A study of more than 1,000 adults suggests that cannabis use can cause changes in the human epigenome. The epigenome acts like a series of switches, activating or deactivating genes to change how our body functions.
“We observed an association between cumulative marijuana use and multiple epigenetic markers over time.” To tell Liefang Hou, a preventive medicine scientist and epidemiologist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, said:
cannabis It’s a commonly used substance in the United States, with 49% of people trying it at least once, Hou and a team of US researchers report in a report. published papers. Although some US states and other countries have legalized it, its effects on our health are still not fully understood.
Researchers surveyed about 1,000 adults who participated in a previous long-term study that asked them about their cannabis use over 20 years. Study participants provided blood samples twice during that time, at 15 and 20 years. They were 18 to 30 years old at baseline, or “year 0.”
Using these blood samples 5 years apart, Hou and her team found epigenetic changes, specifically DNA methylation The level of recent or long-term cannabis use in people.
add or remove methyl group Modifications from DNA are among the most studied epigenetic modifications. Gene activity changes without altering the genome sequence. Because when these molecular changes get in the way, it makes it harder for cells to read the genome’s instruction manual.
Environmental and lifestyle factors can trigger these methylation changes, which can be passed on to future generations and blood. biomarker We can provide information on recent and past exposures.
“We previously identified a link between marijuana use and the aging process captured through DNA methylation,” says Ho. To tell.
“We wanted to further investigate whether specific epigenetic factors are associated with marijuana and whether these factors are associated with health outcomes.”
Comprehensive data on cannabis use by participants allowed participants to estimate their cumulative and recent use over time and analyze it relative to DNA methylation markers in their blood.
They found numerous DNA methylation markers from 15-year blood samples, 22 of which were associated with recent use and 31 with cumulative cannabis use. Samples taken at 20 years identified 132 markers associated with recent use and 16 markers associated with cumulative use.
“Interestingly, we consistently identified one marker previously associated with tobacco use,” Hou said. explain“suggests that common epigenetic regulation may exist between tobacco and marijuana use.”
Multiple epigenetic changes associated with cannabis use have previously been associated with: cell proliferation, hormone signalinginfectious diseases, neurological diseases such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorderand substance use disorders.
It’s important to note that this study does not prove that cannabis directly causes these changes or causes any health problems.
“This study provides new insights into the links between marijuana use and epigenetic factors.” To tell Northwestern University epidemiologist Drew Nannini said.
“Additional research is needed to determine whether these associations are consistently observed in different populations. Additionally, studies investigating the effects of marijuana on age-related health outcomes may provide further insight into the long-term effects of marijuana on health.”
This research molecular psychiatry.
