Cardiovascular effects of marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids: the good, the bad, and the ugly

Nat Rev Cardiol. 2018 Mar;15(3):151-166. doi: 10.1038/nrcardio.2017.130. Epub 2017 Sep 14.

Abstract

Dysregulation of the endogenous lipid mediators endocannabinoids and their G-protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1R and CB2R) has been implicated in a variety of cardiovascular pathologies. Activation of CB1R facilitates the development of cardiometabolic disease, whereas activation of CB2R (expressed primarily in immune cells) exerts anti-inflammatory effects. The psychoactive constituent of marijuana, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is an agonist of both CB1R and CB2R, and exerts its psychoactive and adverse cardiovascular effects through the activation of CB1R in the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. The past decade has seen a nearly tenfold increase in the THC content of marijuana as well as the increased availability of highly potent synthetic cannabinoids for recreational use. These changes have been accompanied by the emergence of serious adverse cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, stroke, and cardiac arrest. In this Review, we summarize the role of the endocannabinoid system in cardiovascular disease, and critically discuss the cardiovascular consequences of marijuana and synthetic cannabinoid use. With the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes and/or recreational use in many countries, physicians should be alert to the possibility that the use of marijuana or its potent synthetic analogues might be the underlying cause of severe cardiovascular events and pathologies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists / adverse effects*
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists / chemical synthesis
  • Cannabinoids / adverse effects*
  • Cannabinoids / chemical synthesis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / metabolism
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Cardiovascular System / drug effects*
  • Cardiovascular System / metabolism
  • Cardiovascular System / physiopathology
  • Endocannabinoids / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Marijuana Abuse / complications*
  • Marijuana Abuse / metabolism
  • Marijuana Abuse / physiopathology
  • Marijuana Smoking / adverse effects*
  • Medical Marijuana / adverse effects*
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / metabolism
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists
  • Cannabinoids
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Medical Marijuana
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid