Smoking or vaping marijuana may trigger cardiac arrest and strokes, the American Heart Association warned Wednesday. In the journal Circulation, the group wrote that marijuana has “the potential to interfere with prescribed medications” as well as “trigger cardiovascular conditions or events, such as heart attacks and strokes,” CNN reported.
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What are the two types of cannabis?
The two most prevalent types are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is primarily responsible for the mind-altering properties sought out by recreational users, and cannabidiol (CBD), which has no psychoactive effect. Cannabidiol may actually work to offset the psychoactive properties of THC.
How long has cannabis been around?
Marijuana cultivation and use dates back some 6,000 years. However, the cardiovascular and other health effects of cannabis aren't well studied. That's partly because under federal law, cannabis is a Schedule I substance, meaning it has "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.".
Is it bad to smoke marijuana after a heart attack?
Research suggests that the risk of heart attack is several times higher in the hour after smoking marijuana than it would be normally. While this does not pose a significant threat to people who have minimal cardiovascular risk, it should be a red flag for anyone with a history of heart disease.
Is marijuana good for pain?
Some of the strongest evidence supporting the medical use of marijuana is marijuana’s benefits for managing chronic pain. Cannabinoid compounds (see "Cannabis 101") interact with receptors in nerve cells to slow down pain impulses and ease discomfort. Cannabinoids also have been shown to be effective in quelling nausea and vomiting. In addition, marijuana is a powerful appetite inducer. The combination of these attributes makes marijuana a therapeutic option for people coping with the side effects of chemotherapy and others who are in danger of unintended weight loss. However, in conditions where gaining extra weight might exacerbate existing health problems, such as diabetes, appetite stimulation would be counterproductive.
Can you smoke marijuana?
Smoking is the fastest way to feel the effects of marijuana, which is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. Yet marijuana smoke contains many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens found in cigarette smoke — a known contributor to heart disease as well as cancer.
Does CBD have a psychoactive effect?
The two most prevalent types are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is primarily responsible for the mind-altering properties sought out by recreational users, and cannabidiol (CBD), which has no psychoactive effect. Cannabidiol may actually work to offset the psychoactive properties of THC. The magnitude of marijuana's psychoactive effect depends ...
Is marijuana good for weight loss?
In addition, marijuana is a powerful appetite inducer. The combination of these attributes makes marijuana a therapeutic option for people coping with the side effects of chemotherapy and others who are in danger of unintended weight loss.
Can vaping cause heart problems?
The American Heart Association is warning people that smoking or vaping cannabis could create an increased risk for long-term heart-health problems. In some cases, inhaling the substance could trigger a heart attack or palpitations, AHA doctors said in a new report based on previous research.
Can smoking cannabis cause heart damage?
And previous research suggests cannabis smokers and vape users who inhale the substance regularly could develop carbon -monoxide buildup in the lungs, which may contribute to permanent heart damage. This evidence led AHA doctors to advise people to abstain from cannabis smoking and vaping if possible.
Is edible cannabis safe?
Edible cannabis could be a safer alternative for heart health. The doctors who penned the statement said cannabis users should weigh the risks of using the substance with its potential benefits. For some, cannabis use provides relief from chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. The authors also said certain forms of cannabis use could be less ...
Is CBD good for the heart?
Additionally, some research has shown CBD, one of the non-psychoactive components in cannabis, could potentially be beneficial for the heart due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Read more: Everything we know about smoking, vaping, marijuana, and coronavirus risk.
What are the two most common compounds in cannabis?
The two most prevalent are tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC (which is what gives people a high), and cannabidiol, or CBD. These compounds bind to specific receptors in the brain.
Does marijuana cause cancer?
Marijuana smoke is on the CA Prop 65 list of chemicals that can cause cancer. Marijuana smoke includes 13 of the same cancer causing chemicals as tobacco smoke. from Esther Schiller, director, Smokefree Air For Everyone (S.A.F.E.) Commenting has been closed for this post.
Is it safe to smoke marijuana?
Many people assume that smoking or vaping marijuana isn’t as dangerous as smoking cigarettes, says study co-author Dr. Muthiah Vaduganathan, a cardiologist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Is marijuana bad for your heart?
Marijuana can cause the heart to beat faster and blood pressure to rise, which can be dangerous for people with heart disease. The risk of heart attack is several times higher in the hour after smoking marijuana than it would be normally, research suggests. Other studies have found a link between marijuana use and atrial fibrillation, ...
