The Truth About Cannabis And Heart Health

Let’s be honest: if you use cannabis regularly and care about your health, you’ve probably asked yourself some version of this question:

“Is this actually doing anything bad to my body?”

You feel calmer, more present. You sleep better. Maybe it helps with joint pain or anxiety. But then you read headlines like “Cannabis users have higher heart attack risk” or “Marijuana might damage blood vessels.”

And suddenly that evening vape or wake-and-bake coffee doesn’t feel quite so wholesome.

So… can weed damage your heart?

Short answer: It can.
Longer answer: It depends on the compound, the dose, the delivery, your underlying health, and your intention.

Here’s what the latest science actually says, without the scaremongering or sugar-coating.

What the New Research Says

A study published this month in JAMA Cardiology delivered a warning: regular cannabis users showed impaired vascular function, even if they didn’t smoke it.

Researchers measured the ability of arteries to dilate (called flow-mediated dilation), a key marker of heart health.

They found that people who used cannabis regularly – whether they smoked or used edibles – had almost half the vascular function of non-users.

For smokers, it was even worse. Their blood markers looked a lot like cigarette smokers’. Not great.

And this isn’t an outlier.

• A 2024 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that daily cannabis users had 25% higher odds of heart attack, even if they didn’t smoke tobacco.
• A 2019 analysis linked cannabis use to a 2.5x increased risk of stroke in young adults.
• Hospital data shows higher rates of atrial fibrillation (AF) – an irregular heart rhythm that increases stroke risk – among regular users.

So yes, there’s growing evidence that cannabis, especially THC-heavy products, can stress your cardiovascular system. But context is everything.

Not All Weed Is Created Equal

Cannabis isn’t a single compound. It’s a cocktail. And two of its best-known ingredients, THC and CBD, affect the heart in very different ways.

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol):

• Raises heart rate (by 20–50 bpm)
• Spikes blood pressure (especially in new users)
• Increases oxygen demand in the heart
• Can trigger arrhythmias in vulnerable people

Think of THC like pressing the accelerator on your nervous system. It stimulates the sympathetic “fight-or-flight” response, which is great if you’re trying to focus or explore consciousness, but not so great if your arteries are stiff or inflamed.

CBD (Cannabidiol):

• Lowers blood pressure (especially under stress)
• Calms the nervous system
• Reduces inflammation
• May protect blood vessels

CBD doesn’t get you high, and it doesn’t stress your heart the way THC can. In fact, one study found that 600mg of CBD reduced blood pressure during stress tests.

Smoking vs Edibles vs Vapes

Let’s get one thing straight: smoking anything is bad for your blood vessels.

Cannabis smoke delivers tar and carbon monoxide into your lungs. That’s partly why even occasional use can stiffen your arteries, and why the JAMA study found smokers fared worse than edible users.

Edibles aren’t totally innocent either. They avoid smoke, but THC still affects the cardiovascular system, especially in high doses or if you’re new to it.

Vaping is a middle ground. It avoids combustion, but you still absorb THC rapidly. If you’re going to inhale, a temperature-controlled dry herb vape is your safest bet.

But What About the Way You Use It?

This is where things get interesting and we have to use more conjecture, because most of the research doesn’t ask whether the cannabis user is:

• Using it for sleep, pain, or creativity
• Smoking all day out of habit
• Pairing it with alcohol or processed food
• Integrating it into a life of movement, breathwork, and community

And that’s a big blind spot.

Because from a systems view, your cardiovascular risk isn’t just about cannabis – it’s about your metabolic health.

If you’re sedentary, inflamed, stressed, and snacking on crisps every night, cannabis might be the straw that breaks the camel’s aorta. But if you’re eating well, moving daily, managing your stress, and using cannabis intentionally, the picture shifts.

Some researchers suggest that cannabis (particularly CBD-rich products and low doses of THC) may help regulate blood pressure and reduce inflammation in certain contexts.

For example, small, consistent doses of THC have shown significant benefits for the ageing brain. It’s therefore plausible that similar low-dose use could also support cardiovascular health.

This idea is rooted in the concept of hormesis – the principle that small amounts of stress can trigger beneficial adaptations in the body. It’s the same mechanism behind how exercise improves heart health.

So… Is Cannabis Safe for My Heart?

It can be, depending on how you use it.

Here’s what we know:

• Chronic heavy THC use, especially via smoking, is linked to increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and arrhythmia.
• Occasional THC use, especially in healthy people, likely carries much lower risk.
• CBD-dominant products are probably cardio-neutral or even protective.
• Regular low-doses of THC may produce positive hormetic adaptations.
• Combining cannabis with poor lifestyle habits amplifies cardiovascular risk.
• Mindful, intentional use (with healthy boundaries) may mitigate harm.

In other words, the difference between medicine and poison? The dose, the delivery, the person, and the intention.

It’s not that weed is “good” or “bad.” It’s how much THC vs CBD, how often, how you take it, and who you are.

How to Use Weed Without Wrecking Your Heart

1. Ditch the combustion.
Smoke = vascular damage. Use a dry herb vape, tincture, or edible instead.

2. Go easy on the THC.
Microdose. Use strains with balanced CBD:THC ratios. Know your tolerance.

3. Know your context.
Don’t use cannabis to mask chronic stress, sleep deprivation, or emotional avoidance. That’s when it starts biting back.

4. Pair it with health, not harm.
Cannabis plus fresh air, stretching, music, journaling? Great.
Cannabis plus booze, late-night kebabs, doomscrolling? Less so.

5. Check in with your body.
If you notice palpitations, breathlessness, or dizziness after consuming – pause and evaluate. Your nervous system is talking to you.

Final Puff: A Nuanced Truth

Cannabis is neither poison nor panacea. It’s a plant with powerful compounds that interact with your brain, body, and bloodstream. And like any powerful tool, it demands respect.

If you consume cannabis but are also trying to stay sharp, mobile, and heart-healthy, you don’t have to quit. But you do have to use it wisely.

Because yes, weed can hurt your heart. But it can also help it.

Sign up to the newsletter for more…