Sunday is 420 day, when lovers of marijuana get together to celebrate their fondness for weed. Yet research shows that regular users of marijuana are at risk for serious conditions, including strokes, heart attacks, cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure and myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart muscle. Now, an increased risk of dementia can be added to the list, according to a large study of more than 6 million people published April 14 in the journal JAMA Neurology. “Someone who has an emergency room visit or hospitalization due to cannabis has a 23% increased risk of dementia within five years compared to someone who was at the hospital for another reason. They have a 72% greater risk compared to the general population,” said study coauthor Dr. Daniel Myran, an assistant professor in the department of family medicine at the University of Ottawa in Canada. “Those numbers have already factored out 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,” Myran said. Earlier research shows marijuana users are nearly 25% more likely to need emergency care and hospitalization than nonusers. “However, this is not a study that anyone should look at and say, ‘Jury’s in, and cannabis use causes dementia,’” Myran said. “This is a study that brings up a concerning association that fits within a growing body of research.” A red flag The study is a red flag for health professionals who should be screening for cannabis use disorder, said Dr. Robert Page II, a professor of clinical pharmacy and physical medicine at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Aurora. “People with cannabis use disorder are unable to stop using even though they encounter health or social problems from use,” said Page, who chaired the medical writing group for the American Heart Association’s 2020 scientific statement on marijuana. “When they stop using it, they either have withdrawal symptoms or have very bad mental health symptoms,” he added. “They might have quite severe depression, or they might have anxiety, all of which can send them to the hospital.” The potency of weed has skyrocketed over the years, which can heighten health risks and is leading to a global rise in marijuana addiction as well as cannabis use disorder, according to a 2022 study. Addiction to marijuana can happen to about 30% of people who use cannabis, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disorder also comes with a higher risk of attention, memory and learning problems, the CDC finds. “The other takeaway from this study is that many people believe marijuana to be natural and therefore safe,” Page said. “It is a psychotropic medication, so it’s going to have psychotropic effects. If you have underlying psychiatric issues, realize that you need to be transparent with your provider and let them know if you’re using this medically or recreationally.” Rates of hospital screening are rising Researchers looked at medical records between 2008 and 2021 for more than 6 million people between the ages of 45 and 105 without dementia who lived in Ontario. Of those, over 16,000 had been seen due to negative responses to marijuana. “Within five years of an emergency room visit or hospitalization for cannabis, 5% of people were diagnosed with dementia, and within 10 years, 19% of people were diagnosed with dementia,” Myran said. Rates of emergency room visits due to marijuana increased fivefold in adults between the ages of 45 and 64 and nearly 27-fold for people 65 and older during those 13 years, according to the study. “While this study was done in Canada, it should apply to all of North America including the US,” he added, pointing to a May 2024 study that shows daily or near daily use of marijuana surpassed alcohol by 2022. If the connection between cannabis use and dementia does turn out to be causal, just how might marijuana trigger cognitive decline in regular users? One possibility is that daily or near daily use of marijuana changes neural connectivity in the brain, Myran said. “There’s certainly a pathway where there’s potential inflammation and microvascular damage from marijuana,” he said. “It could be that regular cannabis use causes people to develop other risk factors for dementia, such as depression, social isolation and lower educational attainment. And it could be that people who regularly use cannabis are more likely to have major trauma to the brain such as a motor vehicle collision.”
Marijuana hospital visits linked to dementia diagnosis within 5 years, study finds
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Study Links Marijuana-Related Hospital Visits to Increased Dementia Risk"
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TruthLens AI Summary
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology has raised concerns about the relationship between marijuana use and the risk of developing dementia. Analyzing medical records of over 6 million individuals aged 45 to 105 in Ontario, the research found that those who had an emergency room visit or hospitalization due to cannabis had a 23% increased risk of dementia within five years, compared to those hospitalized for other reasons. This risk escalates to 72% when compared to the general population. The study accounted for various factors such as age, sex, mental health, and existing chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, highlighting a significant association between cannabis-related health issues and cognitive decline. Dr. Daniel Myran, coauthor of the study, emphasized that while the findings suggest a concerning correlation, they do not definitively establish a causal link between cannabis use and dementia. He noted that previous research indicates marijuana users are nearly 25% more likely to require emergency care than non-users, underscoring the growing health implications of marijuana use.
The increasing potency of marijuana and the rise in its addiction rates have made it imperative for health professionals to screen for cannabis use disorder, according to Dr. Robert Page II. Individuals with this disorder face challenges in ceasing use despite encountering health or social problems, and may experience severe withdrawal symptoms or mental health issues upon cessation. The study also highlighted that emergency room visits related to marijuana have surged, especially among older adults, with a fivefold increase in those aged 45 to 64 and a nearly 27-fold increase in those 65 and older between 2008 and 2021. If a causal relationship between cannabis use and dementia is confirmed, it could be linked to factors such as inflammation, microvascular damage, and the development of other dementia risk factors like depression and social isolation. As marijuana continues to gain acceptance, it is crucial for users to recognize its potential health risks and to communicate openly with healthcare providers regarding their usage.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents new research linking marijuana use to an increased risk of dementia, which raises significant health concerns. By examining a large dataset, the study highlights alarming statistics regarding marijuana-related hospital visits and their association with future dementia diagnoses. This information is crucial, particularly in the context of ongoing debates about marijuana legalization and public health.
Research Findings and Implications
The study reveals that individuals who visit the emergency room or are hospitalized due to cannabis use face a 23% higher risk of developing dementia within five years compared to those hospitalized for other reasons. This statistic is even more concerning when compared to the general population, indicating a 72% greater risk. Such findings could influence public perception of marijuana and its safety, particularly among advocates arguing for its medicinal benefits.
Health Professionals' Concerns
Health experts are urging the medical community to screen for cannabis use disorders more rigorously, as the findings suggest a potential public health issue. The emphasis on the need for screening indicates that there is growing recognition of the risks associated with cannabis use, which may lead to changes in treatment approaches and healthcare policies.
Public Perception and Potential Manipulation
While the study does not definitively state that cannabis use causes dementia, it brings attention to a concerning association. This nuance is important, as it allows the article to present itself as balanced while still potentially swaying public opinion against marijuana use. The language used—such as "red flag" and "concerning association"—may evoke fear and prompt readers to reconsider their views on cannabis.
Connection to Broader Trends
This article fits into a larger narrative surrounding the health risks of marijuana, especially as legalization spreads in various regions. By linking marijuana use to serious health conditions, the article may serve to align itself with health-conscious communities while alienating advocates for cannabis reform.
Economic and Political Considerations
The implications of this research could extend to economic and political spheres, particularly if policymakers decide to use the findings to justify stricter regulations on cannabis. Investors in cannabis stocks might react negatively to such news, leading to fluctuations in the market. The potential impact on public health policy could also lead to broader discussions on healthcare funding and resource allocation.
Community Response
This study may resonate more with health-focused communities, including medical professionals and families concerned about cognitive health. Conversely, it may alienate those who advocate for cannabis as a treatment option, creating a divide in public opinion.
The article appears to be grounded in credible research, though the framing suggests a persuasive angle aimed at raising awareness about the potential risks of marijuana use. While it does not conclusively prove that cannabis causes dementia, it highlights a critical association that could influence how the public and health professionals perceive marijuana.