A newly published study makes the case that there’s reason to be alarmed about cannabis use. It particularly underscores its connections to cardiovascular disease and dementia. The results are quite significant, indicating that cannabis increases the risk of strokes and heart attacks. On top of that, it can increase the risk of dying young. This study looked at the health data of more than 6 million people. Most importantly, it underscores the urgent need to learn more about risks, especially long-term risks, of cannabis use.
The study highlights a worrying trend: cannabis users who visited the emergency room (ER) were 23% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia within five years compared to their non-using counterparts. People who were hospitalized for other reasons had a new and shocking 72% increased risk of dementia if they ever tried cannabis before. This startling number shows just how dangerous cannabis can be when consumed irresponsibly. This is greater than the rate of dementia in the general population, which sits at 1.3%. Cannabis users exhibit the complete opposite trend.
Studies found almost 19% of habitual cannabis users were diagnosed with dementia a decade later after an ER or hospital visit. In comparison, just 15% of nonusers received the same diagnosis. This disparity begs the further question of what the long-term cognitive impacts of cannabis use may be. Their data showed that, among cannabis users, nearly 5% developed dementia within five years. By comparison, just 3.6 percent of those who pursued care for other medical concerns found themselves in the same situation.
Average age of cannabis users in this study was 55-years-old and nearly 60% were male. Taken together, these findings point to a perverse reality. The incidence of dementia among older adults, 65 years and older, has increased almost 27 times in the past decades. At the same time, this demographic shift adds urgency to the need for awareness of the possible dangers of cannabis use.
Along with its cognitive effects, the study indicated cardiovascular dangers associated with cannabis use. The researchers concluded that there is substantial evidence that regular cannabis use can negatively affect cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of strokes and heart attacks. The combined impacts of these health hazards create a hazardous environment. Cannabis use is associated with increased risk of premature death.
The latest study brought to light a really interesting piece of research. It found that cannabis consumption was associated with a 31 percent reduced risk of developing dementia than those who were treated in hospitals—or emergency rooms—for alcohol use. This new revelation makes the burgeoning narrative of cannabis as a safer substitute for alcohol a little more complex. It fails to address the larger risks associated with long-term cannabis consumption.
The implications of this study are far-reaching and should provoke additional scrutiny into the long-term health effects of cannabis use. It’s no surprise then that more states and entire countries than ever are considering legalizing or decriminalizing cannabis. That’s why it’s so important for healthcare providers and policymakers to understand how these changes can affect public health.
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