Is marijuana legal in 2020?
July 01, 2020. By: Julie Corliss , Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter. Now that marijuana is legal for medical or recreational use in many states, growing numbers of Americans — including older people — are imbibing this popular drug. In fact, the percentage of people ages 65 and older who said they used some form ...
Does marijuana affect your cardiovascular system?
But even if you ingest marijuana by other methods, such as edibles or tinctures, the drug can still affect your cardiovascular system. The plant contains more than 100 unique chemical components classified as cannabinoids.
Does smoking marijuana cause heart problems?
Marijuana can cause the heart to beat faster and blood pressure to rise, which can be dangerous for people with heart disease. The risk of heart attack is several times higher in the hour after smoking marijuana than it would be normally, research suggests. Other studies have found a link between marijuana use and atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm disorder. And one survey suggests that smoking marijuana may raise the risk of a stroke.
Which is better, THC or CBD?
While high concentrations of THC have been associated with side effects, the other major cannabinoid, CBD (cannabidiol), has a better reputation. CBD is already known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and calming benefits, to name a few.
What is heart disease?
Heart disease refers to a collection of heart conditions that cause cardiovascular issues, some being more common than others. Generally, they can be divided into four types depending on how they affect the heart:
Does CBD oil help with heart disease?
In fact, the AHA report mentions that CBD products can reduce inflammation and emotional stress that can have a positive impact on cardiovascular health. It’s considered potentially good for cardiovascular health by lowering the heart rate and relaxing the arteries, all of which lessens the load on the heart.
Does marijuana have a cardiovascular effect?
From what we know so far, it should be clear that not all compounds in marijuana can cause adverse cardiovascular effects.
Does marijuana affect the heart?
According to a report from the American Heart Association (AHA), despite the health benefits it provides, marijuana can have negative effects on the heart and blood vessels. According to their report, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive cannabinoid that causes feelings of euphoria, is linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, atrial fibrillation, as well as heart failure.
Does marijuana increase heart rate?
They state that marijuana can cause an increased heart rate and elevate blood pressure which can increase the need for oxygen in the heart. In people with cardiovascular disease who already have arterial plaque buildup, the combination of a blocked artery and reduced oxygen increases the risk of a heart attack.
Does marijuana cause heart attacks?
We also know that THC interacts with the receptors found in the sympathetic nervous system which activates the “fight or flight” response. When you smoke marijuana, THC activates these receptors which may, in turn, cause an increased heartbeat and blood pressure, as well as constriction of the blood vessels, all of which can increase the risk of a heart attack (especially for people who already have cardiovascular issues).
When was cannabis arteritis first diagnosed?
Cannabis arteritis was first described in the 1960s , with over 50 cases documented in the literature since then. Furthermore, numerous studies and case reports describe a thromboangitis obliterans-like disease that affects young adults who smoke marijuana.25In 2013, Desbois et al. described the different arterial pathologies associated with cannabis smokers, including CVA, MI, and lower limb arteritis.26In these cases, the onset of CVA and MI was usually within one hour of marijuana use. Moreover, compared with thromboangitis obliterans, individuals diagnosed with cannabis arteritis were younger, more often male, and had more frequent unilateral limb involvement.26The mechanism of the vasculitis is currently not fully understood, but many reports suggest vasculopathy secondary to an arsenic-containing byproduct, which has been associated with endothelial inflammation.26
How many compounds are in marijuana?
Marijuana contains almost 500 compounds, including 70 cannabinoids which provide the psychoactive effect.43,44When a user smokes marijuana, they do not solely ingest THC but rather a host of other chemicals.45From the combustion of marijuana, chemicals, such as acetaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and polycyclic hydrocarbons, are inhaled.45For example, Groternhermen et al. found that there are numerous adulterants in marijuana, and these compounds could also contribute to CVD processes.45For instance, during the marijuana plant cultivation, farmers may spray chemicals and fertilizers that contain N-nitrosamines compounds that persist for years.46Moreover, other chemicals, such as sulfur, copper sulfate, and Ceresan M (a mercury containing compound), are also present on some forms of marijuana.45Even arsenic has been found on marijuana, in the concentration of 2 mg of arsenic per 100 grams of marijuana, which is considered “a medical dose.”47
Where does marijuana come from?
