The drug has becoming increasingly commonplace over the past several years — but researchers stress the need for more caution.

An increasing number of studies are showing that marijuana may not be so harmless after all.

In two new studies, to be presented later this month at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2023, researchers found that regular marijuana use increased the risk of heart attack, stroke or heart failure — even after factors like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity were taken into account.

“Prior research shows links between marijuana use and cardiovascular disease like coronary artery disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation, which is known to cause heart failure,” lead study author Yakubu Bene-Alhasan, M.D., MPH, a resident physician at Medstar Health in Baltimore, said in a statement. “Marijuana use isn’t without its health concerns, and our study provides more data linking its use to cardiovascular conditions.”

  • @TurboDiesel
    1•1 year ago

    In my experience ingestion route doesn’t make a difference; smoked or eaten, marijuana definitely makes my heart beat significantly faster and more irregularly and spikes my blood pressure.

    I stopped smoking after I got the 'rona, because it totally ratfucked my lung capacity, but I saw the same physiological effects either way (minus smoking-specific ones like coughing and lightheadedness).

    • @[email protected]
      12•1 year ago

      And due to bad study design, this research will answer exactly 0 of these these very legitimate questions.

    • @bassomitronEnglish
      7•1 year ago

      That sounds like an improper dosage issue to me, tbh. I only use a dry herb vape occasionally (maybe once every couple of days, sometimes I go weeks without it), but some strains with higher potency effect me like how you describe. However, I started getting super light strains (<10% THC) from the dispensary and it made a huge difference. Also, if I only take like one puff, I still get a relaxing buzz but none of that heart racing you speak of.

      Anywho, worth considering.

    • holycrapwtfatheism
      5•1 year ago

      6ish years of pretty decent on/off use only edibles and vape. My BP actually drops during use (I monitor due to previous HBP issues). This is going to be like any medicinal use, everyone will have different sides/severities.

    • GONADS125
      4•1 year ago

      Even if BPM is affected by non-combustion, it doesn’t mean the carcinogens, particulates, lack of oxygen, and benzene from combustion couldn’t play a key role in the cardiovascular health problems in the studies.

    • @kromemEnglish
      4•1 year ago

      It definitely makes a difference.

      Given the extensive research around smoking and heart health, a ‘placebo’ group that was regularly smoking wood chips in blunts (or any kind of burnt vegetation) would be expected to have heart complications.

      That smoking isn’t the only factor here is probable, but that it isn’t a factor at all is extremely unlikely.

      Which is why research really needs to break out subgroups based on delivery mechanism.

    • @DaftWiz
      2•1 year ago

      IMO, an elevated heart rate after smoking could be a result of some underlying form of anxiety as well. And some strains seem to aggravate the situation.