Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/4Csxcu3sjuY   Those who smoke marijuana more than once of month are more likely to suffer a heart attack and frequent users are more likely than non-users to have their first heart attack before the age of 50.  Stanford University cardiologists now report these sobering facts following their analysis of half-million persons with clinical data and blood samples in the UK Biobank.   Their study revealed that THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component of cannabis, binds to CB1 receptors in blood vessel linings and creates inflammatory damage of the sort associated with atherosclerosis.  These damaged blood vessels nourishing the heart and brain block leading to heart attacks and strokes.   The researchers used AI techniques to search for molecules capable of blocking CB1 receptors and found one called genistein.  Using a mouse model, they showed that genistein blocked THC-induced vessel damage while failing to interfere with THC’s beneficial, pain-moderating properties.  Cli