Many people turn to weed gummies and baked goods under the assumption that cutting out smoke makes the habit virtually harmless, but your heart might not see much of a difference. As recently highlighted by Men’s Journal, a study published in JAMA Cardiology from researchers at UC San Francisco reveals that regular cannabis use—whether smoked or eaten—is tied to significant cardiovascular risks. To isolate the effects of cannabis from tobacco, scientists monitored healthy adults who used cannabis at least three times a week for a year or more without touching nicotine. The results showed that both edible users and smokers experienced a roughly fifty percent drop in blood vessel function compared to non-users, a deficit on par with what clinicians typically observe in chronic cigarette smokers.
The method of consumption did reveal one important biological nuance. While smokers carried changes in their bloodstream that directly poisoned and degraded endothelial cells—the crucial protective lining of blood vessels—edible consumers showed no sign of this specific cellular toxicity. That suggests the harsh combustion byproducts of lighting up introduce their own unique dangers. Even so, the vessels of edible users were just as stiff and impaired, meaning THC itself likely disrupts cardiovascular function through a distinct, less obvious biological pathway. Inhaling smoke undeniably harms the lungs, but swap out the joint for an edible and your circulatory system still bears a heavy burden.
Dabbin-Dad Newsroom
