Research shows that regular marijuana users The risk of serious illnesses, including strokes, heart attacks, cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure and myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart muscle. And now, a broad study with over 6 million people published in the journal Jama Neurology adds to the list of possible negative effects A higher risk of dementia .
“Someone who enters a emergency room or hospital due to the use of cannabis has A 23% higher risk dementia in five years compared to someone who was in the hospital for another reason, ”says the co -author of the study Daniel Myran, assistant professor at the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa, Canada. “They have a 72% higher risk compared to the general population.”
“These numbers already discard other reasons for dementia, such as age, sex, mental health or substance use, and whether or not you have chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease,” adds Myran.
Previous searches indicate that marijuana users have almost 25% more chances of needing emergency care and hospitalization than non -users.
“However, this is not a study that someone should analyze and say,” The jury has decided, and the use of cannabis causes dementia, “says Myran. “This is a study that raises a worrying association that fits a growing body of research.”
Alert sign
According to researcher Robert Page, professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Physical Medicine at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Skaggs at the University of Colorado in Aurora, the study is a warning sign for health professionals who should track the disorder due to cannabis.
“People with cannabis use disorder are unable to stop using, even if they face health or social problems arising from use,” says Page, who presided over the American Heart Association scientific declaration of 2020 scientific statement.
“When they stop using, they have symptoms of abstinence or very serious mental health symptoms,” he adds. “They may have very serious depression or anxiety, and all this can take them to the hospital.”
THE marijuana use has shot over the last few years which may increase health risks and has led to a global increase in marijuana dependence as well as cannabis use disorder, according to a 2022 study.
Dependence on marijuana can reach about 30% of people using cannabis according to US Disease Control and Prevention Centers (CDC). The disorder also causes a higher risk of attention, memory and learning problems, according to the CDC.
“Another conclusion of this study is that many people believe that marijuana is natural and therefore safe,” says Page. “It’s a psychotropic drug, so you will have psychotropic effects. If you have underlying psychiatric problems, you need to be transparent with your doctor and inform you if you are using medicinally or recreational.”
Increased medical care
The researchers analyzed medical records between 2008 and 2021 More than 6 million people aged between 45 and 105 years without dementia living in Ontario. Of these, more than 16,000 were served due to negative responses to marijuana use.
“Within five years of a trip to Cannabis emergency room or hospitalization, 5% of people were diagnosed with dementia and, in 10 years, 19% of people were diagnosed with dementia,” says Myran.
To the Emergency entrance fees due to marijuana use increased five times In adults between 45 and 64 years old and almost 27 times for people 65 years or older during these 13 years, according to the study.
“Although this study has been conducted in Canada, it should apply to all of North America, including the United States,” added the study co -author, who also cites a May 2024 survey that shows that the daily or almost daily use of marijuana exceeded alcohol in 2022.
If the connection between cannabis use and dementia is causal, how can marijuana trigger cognitive decline in regular users? One possibility is that the daily or almost daily use of marijuana changes neural connectivity in the brain, according to Myran.
“Certainly, there is a path that indicates potential inflammation and microvascular damage caused by marijuana,” says the researcher. “It may be regular cannabis use to make people develop other risk factors for dementia, such as depression, social isolation and less education. And it may be that people who use cannabis regularly are more likely to suffer serious brain trauma, such as a motor vehicle collision.”
This content was originally published under study associates medical care by use of marijuana at risk of dementia on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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