Heart Matters: Uncovering the Connection Between Cannabis, Cardiovascular, and Oral Health

Introduction:

In this blog post, we delve into the critical relationship between cannabis consumption and cardiovascular health. By understanding how smoking cannabis impacts your heart, you can take necessary precautions to protect your well-being. We'll be referencing research studies like those conducted by Mittleman et al. (2001) and Shariff et al. (2020) to provide you with credible information.

The Link Between Cannabis and Cardiovascular Health:

Cannabis consumption can affect your heart due to its vasoconstrictive properties. By narrowing blood vessels and raising blood pressure, smoking marijuana forces the heart to work harder. Studies indicate that the risk of heart attacks significantly increases in the hour following marijuana use. Moreover, the oral health complications resulting from cannabis smoking can further impact your cardiovascular health.

Connecting Oral Health and Cardiovascular Health in Cannabis Users:

The temperature of cannabis smoke plays a significant role in its toxicity level. High-temperature consumption leads to increased psychoactive effects, but it also exposes you to more toxins and carcinogens. These harmful substances can cause oxidative stress and necrotic cell death in tissues directly exposed to the smoke, leading to oral health issues like periodontitis. This connection between gum disease and heart disease highlights the importance of oral health when smoking cannabis.

Protecting Your Cardiovascular and Oral Health While Using Cannabis:

To preserve your cardiovascular and oral health, consider using a water-filtered bong to cool the smoke and remove harmful substances. Regularly clean and maintain your bong for optimal health benefits. Alternatively, explore consumption methods like vaporization, edibles, or tinctures to minimize the impact on your cardiovascular and oral health.

References:

Mittleman, M. A., Lewis, R. A., Maclure, M., Sherwood, J. B., & Muller, J. E. (2001). Triggering myocardial infarction by marijuana. Circulation, 103(23), 2805-2809. Retrieved from https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.CIR.103.23.2805

Shariff, J. A., Ahluwalia, M., Papapanou, P. N., Loomer, P. M., & Genco, R. J. (2020). The effect of marijuana on periodontal disease: A systematic review. Journal of the American Dental Association, 151(11), 783-792. Retrieved from https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(20)30481-6/fulltext