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Smoking marijuana can increase the levels of potentially harmful chemicals in a person’s body, but to a lesser extent than tobacco, according to a new study by researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the CDC.
The study, published online by EClinicalMedicine on Monday, involved 245 HIV-positive and HIV-negative participants in three studies of HIV infection in the United States, according to a statement from Dana-Farber.
Researchers found that participants who smoked only pot had higher blood and urine levels of several smoke-related chemicals such as the metabolites of naphthalene, acrylamide, and acrylonitrile than non-smokers. , according to the press release.
But the levels of these substances were lower in marijuana smokers than in tobacco smokers, the statement said.
Additionally, according to the statement, the study found that acrolein metabolites – generated by the breakdown of acrolein – were elevated in tobacco smokers but not in pot users.
“Marijuana use is on the rise in the United States with a growing number of states legalizing it for medical and non-medical purposes – including five more states in the 2020 election,” the lead author said. study, Dr. Dana Gabuzda. “The increase has renewed concerns about the potential health effects of marijuana smoke, which is known to contain some of the same toxic combustion products as tobacco smoke.
The study, according to the statement, found that exposure to acrolein, a chemical produced by the combustion of several materials, increases with smoking but not with marijuana and contributes to cardiovascular disease in tobacco smokers.
“Our results suggest that high levels of acrolein can be used to identify patients with increased cardiovascular risk,” Gabuzda said. “And that reducing exposure to acrolein from smoking and other sources could be a strategy to reduce the risks.”
Travis Andersen can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on twitter @TAGlobe.
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