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New research shows that people who smoke marijuana more than once a month are at higher risk of having a heart attack by the age of 50. Why is this happening? What are the mechanisms behind it? And will the soybean ingredient prove to be a real discovery here?
- People who smoke marihuna at least once a month are at a much higher risk of having a heart attack, even before the age of 50.
- The number of inflammatory molecules in the blood rises three hours after smoking a cannabis cigarette, which can lead to a heart attack
- The psychoactive substance in marijuana – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) contributes to inflammation
- Scientists have found that a naturally occurring molecule in soybeans (genistein) can, however, block the harmful effects of THC. It can be used
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
New research into the effects of smoking marijuana on heart disease
The relationship between smoking marijuana and poor heart health has been established before, but a recent study by the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, published in the journal Cell, sheds new light on the mechanism behind it.
Studies in mice show that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis, leads to both inflammation of the endothelial cells that line the inside of blood vessels and atherosclerosis (hardening or thickening of the arteries).
In turn, a human study, which included a sample of 500. participants of the British Biobank project, showed that about 11 thousand. of those who reported smoking marijuana at least once a month were more likely to suffer a heart attack, even before the age of 50. At the same time, it has been proven that smoking cannabis increases the risk of further heart attacks and the development of other cardiovascular diseases.
Although the researchers took into account other factors such as age, body mass index and gender that may influence these conditions, the relationship between marijuana smoking and heart disease appears to be strong.
Scientists looking to take a closer look at this relationship found that the number of inflammatory molecules in the volunteers’ blood increased significantly within three hours after smoking a cannabis cigarette. This inflammation can lead to heart attacks.
It is the psychoactive substance in cannabis that causes inflammation
Additional studies have also shown that THC influences inflammation in human endothelial cells, and lab mice develop much larger atherosclerotic plaques when injected.
This psychoactive substance binds to a receptor called CB1 in the human brain. So scientists began looking for CB1 antagonists, molecules that can reduce this binding when this receptor becomes overactive.
They were successful in their search by identifying genistein – a naturally occurring molecule in soy – that in mice appears to block the harmful effects of THC (causing inflammation and atherosclerosis) while preserving those beneficial for marijuana therapy. It goes, among others o reducing pain or stimulating appetite.
Previously, researchers were unable to use CB1 antagonists from side effects such as increased anxiety and mood disorders. However, research at this stage shows that all of these side effects may not occur with genistein. This gives hope that it would be safer to use as a medicine. It would not cause side effects. It is already used as a dietary supplement.
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Scientists are facing another challenge to verify in human clinical trials that genistein can actually reduce the risk of heart disease in marijuana smokers. It will probably take some time.