Cannabis use and AF

[macleag]

Hello all. I live in Canada and as of July 1, 2018 recreational use of cannabis becomes legal and in Ontario where I live government regulated stores will sell the wee. My question is: does anyone know of any research relating to the use and effects of cannabis use and atrial fibrillation or other heart issues. Some say it’s safer to use than alcohol but is it still considered unwarranted to use if you have heart issues. Any experience in this regard. Cheers

[Globe-J]

Hello,

It seems you need to investigate, and above all - watch your personal reaction. Here is something:

medscape.com/viewarticle/57...

"Although some recent case reports indicate an association between marijuana smoking and atrial fibrillation (AF), the actual significance of this phenomenon remains unknown."

[Hidden]

I would be very careful here. Having seen the effects of marijuana smoking and mental health at close hand I would give it a wide berth.

[Victoria55]

Not going to lie, but I did give it a try just curious to how it would affect me. Well I was a total wreck the entire time, heart started racing, became very anxious, was afraid I would end up in the ER and have to explain that event to my cardiologist . Never again, wasn’t worth it for one minute.

[Hidden]

It did not cause me any ill effects. I was very cautious and found it helped me relax. I haven't really seen any studies or research, but surely there is some. I found the dispensaries in Colorado to be very helpful with choosing the right strain for you.

[Hidden]

Mate of mine tried it a couple of times and it gave him palpitations.

[RobertELee]

Hard to understand why you would even consider it. Apart from the smell and the mind-altering properties, it's four times more carcinogenic than a tobacco cigarette. AF is a breeze compared to cancer I should have thought.

[cbaum in reply to RobertELee]

I found this report from the US National Institutes of Health which does not substantiate the claim of cannabis being more carcinogenic than tobacco. I did not study the entire report, but it does indicate that cannabis can be less carcinogenic than tobacco smoke, and in some cases a cancer antidote. Also, cannabis does not have to be smoked. In any event, I would study all I could before using cannabis.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[djmnet]

I'm from Colorado too, and I have smoked it for many years, long before I had afib. While I don't partake when I'm actually in afib, it does not cause me any problems. And it most certainly is NOT more carcinogenic than cigarettes. It actually has been proven to have many health benefits.

[Slattery]

I live in Washington State and smoke cannabis on special occasions, it calms me and I have had no problems with it affecting my Afib as long as taken in moderation.

[RobertELee]

As I said it has mind-altering properties that can even lead some poor users to believe cannabis is not carcinogenic......QED