In the United States and throughout the world, marijuana usage is rising, especially among older persons. People now have more access to it since more states have legalized marijuana use for both medical and recreational purposes. Along with narcotics like heroin, LSD, and ecstasy, marijuana remains one of the most deadly classes of prohibited substances in the United States. This makes marijuana study difficult.

Marijuana use has hazards and adverse effects, as well as some documented health advantages. THC, the primary component of marijuana that makes you high, has concerns, particularly regarding heart health.

Although consuming cannabis products doesn’t affect the respiratory system in the same way as smoking them, the question is, are thc edibles bad for your heart?

The hemp plant’s byproduct, cannabis, is well known for its euphoric and anti-nausea effects. The chemical component in cannabis responsible for these effects is called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Several diseases, including chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, chronic pain, and appetite loss, can be treated with cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids, which are molecules that resemble the structure of THC.

More study is being done on the potential hazards, advantages, and medical uses of cannabis due to an increasing number of nations allowing its usage for medical and recreational purposes. Continue reading if the statement “are edibles bad for your heart” is true or not.

THC Edibles: What is THC?

Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is a psychotropic substance found in marijuana plants. It is the cannabis component that gives users a “high.” CBD (cannabidiol), the other primary active component of marijuana, doesn’t get users high and has been demonstrated to offer some advantages for pain and anxiety.

Various marijuana products can have different effects since they differ in the amounts of THC and CBD they contain. Marijuana (both THC and CBD) may provide some health advantages, but there are also documented hazards and adverse effects.

Products made from marijuana come in a variety of formats and have various THC and CBD content, including:

• Smoking
• Vaping
• Sprays
• Topical creams
• Edibles

Depending on the formulation you use, the THC edibles may be taken into your body more or less quickly. THC does not have a set dosage; however, a typical dose ranges from 5 to 15 mg.

Cannabis is increasingly used in the United States and is typically used to treat the following symptoms:

• Pain
• Muscle spasms
• Sleep
• Appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Anxiety

Importantly, you must be informed of the hazards associated with THC use. These consist of the following:

• Modified senses
• Mood shifts
• Difficulty paying attention
• Hallucinations
• Psychosis
• Impaired brain development
• Breathing difficulties
• Higher heart rate
• Vomiting and Nausea

THC Edibles: Heart-related risks

For those who already have cardiac disease, marijuana usage can increase blood pressure and make the heart beat faster. According to a study, the risk of heart attack is significantly increased in the hour following marijuana use compared to other times. The most prevalent heart rhythm condition, atrial fibrillation, has been linked to marijuana usage in further research. Additionally, a study indicates that consuming marijuana may increase the risk of having a stroke.

Studies of marijuana smokers form the bulk of the scientific data. However, marijuana can still have an impact on your cardiovascular system even if you consume it in other ways, including edibles or tinctures. More than 100 distinct chemical elements categorized as cannabinoids are present in the plant. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC (which makes people feel high), and cannabidiol, or CBD, are the two most common. These substances attach to particular receptors in the brain. According to Dr. Vaduganathan, “cannabinoid receptors are present on heart cells, adipose cells, and platelets, which are blood cells involved in clot formation.

According to the JACC study, cannabinoids may impact several pharmaceuticals used to treat or prevent heart diseases, such as blood pressure medications, cholesterol-lowering statins, and treatments for cardiac rhythm abnormalities.

THC Edibles: Cannabis Smoking vs. Cannabis Edibles Consumption

The two most common ways to consume cannabis are eating edibles or baked goods containing the drug and inhaling cannabis smoke. Because inhaling any smoke can be taxing on the lungs, smoking cannabis may produce respiratory adverse effects. In addition, there is some evidence linking cannabis use to potentially harmful cardiovascular consequences, but more studies are required to corroborate these conclusions.

There is no evidence that thc edibles cannabis products can affect the circulatory system, although they do not have the same effects on the respiratory system as smoking cannabis. Nevertheless, this has been suggested as a potential outcome. For instance, one case study of a 70-year-old man with coronary artery disease detailed his heart attack shortly after ingesting a cannabis-infused lollipop.

The patient ate over three-quarters of marijuana lollipops with 90 mg of THC. The patient phoned a relative to take him to the emergency department after describing having frightening hallucinations. He also mentioned shaking, sweating, and excruciating chest pain. Anticoagulants, antiplatelet, and aspirin were used to treat the patient’s heart attack.

