“Interestingly, we consistently identified one marker that has previously been associated with tobacco use,” Hou noted, “suggesting a potential shared epigenetic regulation between tobacco and marijuana use.”
Implications and Future Research
Several of the epigenetic changes associated with cannabis use have previously been linked to conditions such as cellular proliferation, hormone signaling, infections, and neurological disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, as well as substance use disorders.
However, it’s important to note that this study does not prove that cannabis directly causes these changes or related health problems.
“This research has provided novel insights into the association between marijuana use and epigenetic factors,” said Drew Nannini, an epidemiologist from Northwestern University.
“Additional studies are needed to determine whether these associations are consistently observed in different populations. Moreover, studies examining the effect of marijuana on age-related health outcomes may provide further insight into the long-term effect of marijuana on health.”
