cannabis Use Associated with Detectable Alterations to DNA, New Research Reveals
CHICAGO – A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry has revealed a โคlink between cannabis use and measurable epigenetic changes in human blood samples, potentially offering insights into the long-term health effects of marijuana. Researchers at Northwestern University discovered these โคalterations, which affect how genes are expressedโ without changing the underlying DNAโฃ sequence itself, in individuals who reported cannabis โขuse.
While theโฃ study doesn’t establish a causal relationship between cannabis andโ health problems, the findingsโค represent aโค meaningful step toward understanding the biological impact ofโ marijuanaโข on the human body. Epigenetic changes have been implicated in a range of conditions,โฃ including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. This research, conducted by โepidemiologist Drew Nannini and his team, could pave the way for further investigation into the potential long-term consequences of cannabis consumption, especially as legalization expands and usage โคrates increase.
The research team analyzed data fromโข over 360 individuals, comparing epigenetic โmarkers in those who reported using cannabis with those who did not.Theyโค identified specific DNA methylation โpatterns – a key epigenetic mechanism – that differed significantly between the two groups. “This research has provided novel insights into the association between marijuana use and epigenetic factors,”โข Nannini said.
Researchers emphasize the need for furtherโ studies to confirm these findings across diverse populations and to determine whether these โepigenetic changes correlate โฃwith specific health outcomes over time. Investigationsโ into the effects of marijuana on age-related health are also planned, aiming to clarify the long-term impact of cannabis on overall well-being. The โstudy wasโค originally โpublished in july 2023 andโ buildsโ on a growing โbody of research exploringโค the complex relationship between cannabis and human health.