Marijuana, a plant that people often smoke or eat, is becoming more accepted and legal across the United States. It is now the most commonly used drug in the country. According to recent numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 18% of Americans have tried marijuana at least once.
Even though many people use it, scientists still do not fully understand the long-term effects marijuana might have on our health.
To learn more, a group of researchers from Northwestern Medicine recently carried out a new study. They wanted to find out if using marijuana could cause changes deep inside the body, at the level of our genes.
The study was led by Dr. Lifang Hou, an expert in cancer research. Her team looked at blood samples from over 900 adults who had taken part in an earlier study about heart health. What made this study special was that the blood samples were taken twice, five years apart. This allowed the scientists to see how things changed over time.
The people in the study answered questions about their marijuana use, both recent and over their lifetimes. The researchers then compared their marijuana habits with changes they found in the participants’ DNA.
They focused on something called DNA methylation. This is when small chemical groups stick to our DNA. These groups can turn certain genes on or off, which may affect how our body works.
The results of the study were very interesting. The scientists found between 16 and 132 changes in DNA methylation that were linked to marijuana use. Many of these changes were in parts of the DNA related to cell growth, hormone signaling, the body’s response to infections, and mental health problems like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and addiction.
It’s important to understand that the study does not prove marijuana causes these genetic changes or leads directly to health problems. Instead, it shows there is a strong link between using marijuana and changes in the way our genes behave.
This new knowledge could help guide future research. Scientists now have a better idea of where to look when studying how marijuana might affect the body over the long term.
Because marijuana is becoming legal and more widely used, it is very important to keep learning about its possible effects. The more we know, the better people can make informed decisions about whether and how to use marijuana. It will also help governments and health officials create better policies based on strong scientific evidence.
This study, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, gives us a peek into how marijuana might influence our health at the genetic level. It also reminds us that even natural or popular substances can have complex effects on the body.
As more people use marijuana, the need to understand its long-term impact will only become more important. Continued research will help protect public health and guide individuals in making choices that are right for them.
If you care about cannabis, please read studies that what you need to know about cannabis and heart attack, and CBD from cannabis may help inhibit COVID-19 infection.
For more information about cannabis, please see recent studies that medical cannabis could help reduce depression, and results showing this stuff in cannabis may protect aging brain, treat Alzheimer’s.
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