to be dangerous and can cause heart attacks and strokes. .
'I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead to quote a favorite... wonder how other lifestyle choices may have impacted the outcome. lots of variables that seemed to be omitted
With the levels of THC in dabs and edibles we are getting more young adults with Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), than ever before. Plus the symptoms have become more severe.
I hadn't indulged more than once or twice a year from the time my kids were in kindergarten until cannabis was legalized here in 2020. We're weekly users now, mostly micro-dosing. What's frightening to me is the potency of cannabis products, especially with the concentrates. Three 5mg edibles render me almost as impaired as a hit of LSD. A guy I work with routinely consumes 40 to 50mg in one session. That's insane. That said, the study the OP posted doesn't concern me at all. I'm at low risk for heart attack or stroke and my consumption is five to 10mg, two to three nights a week and I haven't smoked any flower in months.
Damn, it’s been interesting reading about how all you libbies justify your cannabis fix. Libbies love themselves some weed. lol.
Kinda like Con's love themselves some firepower. Lets see, chillin out or blowing off neighbors heads. I think I like the chill route myself.
