However, this has raised serious questions about what regular use might be doing to our hearts. One study, small but insightful, looked into the vascular health of cannabis users. The findings? Not great.
So, even if you are choosing a pot brownie over a puff, do not think your arteries are doing fine. This study found that chronic cannabis smoking and THC ingestion both led to endothelial dysfunction, meaning your blood vessels are not doing their job well. Though the damage happens through different mechanisms, the result looks eerily similar to the harm caused by regular tobacco use.
What is particularly interesting is that in lab tests, the blood serum from marijuana smokers (but not edible users) also messed with nitric oxide production in cultured endothelial cells. Nitric oxide keeps blood vessels relaxed and flowing.
To put it plainly, if your cannabis ritual is as regular as your morning coffee, your heart might be developing issues. Whether you are lighting up or chewing down, the inner lining of your blood vessels called the vascular endothelium may be quietly suffering.
Let’s look at five ways cannabis may be putting your heart at risk:
Compromised blood pressure
Boost in Inflammation
Chronic cannabis use may stimulate inflammation in the blood vessels, making them stiffer and less responsive, which is a red flag for future cardiovascular problems.
Interrupted oxygen
Smoking anything means your lungs get less oxygen, which forces your heart to work harder than usual.
Arrhythmia risks
There is growing evidence that cannabis can trigger irregular heart rhythms, especially in people who already have underlying heart conditions.
Plaque buildup
