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In addition to its acute effects, cannabis/THC induces epigenetic modifications, which can affect its consumers and their offspring.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.banm.2024.02.009
Summary: Epigenetics causes changes in the phenotype in the absence of changes in the DNA of genes, i.e., the genotype. Under various influences, such as exposure to certain xenobiotics, epigenetic marks are produced by different mechanisms, including the grafting of methyl groups onto certain cytosines of DNA, or on diaminated acids of histones, or the grafting of acetyl groups onto these histones around which the DNA of genes is wrapped. These modifications affect the exposure of these DNA segments to RNA polymerases that copy it into messenger RNAs, resulting in the carrier proteins of each of our traits. As a result, the expression of these genes can be repressed or increased. Tetrahydrocannabinol/THC, the major psychotropic and addictive principle of cannabis, induces epigenetic effects in its users that can have a lasting effect on some of their characteristics. If they are of childbearing age or if they are pregnant women, they will be able to pass on these epigenetic marks to their offspring. This transmission may result in malformations of the conceived child, reductions in height and birth weight, delayed development of staturoweight and mental health, increased risk of sudden death, hyperactivity with attention deficit, vulnerability to autism, drug addiction, depressive disorders, schizophrenia, cognitive disorders, etc. immune deficiencies.
(Source: Bulletin of the National Academy of Medicine Volume 208, Issue 4, April 2024, Pages 459-465 as publish in Science Direct)
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The Link Between Cannabis Use and Violent Behavior in the Early Phase of Psychosis: The Potential Role of Impulsivity
The use of various substances (without distinction) is known to be a key dimension in the risk for VB (Violent Behaviour) and recidivism particularly in people suffering from psychosis. Cannabis is the most widely used recreational drug in the world among young people (18–25 years) and is particularly prevalent among young people with psychotic disorders and mainly in the EPP. In the latter group, high rates of CU (29–38%) are evidenced, which can have both clinical and neurobiological deleterious consequences.
Moreover, in subgroups of violent patients with psychosis, our literature review shows elevated levels of CU: ranging from 40 to 49% in chronic patients, 44 to 64% in EPP and reaching a rate of 70% in a sample of 2,102 prisoners at high risk for developing psychosis
(Source: Frontiers In Journal)
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Cannabis Use Linked to Elevated Myocardial Infarction and Stroke Risk
Cannabis use may increase the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke independent of tobacco use, according to recent findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Compared with nonusers, daily cannabis consumers had
- 25% higher odds of myocardial infarction and
- 42% higher odds of stroke.
More frequent use was associated with a greater possibility of adverse cardiovascular outcomes regardless of whether cannabis was smoked, eaten, or vaporized.
(Source: JAMA Network)
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This recent ASCO guideline documents the evidence in support of the use of cannabis and cannabinoids in adults with cancer. The guideline highlights the lack of evidence for the use of cannabis and cannabinoids as a cancer-directed therapy and recommends discouraging their use in this regard. The limited evidence available supporting the role of cannabis and cannabinoids as an adjuvant supportive therapy is reviewed.
The guideline will help inform clear and nonjudgmental communication between providers and patients with cancer in regard to the use of cannabis and cannabinoid products.
(Source: ASCO Guidelines on Cannabis and Cannabinoid Use in Adults With Cancer | PracticeUpdate)
Also see
- Cannabis Causing Cancer
- Cannabis & Children’s Cancer:
- Epidemiological overview of multidimensional chromosomal and genome toxicity of cannabis exposure in congenital anomalies and cancer development
- Cannabis oil failed to improve pain or quality of life in palliative care cancer patients, study shows
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Intentional, suspected suicidal cannabis exposures reported to US poison centers increased from 2009 to 2021. Increases during and after the pandemic were notable and greatest among children and females. Most involved other substances; due to the cross-sectional nature of the data, we could not identify a causal association between cannabis use and a suicide attempt. Associations between cannabis use and mental health, especially among younger users, have been reported. Our findings suggest that deleterious medical outcomes occur frequently among older adults. Explanations could include interactions between age-related conditions and medications.
(Source: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2803952