Long-term marijuana use and blood vessel health
Effects of chronic marijuana use on endothelial function
This project checks whether smoking marijuana or being exposed to secondhand marijuana smoke harms blood vessel function in adults.
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 ID | NIH-11312600 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked about your marijuana use and any secondhand exposure and may give blood samples and undergo noninvasive tests of artery function. The researchers will compare people who regularly smoke marijuana, people who are regularly exposed to secondhand marijuana smoke, and people with little or no exposure. Tests will include measurements of endothelial (blood vessel lining) function and blood biomarkers that reflect vascular health. The goal is to see if repeated exposures lead to lasting changes in how your arteries work.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who regularly smoke marijuana or who have repeated secondhand exposure, plus people with minimal exposure for comparison, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without any marijuana exposure or those with advanced or unstable cardiovascular disease may not directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could clarify whether marijuana smoke damages arteries and help guide personal choices and public health recommendations.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies show both active and secondhand marijuana smoke can impair blood vessel function, but human studies so far have been mixed and this question remains unresolved.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- 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
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 below.