Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, with many states legalizing its use. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 48.2 million Americans, or about 18% of the population, reported using marijuana in 2019.
Despite its widespread use, there’s still much we don’t understand about how marijuana affects our health. A recent study by researchers at Northwestern Medicine sheds light on potential impacts marijuana may have on our DNA.
Marijuana comes from the Cannabis sativa plant and is often smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes called joints or water pipes known as bongs. It can also be brewed into tea or added to foods.
As marijuana gains popularity and legality, questions arise about its long-term effects on our bodies and overall health. The Northwestern Medicine study aimed to explore these questions by examining the relationship between marijuana use and changes in DNA.
Dr. Lifang Hou, a cancer researcher and the study’s lead investigator, and her team analyzed blood samples from over 900 adults. These participants had provided samples five years apart as part of an earlier heart health study.
The researchers asked participants about their marijuana use during this period, including both recent use and estimated lifetime exposure. They then examined the participants’ DNA for any notable changes.
The study uncovered a significant link between marijuana use and changes in a process called DNA methylation. DNA methylation involves small chemical groups attaching to DNA, which can turn specific genes on or off. The researchers identified between 16 and 132 genetic markers associated with marijuana use.
Many of these markers were found in regions of DNA related to cell growth, hormone regulation, and immune responses. Interestingly, some of the changes were also linked to mental health conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders.
It’s important to note that this study doesn’t prove marijuana directly causes these DNA changes or that these changes lead to health problems. Instead, it highlights a possible connection that warrants further research.
The findings suggest that marijuana use might influence genetic activity in ways that could impact health, but more studies are needed to confirm this and to understand the broader implications.
This research opens the door to future studies on the long-term health effects of marijuana. For instance, how do these genetic changes evolve as people age, and what do they mean for conditions like heart disease or mental illness?
The study also underscores the need to explore how different groups of people might experience these effects and whether other factors, such as genetics or lifestyle, play a role.
As marijuana becomes more accessible and widely used, understanding its effects is crucial for making informed decisions about its use.
While some studies suggest potential benefits, such as using cannabis to reduce depression, improve quality of life, or protect the aging brain, this new research serves as a reminder that marijuana’s effects on the body are complex and not yet fully understood.
The Northwestern Medicine study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, is an important step toward uncovering how marijuana may impact our health at the molecular level.
As more research is conducted, we will gain a clearer picture of the risks and benefits of marijuana use, helping individuals and policymakers make better choices about this increasingly popular substance.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing plant-based foods could benefit people with high blood pressure.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
