Studying the Effects of Cannabis on Vasculature

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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.

Official Title
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Elucidating the Effects of Cannabis on Cardiovascular System

Conditions
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Cardiovascular Diseases, Inflammation, Atherosclerosis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Chronic Cannabis use


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 19 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Chronic Cannabis Cohort<br>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. | Other: Chronic Cannabis use<br>* The investigators will test levels of inflammation and vascular dysfunction in participants who chronically use cannabis.<br>|
| Control Cohort<br>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. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Inflammation | The investigators will measure the concentration of inflammatory cytokines using an Olink for chronic cannabis users and the control group. | Baseline measurement. | 
| Endothelial function | The investigators will measure the reactive hyperaemia index (RHI) using an EndPAT device for both groups. | Baseline measurement. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cholesterol Level | The investigators will measure lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, ratio) for both groups. | Baseline measurement. | 
| BMI | The investigators will measure body-mass index or both groups. | Baseline measurement. | 
| Blood pressure | The investigators will measure baseline blood pressure for both groups. | Baseline measurement. |