This suck as I use edibles to sleep from time to time. Probably going to cut back. I'm 56 and my BP is around 115 over 73 with a resting pulse of 60 to 63. So it doesn't seem like it has done much damage to me yet. Maybe because I exercise a lot and only take 5mg? However, I do notice it causes my heart rate to increase quite a bit until it wears off after 3 hours. Does anyone know of any criticisms of this study?

Chronic Cannabis Use, Including Edibles, Linked to Endothelial Dysfunction

Chronic cannabis use is bad for your heart, whether you smoke it or consume edibles, according to a new study.

Researchers found evidence of endothelial dysfunction, an upstream risk factor for cardiovascular disease, in cannabis users regardless of how they used the substance.

The research adds to a growing body of research suggesting that cannabis is not benign.

New research has linked tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in many cannabis products, to impaired vascular function, a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

A growing body of evidenceTrusted Source suggests that smoking THC-containing cannabis likely harms heart health. But far less is known about other forms of cannabis use, such as vaping and edibles.

The use of THC-containing cannabis edibles has surged in popularity as legalization has spread across the United States.

But a new study published on May 28 in JAMA CardiologyTrusted Source suggests that both modes of cannabis consumption -- smoking and ingesting -- are associated with endothelial dysfunction, comparable to tobacco smoke in healthy adults.

Endothelial dysfunction is a form of heart disease that impairs blood vessels from dilating. Endothelial cells are a thin membrane that lines the inner surface of blood vessels and helps regulate blood flow.

"The bottom line is that smoking marijuana does not appear to avoid the harmful vascular effects of smoking tobacco, and neither does frequent use of THC edibles," Matthew L. Springer, PhD, professor of medicine at UCSF, and senior author of the research, told Healthline.

Other experts agreed, but with some caveats.

"While this study does have limitations, including an inability to prove a direct causal role, it adds to the growing sense that marijuana is not benign, and may be associated with risk for heart disease," said Nicholas Leeper, MD, professor of vascular surgery and cardiovascular medicine at Stanford Medicine. Leeper was not involved in the study.

More: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/cannabis-edibles-endothelial-dysfunction-cardiovascular-disease