How chronic marijuana use affects blood vessel function
Official title: Effects of chronic marijuana use on endothelial function
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11077748 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using marijuana regularly and being around others who smoke it might affect heart health, especially how it impacts the blood vessels, to help understand the risks for people who use marijuana or are exposed to its smoke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $719,715 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA058069-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11077748 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who are chronic marijuana users or those who have been exposed to secondhand marijuana smoke.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use marijuana and have no exposure to secondhand marijuana smoke are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of chronic marijuana use and secondhand exposure on cardiovascular health, particularly focusing on how these factors may lead to endothelial dysfunction, which is a key indicator of vascular health. The study aims to clarify whether the adverse effects observed are due to the cannabinoids in marijuana or the smoke itself. By observing both active users and those exposed to secondhand smoke, the research seeks to fill gaps in current understanding and provide insights into the cardiovascular risks associated with marijuana use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help clarify the cardiovascular risks of marijuana use, potentially leading to better public health guidelines and patient education.
How similar studies have gone: While some studies have explored the effects of tobacco smoke on cardiovascular health, this research is novel in its focus on marijuana and its secondhand smoke effects.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Springer, Matthew Lawrence — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Springer, Matthew Lawrence
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.