Study: Smoking cannabis makes you age faster

American researchers have found a link between smoking cannabis and rapid epigenetic aging. Their study, published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, shows that smoking cannabis (in joints, blunts…) results in a «acceleration» the age of the human body. This epigenetic age may differ from the actual age.

Their study does, however, highlight an important point: it is not cannabis itself that causes aging, but rather, the act of smoking it. In fact, they observed an alteration in the AHRR gene among the cannabis smokers they studied. This gene is also disrupted by cigarette smoke and air pollution. This raises questions about the role of smoking.

«Evidence suggests that this aging may be due to hydrocarbon inhalation among cannabis smokers. Further research is needed to understand this link.», concludes the study conducted by Joseph P. Allen.

It's better to consume cannabis orally or by vaporization

To achieve this result, researchers followed 154 Americans for 17 years, from age 13 to 30. Throughout that time, they filled out an annual form detailing their cannabis use. Then, on their 30th birthday, they provided two blood samples to the scientists. These were analyzed to determine their epigenetic age.

Thus, it was those who consumed the most cannabis who had the most advanced «biological age.» The effects were even more pronounced when cannabis use had occurred most recently.

This study therefore to emphasize something we already knew : Smoking cannabis is bad for you. And even though cannabis isn’t particularly good for your health, it’s best to give up smoking joints to minimize the risks. To do so, prioritize other methods of consumption, such as vaporization, or use in sweet or savory recipes.