If you’ve always thought of cannabis as the “chill” alternative to alcohol or tobacco, you’re not alone. But a new study is throwing some serious shade on that assumption. According to the findings, using cannabis could actually double your risk of dying from heart disease. Yeah, double.
The researchers also found that cannabis use bumps up your chances of having a heart attack by nearly 30%, and a stroke by about 20%. That’s not exactly a minor side effect.
Breaking Down the Research on Cannabis
This wasn’t just a small study buried in an obscure journal. It pulled together data from 24 separate studies, covering nearly 200 million people, mostly between the ages of 19 and 59. In other words, a pretty solid snapshot of the global adult population.
What really stood out? A lot of cannabis users in the study were young and didn’t have the typical risk factors you’d expect, like smoking cigarettes or having existing heart issues. Yet, they were still more likely to suffer major heart events.
Dr. Lynn Silver from UCSF, who wrote an editorial on the study, summed it up like this:
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the U.S. and globally.
Her point? If we’re serious about tackling heart disease, we need to take cannabis risks seriously, too.
What’s Going On? Why Is Weed Tough on the Heart?
Weed’s effects on the heart aren’t totally clear yet, but scientists have a few working theories.
THC, the main psychoactive compound, can mess with your heart rhythm, increase how much oxygen your heart needs, and make your blood vessels less able to do their job (which is, essentially, relaxing and expanding when they’re supposed to). That combo can make it harder for blood to flow where it needs to go. Not ideal.
One previous study even showed that the risk of a heart attack goes way up within an hour of lighting up.
Weed Is Everywhere Now, And It’s Getting Stronger
Let’s face it: cannabis use has exploded in the past decade. With legalization spreading across the U.S. and even countries like Germany jumping on board, the perception of cannabis has shifted from “dangerous drug” to something closer to “organic wellness remedy.”
People use it to relax, sleep better, ease pain, and just zone out. And sure, it’s natural, but that doesn’t mean it’s harmless. Today’s weed is a lot more potent than it was 20 years ago. Higher THC levels might be adding more pressure to your heart than you think.
And here's a stat that might surprise you: daily cannabis use now outpaces daily alcohol use in some groups, especially younger adults. That makes the findings of this study a big deal for public health, whether you're using weed for medical reasons or just to unwind.
What Can You Do About It?
Experts aren’t calling for cannabis to be banned or criminalized again, but they are urging caution. They recommend that doctors start asking patients about cannabis use, the same way they do with smoking or alcohol.
The goal here isn't judgment, it's awareness. If you’re using regularly, especially high-potency strains, it might be time to have an honest chat with your healthcare provider.
There’s also a push to protect others from secondhand cannabis smoke or vapor, just like we do with tobacco.
Quick Recap (Because This Stuff Matters):
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Using cannabis may double your risk of dying from heart disease.
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It increases your chances of a heart attack by 29% and stroke by 20%.
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Even young, healthy people are at risk.
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Today’s weed is stronger and more widely used than ever before.
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Doctors should screen for cannabis use and talk to patients about it.
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Weed shouldn’t be criminalized, but it should definitely be treated with the same caution as tobacco.
