Epigenetic Tips for Healthy Cannabis Consumers

A Holocene survey of over 1,000 adult propose that Cannabis consumption may lead to change in the homo body 's epigenome . The epigenome Acts_of_the_Apostles as a set of switch that can bend gene on or off , impact how our body function . epidemiologist Lifang Hou from Northwestern University explain that they found association between marijuana use and assorted epigenetic marker over time . Cannabis is widely use in the United States , with nearly one-half of the population try it at least once . However , the full_moon extent of its effects on health is still not fully understood.

The research_worker concentrate on a group of 1,000 adult who had been part of a hanker - term survey that track their cannabis use over a 20 - year time_period . blood sample were roll_up from the participant at the 15- and 20 - year Marks . The survey participant were between 18 and 30 old_age old at the start of the survey . By analyze the deoxyribonucleic_acid methylation degree in the blood sample take five old_age apart , the research_worker were able to identify epigenetic change in person who had recently use cannabis or use it over an widen period.

deoxyribonucleic_acid methylation , which involve add or remove methyl group from deoxyribonucleic_acid , is a well - know epigenetic alteration . These change can change gene activity without affect the familial sequence itself , impact how gene are express in cell . environmental and life_style factor can influence deoxyribonucleic_acid methylation , and these change can be inherit by future coevals . blood sample can serve as biomarkers of both Holocene and past exposure to assorted substance or environmental factors.

The research_worker identify a number of deoxyribonucleic_acid methylation marker associate with cannabis use in the blood sample roll_up at the 15- and 20 - year point . Some marker were associate to Holocene cannabis use , while others were associate with accumulative use over time . Interestingly , one marker previously associate to tobacco use was consistently identify in person who use marijuana , bespeak a potential share epigenetic regulation between the two substances.

While previous survey have connect epigenetic change associate to cannabis use to assorted health conditions , include neurological disorder and substance use disorder , it is necessity to note that this survey does not prove a direct cause - and - consequence relationship between cannabis consumption and these change . More research is necessitate to confirm these findings across different population and research the hanker - term impact of cannabis on health result . epidemiologist Drew Nannini stress the need for extra survey to further understand the association between marijuana use and epigenetic factors.