Summarised by Centrist
According to a study led by epidemiologist Lifang Hou at Northwestern University, long-term cannabis use may cause changes in the body’s epigenome, those switches that help turn genes on and off.
The research, which analysed blood samples from over 1,000 adults, revealed how these epigenetic markers could affect various aspects of health, though the scientists were quick to note that correlation doesn’t equal causation.
The study examined cannabis use over a 20-year period, with participants providing blood samples at 15 and 20 years into the study. The researchers found a variety of DNA methylation markers, with 132 linked to recent cannabis use in the 20-year samples.
Methylation is a process where small molecules called methyl groups attach to DNA. This doesn’t change the DNA itself, but it can turn genes on or off, affecting how they work.
“Interestingly, we consistently identified one marker that has previously been associated with tobacco use,” said Lifang Hou, an epidemiologist from Northwestern University, hinting at shared effects between tobacco and marijuana.
Hou’s team also linked these epigenetic changes to several health issues, including neurological disorders, substance use disorders, and cellular proliferation.
However, they stressed that the study doesn’t prove cannabis causes these changes, and further research is necessary to explore how cannabis impacts long-term health.
