Potential Heart Risks from Cannabis Edibles

For those who enjoy cannabis edibles, there’s a new caution to consider.

A recent study published in JAMA Cardiology by researchers from the University of California at San Francisco indicates that consuming cannabis-infused treats may pose heart risks similar to those associated with smoking cannabis.

Heart health experts have long suggested, based on growing evidence, that smoking cannabis can be detrimental to heart health. However, this study is seemingly the first to explore whether edibles carry similar risks.

In the research, 55 participants from the Bay Area, who either completely abstained from cannabis or used it a few times a week by smoking or eating, were monitored over a three-year period.

By the end of this duration, the group that used tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) showed reduced blood vessel function and an increased likelihood of developing early heart disease. This finding contradicts the often-voiced notion that consuming cannabis is a safer alternative to smoking it.

In a conversation with the San Francisco Gate, Matthew Springer, a heart researcher at UCSF and co-author of the study, expressed his surprise at discovering that cannabis edibles led to similar heart damage as smoking.

When he first reviewed the findings related to THC, he noted, “Scientifically, this THC result is really interesting but boy does it screw up the public health messaging.”

There were, however, some notable differences between the smokers and the edible users, which complicate the understanding of how these substances affect heart health.

For instance, the researchers noted that, unlike the smoking group, those who consumed edibles did not exhibit harmful changes in their blood serum—a finding supported by earlier studies. Additionally, while smokers had reduced levels of nitric oxide, an important compound for heart health, the levels remained normal for the edible consumers.

Springer suggested that these differences point to smoking being a “double whammy” for cardiovascular health.

Despite the disparities, Springer and his team believe that regular cannabis use can harm the cardiovascular system, regardless of the method of consumption. They also noted that increasing consumption seems to correlate with worsening heart health.