Marijuana is derived from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa, with the biologically active ingredient being a group of cannabinoids and the main psychoactive constituent being 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).2–4The THC ligand binds to multiple receptors with especially high selectivity for the Cannabinoid 1 and 2 receptors (CB1 and CB2, respectively). CB1 receptors are predominantly expressed in the brain and peripheral tissues, including cardiac muscle, hepatic tissue, the gastrointestinal tract, and vascular endothelium,5, 6while CB2 receptors are mainly expressed in immune cells. These CB2 receptors have recently been shown to play a role in inflammatory cytokine regulation.7
Does THC affect the vasculature?
Available literature shows that THC has three major effects on the CV and the peripheral vasculature in the form of “cannabis arteritis,” cannabis-induced vasospasms, and platelet aggregation, with an unknown verdict on the relationship between marijuana use and atherosclerosis progression.
Is marijuana a cardiovascular drug?
The indirect effects of marijuana on the cardiovascular system. Conclusion. Marijuana is the most common illicit substance used in the US and the rate of usage is only increasing. Most of the research into THC is mainly focused on combating the side effects of anti-cancer chemotherapeutics.
Does marijuana increase the risk of death?
In summary, marijuana users had increased risk of HTN-associated mortality even if a prior diagnosis of HTN was treated. In addition, increased duration of marijuana use is associated with increased risk of death related to HTN.
Is marijuana a drug?
Marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the United States (US) and much of the Westernized World with a steadi ly increasing prevalence in usage and abuse over the past decade, especially among adolescents. Much of the available data on 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, ...
How can vaping lead to heart attacks?
It has been known for a time that smoking cigarettes can contribute to heart disease and heart attack risk, but what about vaping? E-cigarettes that contain nicotine, such as JUUL, are just as likely to cause heart attacks as the nicotine in traditional cigarettes. In fact, many e-cigarettes containing nicotine have much higher concentrations than a tobacco cigarette.
How does e-cigarettes affect the heart?
Research Stanford showed that the liquid vaporized from pens can harm the cardiovascular system by damaging the cells lining blood vessels and affect the flow of blood to the heart. Other research demonstrated that e-cigarettes can emit tiny particles, including metal, into the lungs which can lead to blood toxicity.
Is vaping safer than smoking cigarettes?
Next Post. E-cigarette use has become increasingly popular in recent years, as vaping is often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes. However, research has shown that using JUUL and other such devices can lead to many of the same conditions, including heart attacks.
Can vaping cause heart problems?
Mahmoud Sharaf of Unity Point Health stated “I’ve seen heart attacks in people who are in their mid-30’s to 40’s only hours after vaping. That’s concerning, but the long term effects of vaping are even more top-of-mind for me. Teens who are vaping now might be 18 and wouldn’t otherwise have had heart issues. But, if they continue vaping, their first heart problem might appear as early as their late 20s or early 30s”.
Is Juul vape safe?
It is now very apparent that using vape products such as JUUL is just as harmful as smoking cigarettes, if not more. If you or someone you love experiences a heart attack after using e-cigarettes, contact our experienced attorneys to discuss your case and get the compensation and justice you deserve. Side effects of e-cigarette smoking can include ...
Does nicotine affect blood pressure?
Nicotine can stress the heart by activating the body’s “fight or flight” response, increasing heart rate, narrowing arteries, and raising blood pressure. There are also reports showing that consuming nicotine can lead to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), a common cause of heart attacks. Nicotine and other added preservatives in products such as JUUL can also adversely affect blood clotting function, even immediately after vaping.
Does smoking cause heart problems?
Smoking increases your heart rate, causes a build up of plaque in arteries and can cause an irregular heart rhythm - all of which force your heart to work harder than it needs to. Blood pressure is also heightened due to smoking which can increase the risk of stroke.
Is e-cigarette smoking bad for you?
E-Cigarette users may be at higher risk for heart attack, coronary artery disease, and depression.
Is vaping bad for your health?
Vaping was designed to be addictive. While many of the dangers of vaping have rightfully been linked to the lungs, that doesn't mean the rest of the body is immune from its potentially harmful effects. Vaping can have an adverse affect on your mouth, teeth, gums, throat, lungs, heart and even skin.
Can vaping cause heart attacks?
Vape users may be significantly more likely to suffer from heart attack, coronary artery disease and depression, according to new research published by the American College of Cardiology.
Does vaping tighten blood vessels?
Research has also shown vaping immediately stiffens and tightens your blood vessels, which limits the movement of oxygenated blood to and from the heart to other parts of the body: a true life necessity.
