A new study suggests that chronic cannabis use, including marijuana smoking and THC ingestion, impairs blood vessel function in healthy young adults. The study found reduced flow-mediated dilation (FMD), indicating early signs of cardiovascular risk in cannabis users. Exploring the biological mechanisms, researchers conducted cell-based assays, which revealed reduced nitric oxide release in cells treated with serum from marijuana smokers, compared to nonusers. While long-term clinical outcomes were not evaluated, the study highlights the need for further research on the cardiovascular effects of cannabis as legalization and usage rates rise.

Source: JAMA Cardiology