Studying the Effects of Cannabis on Vasculature (SECV)

London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Inflammation; Cardiovascular Diseases; Atherosclerosis

Treatments: Other: Chronic Cannabis use

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05581368

WCVP0001

Details and patient eligibility

About

Cannabis is commonly used globally. It is associated with psychiatric problems, but the effects on the cardiovascular system are unclear. In this project, the investigators plan to study the effects of cannabis on the cardiovascular system. This will be done by using a non-invasive test to measure blood vessel function and by using blood samples to measure inflammation. As a control for this project, the investigators would like to test the blood vessel function and inflammation levels of participants who do not use cannabis. This study will provide important information on the long term cardiovascular effects of cannabis.

Full description

Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the world, but the investigators do not know the long-term effects on the cardiovascular system in humans. The investigators have data from cell culture and small animal studies that cannabis is toxic to the cardiovascular system. Recently legalized in Canada, the long-term effects of cannabis use on the cardiovascular system may not be apparent for several decades. The purpose of this study is to test the effect of cannabis use on the vascular system. Using a non-invasive test of vascular function, the investigators would like to assess the effects of cannabis on chronic cannabis users. The investigators would also like to test if cannabis use by smoking and/or vaping causes adverse cardiovascular effects acutely. Lastly, the investigators would like to test blood from chronic cannabis users for inflammatory cytokines, which could further support our hypothesis that cannabis damages the cardiovascular system via inflammation.

Enrollment: 100 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 19 to 80 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• age: 19 to 80
• males and females
• all ethnicities
• cannabis use at least 3-4 times per week or more in the past 6 months (50 volunteers, experimental group)
• patients who do not use cannabis (50 volunteers, control group)
• no history of cardiovascular disease

Exclusion criteria

• that ingest cannabis containing cannabidiol (CBD)
• that are unable to provide a receipt for the cannabis product(s) they ingest
• that are unwilling to stop consuming soy products and/or genistein 48 hours prior to appointments.

Trial design

100 participants in 2 patient groups

Chronic Cannabis Cohort

Description:

For investigations on the effects of cannabis on the cardiovascular system, the investigators would like to recruit 50 participants with the following inclusion criteria: * age: 19 to 80 * males and females * all ethnicities * cannabis use at least 3-4 times per week or more in the past 6 months (50 volunteers, experimental group) * no history of cardiovascular disease For investigations on the effects of cannabis on the cardiovascular system, the investigators will exclude cannabis users: * that ingest cannabis containing cannabidiol (CBD) * that are unable to provide a receipt for the cannabis product(s) they ingest * that are unwilling to stop consuming soy products and/or genistein 48 hours prior to appointments.

Treatment:

Other: Chronic Cannabis use

Control Cohort

Description:

For investigations on the effects of cannabis on the cardiovascular system, the investigators would like to recruit 50 participants with the following inclusion criteria: * age: 19 to 80 * males and females * all ethnicities * patients who do not use cannabis * no history of cardiovascular disease For investigations on the effects of cannabis on the cardiovascular system, the investigators will exclude participants: * that ingest cannabis * that are unwilling to stop consuming soy products and/or genistein 48 hours prior to appointments.