Study: Use of MJ in Treating Heart Defects
Recently, a team of researchers from New Jersey reported to the American Heart Association that MJ can be successfully used in the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases, including congenital heart defects. The evidence for the plant’s therapeutic effectiveness was personally presented by the study’s author, Dr. Oluwole Adegbola, to members of the U.S. Cardiology Association board. The board acknowledged that this new data fundamentally changes the medical community’s understanding of how cannabinoids affect heart function.
Previously, science believed that frequent use of MJ could actually lead to cardiovascular problems, particularly increasing the risk of heart attacks. However, to their surprise, Dr. Adegbola’s team found, after analyzing data from more than 6 million patients, that MJ consumption significantly reduces atrial fibrillation in the body, which lowers the risk of various heart defects. The study included patients suffering from heart failure who were hospitalized in the U.S. between 2007 and 2014. Of these, about 23,000 were MJ users, and around 1,200 were classified as “chronic” smokers.
Dr. Adegbola reports that people in the MJ user group were 18% less likely to experience atrial fibrillation upon hospital admission. Additionally, they had a 46% higher chance of surviving the reason for their emergency room visit compared to non-users. Chronic users had a 31% lower likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation than non-users, and a 58% higher chance of surviving cardiac arrest. It’s important to note that the researchers carefully reviewed each patient’s case, adjusting for age, existing illnesses, and history of using other legal and illegal psychoactive substances.
Despite finding a clear pattern, Dr. Adegbola and his colleagues could not precisely explain the mechanism by which MJ works. Previous studies on the effects of cannabinoids on the cardiovascular system found that activation of CB receptors significantly reduces blood vessel pressure and stimulates the breakdown of blood clots, which overall decreases the risk of fatal heart problems. Dr. Adegbola also notes that CBD has the ability to reduce inflammation in soft tissues, including the heart muscle, which is another factor supporting the plant’s healing effects on heart health.
Nevertheless, despite his colleagues’ enthusiasm, Dr. Adegbola believes that doctors should conduct practical trials of these findings before recommending MJ use to people with serious cardiovascular diseases.
Prepared by: Il0