American researchers have visualized numerous epigenetic in the blood of cannabis users. The results obtained could explain infections and certain mental disorders, although further studies will be needed to prove a causal link.
A new study suggests that cannabis use can lead to epigenetic changes in the genome
Researchers from American universities have observed numerous epigenetic changes in the blood of cannabis users. These findings could explain the origin of infections and certain mental disorders, although further, more in-depth studies will be needed to prove a causal link.
A new long-term study conducted on a sample of over 1,000 adults suggests that cannabis use can lead to epigenetic modifications of the genome. Epigenetics does not alter the DNA sequenceitself, but rather regulates gene activity by activating or deactivating, thereby changing how the body functions.
The addition or removal of methyl groups from DNA is one of the most studied epigenetic modifications.
According to Professor Lifang Hou , an epidemiologist working at Northwestern University 's Feinberg School of Medicine : "We had already identified associations between marijuana use (made from cannabis leaves) and the aging process as understood by DNA methylation.
We then wanted to examine whether specific epigenetic factors were associated with marijuana use and whether these factors were linked to health outcomes.
The researchers analyzed blood samples containing biomarkers that allow, among other things, the visualization of DNA methylation.
A thousand participants, aged between 18 and 30 at the start of the study, provided these samples twice, over a period of 20 years.
In blood samples taken after 15 years, no fewer than 22 DNA methylation markers were associated with recent cannabis use and 31 with cumulative cannabis use.
In those that had been collected after 20 years, researchers found 132 markers linked to recent consumption and 16 to cumulative consumption.
According to the epidemiologist: "Most of the epigenetic changes have been found in pathways previously linked to cell proliferation, hormonal signaling, infections and mental disorders such as Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and disorders related to the use of psychoactive substances ."
This suggests that long-term cannabis use could cause health problems, although research has not yet proven this.
These results should not be taken lightly, as these studies were conducted by leading cannabis experts. They therefore suggest that heavy cannabis users carefully consider their options before consuming cannabis. Failure to do so could expose them to numerous diseases related to marijuana use.
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