The Cardiovascular System and Cannabinoids

The cannabis plant contains cannabinoids including THC, cannabinol (CBN), and cannabidiol (CBD), which bind to endocannabinoid receptors in the body. Because these receptors exist everywhere in the body, different people can experience cannabis differently. More precisely, recent case studies and research suggest that cannabinoids, such as THC, may affect the cardiovascular system and may be linked to elevated blood pressure, accelerated heart rate, and a higher risk of unfavourable cardiovascular events.

Can THC Edibles increase heart rate?

Activation of the endocannabinoid receptors has been linked to elevated blood pressure and a faster heart rate, according to some studies, even though the precise effects of edible cannabis have not been investigated as thoroughly as those of inhaled cannabis smoke. The existing body of evidence is mainly equivocal; however other research suggests that activation of some cannabinoid receptors may be linked to lower blood pressure and heart rate. To find out if these effects are particular to any cannabis consumption techniques, more research is required.

Separating the Harms and Benefits

The AHA report noted that not all cannabis research indicates risk.

Hemp-derived thc edibles or thc edibles stimulate the heart and increase oxidative stress and vascular inflammation. According to Dr. Michael Miller, a professor of cardiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, this may result in high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and overall increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and sudden death.

There is a chance that THC could have adverse effects if dosages are too high or used quickly, as is the case with elderly patients using prescription drugs.

Contrarily, items containing CBD lessen emotional stress and inflammation, which may help lower the risk of heart disease.

Miller stated, “I was unaware of the potential antagonistic effects between THC in advancing heart disease as opposed to CBD, which may prevent its growth and progression.

Despite the fact that cannabis can be an effective treatment for medical conditions like seizure control and for easing nausea and boosting appetite in cancer or HIV patients, some people are unaware of its possible risks when used recreationally or for unproven uses, according to Miller.

Conclusion

There is currently no agreement on whether or not cannabinoids like THC and CBD are hazardous for the cardiovascular system, despite some research suggesting that smoking cannabis may be linked to adverse side effects and circulatory abnormalities. In addition, the possible consequences of THC edibles or cannabis-infused foods on the cardiovascular system require further study.

FAQS:

Has research been done on how marijuana affects heart health?

Very little research has been done to determine how marijuana affects the heart. More research is required to examine marijuana’s immediate and long-term effects and the effects of various dosages and formulations.

If you’re over 60, will marijuana harm your heart?

THC use may increase your chance of heart problems if you’re older than 60 since it raises your risk for high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, a heart attack, or a stroke. Although further research is needed, observational studies have shown that there may be an elevated risk.

Can someone who already has a cardiac issue consume marijuana?

You should use THC products with extra caution if you already have a cardiac issue. THC can potentially exacerbate any existing heart conditions you may already have because it can raise your blood pressure or heart rate.

Can marijuana influence the way I take my other medications?

THC can have negative or positive effects on the levels of other drugs, including several cardiac medications. Several instances include:

• Warfarin
• Statins are cholesterol-lowering medicines.
• medicine to lower blood pressure (such as losartan and valsartan)
• anti-arrhythmic drugs (such as amiodarone)

References

How Cannabis and THC May Affect Your Heart Health. (2020, August 7). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-cannabis-may-affect-your-heart-health

CNN, M. M. (n.d.). Young adult cannabis consumers nearly twice as likely to suffer from a heart attack, research shows. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/07/health/cannabis-heart-attack-young-adult-study-wellness/index.html

kristac@stanford.edu, img src=’https://med stanford edu/news/media-contacts/krista_conger/_jcr_content/image img 620 high jpg/conger-krista-90 jpg’ alt=’Krista C. K. C. K. C. is a S. S. W. in the O. of C. E. her at. (n.d.). Marijuana linked to heart disease; supplement may mitigate risk, researchers report. News Center. https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2022/04/marijuana-heart-disease.html

Marijuana may be risky for your heart. (2020, July 1). Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/marijuana-may-be-risky-for-your-heart-2020070120347

Marijuana is risky for people taking common heart medications. (n.d.). NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/heart-health/marijuana-risky-people-taking-common-heart-medications-n1118181