New Delhi: A study involving over 1,000 adults suggests that using cannabis could lead to changes in the human body’s epigenome, a crucial mechanism that regulates gene activity. The epigenome acts like a set of switches, turning genes on or off and influencing how our bodies function.
The research, published in 2023, was led by epidemiologist Lifang Hou from Northwestern University. “We observed associations between cumulative marijuana use and multiple epigenetic markers across time,” Hou explained.
Cannabis is widely used in the United States, with nearly half of the population having tried it at least once. Despite its growing legal status in several US states and other countries, its effects on health remain incompletely understood.
To investigate these effects, Hou and her team analyzed data from around 1,000 adults who had participated in a long-term study, reporting their cannabis use over a 20-year period. Blood samples were collected from participants at the 15- and 20-year marks, and the researchers examined the epigenetic changes, specifically DNA methylation levels, associated with cannabis use.
DNA methylation, a well-studied epigenetic modification, involves the addition or removal of methyl groups from DNA. This process does not alter the DNA sequence but can change gene activity by making it more difficult for cells to read genetic instructions. Environmental and lifestyle factors, including cannabis use, can trigger these methylation changes, which may be passed on to future generations.
“We previously identified associations between marijuana use and the aging process as captured through DNA methylation,” said Hou. “We wanted to further explore whether specific epigenetic factors were associated with marijuana and whether these factors are related to health outcomes.”
The study found numerous DNA methylation markers associated with cannabis use. In blood samples from the 15-year mark, the researchers identified 22 markers linked to recent use and 31 markers linked to cumulative use. In samples from the 20-year mark, they found 132 markers associated with recent use and 16 markers linked to cumulative use.
“Interestingly, we consistently identified one marker that has previously been associated with tobacco use,” Hou noted, suggesting a possible shared epigenetic regulation between tobacco and marijuana use.
Some of the epigenetic changes linked to cannabis use have also been associated with conditions such as cellular proliferation, hormone signaling, infections, neurological disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders.
However, it’s important to clarify that this study does not prove that cannabis directly causes these epigenetic changes or related health problems. “This research has provided novel insights into the association between marijuana use and epigenetic factors,” said epidemiologist Drew Nannini from Northwestern University.
Further studies are needed to determine whether these associations are consistent across different populations and to explore the long-term effects of cannabis on age-related health outcomes. The study has been published in Molecular Psychiatry.
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