Blood biomarkers can provide insights into both recent and long-term exposures to such factors.
“We previously identified associations between marijuana use and the aging process as captured through DNA methylation,” Hou said. “We wanted to further explore whether specific epigenetic factors were associated with marijuana and whether these factors are related to health outcomes.”
DNA “Markers” Associated with Cannabis Use
The researchers examined blood samples taken from study participants at two different points over a 20-year period. The participants, who were aged between 18 and 30 at the study’s outset, provided blood samples at the 15-year and 20-year marks.
This comprehensive data allowed the researchers to estimate cumulative cannabis use over time and compare it with DNA methylation markers in the participants’ blood.
The study identified numerous DNA methylation markers associated with cannabis use. In the 15-year blood samples, researchers found 22 markers linked to recent cannabis use and 31 markers associated with cumulative use. By the 20-year point, they had identified 132 markers related to recent use and 16 linked to cumulative use.
