As marijuana becomes more widely available and socially accepted, many people assume it’s a harmless or even “healthy” alternative to alcohol or tobacco. But new research has challenged that assumption – especially concerning heart health.
A growing body of evidence suggests that regular cannabis use may increase your risk for cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, high blood pressure and vascular damage. Marijuana’s effects on the heart can be significant, even in young, otherwise healthy adults. If you regularly smoke, vape or eat edibles, it’s time to reevaluate how that habit could affect your long-term health.
New Research Suggests Marijuana May Increase Cardiovascular Risks
A study led by UC San Francisco researchers and published earlier this year in JAMA Cardiology examined how chronic cannabis use affects blood vessel function – a factor in cardiovascular health.
The researchers examined 55 regular cannabis users under age 50 who used the drug at least three times a week for a year or more. Some smoked marijuana, while others used edibles. None of the participants used nicotine.
Fundamental takeaways included the following.
- Reduced vascular function: Blood vessels in regular cannabis users functioned at only half the capacity of those in non-users, suggesting significantly impaired circulation.
- Heart attack risk: A separate meta-analysis found that people under 50 who used marijuana were over six times as likely to have a heart attack compared to non-users.
- Damage to endothelial cells: Cannabis users showed blood changes that harmed the inner lining of blood vessels, increasing the risk for hypertension, stroke and other heart-related complications.
Vascular damage was still present even among people who ate edibles and never inhaled smoke, suggesting that THC may be the culprit.
What Makes Cannabis Dangerous for the Cardiovascular System?
THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, has various effects on the central nervous and cardiovascular systems.
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Constricted blood vessels, reducing oxygen delivery to the heart
- Pro-inflammatory effects that damage vessel lining over time
- Irregular heartbeat or arrhythmias in vulnerable users
These combined effects can increase your likelihood of heart attack and stroke – even if you don’t have existing conditions and other risk factors.
Marijuana Use Is on the Rise
Marijuana use is especially common among young adults in California, where recreational cannabis has been legal for nearly a decade. As a result, many people dismiss it as harmless – or even promote it as a healthy way to manage stress, sleep or depression.
However, legality doesn’t mean a substance is risk-free. Just as doctors recommended cigarettes before the devastating health consequences became impossible to ignore, cannabis is now under increasing scrutiny for its long-term effects on mental and physical health.
At PACE Recovery, we’ve seen firsthand how cannabis use can contribute to:
- Anxiety, depression and psychosis
- Cognitive decline and memory issues
- Poor motivation and academic struggles
- Substance use disorder
- Neglected health concerns due to self-medication
What if You Already Use Weed?
It’s worth having a conversation about your health if you regularly use cannabis – especially if you started young or have a family history of heart problems.
Some signs that your marijuana use may affect your mental or physical well-being include:
- Needing cannabis to feel “normal” or manage stress
- Difficulty cutting back or quitting, even if you want to
- Worsening mood, motivation or performance
- Chest pain, racing heart or shortness of breath
PACE Recovery offers comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for young men struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions. Our supportive, all-male environment is a safe space where you can address your self-destructive behavior and the underlying emotional and psychological challenges driving it. Call us today to learn about admissions, insurance verification and availability.
