The impact of marijuana use on blood pressure in non-hypertensive USA adults: NHANES 2005 – 2012

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Experimental studies conclude that marijuana acts on Cannabinoids receptors CB1/CB2 and have hypotensive effects. Other studies reported no association between marijuana and blood pressure. To date, no study has examined the impact of marijuana on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Purpose To assess the impact of marijuana use on blood pressure in non-hypertensive American adults. Methods The study examined the data of 10,274 participants (males = 49% and female 51%) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2012. We used multiple linear regression analysis to assess the impact of marijuana use on SBP and DBP. Survey procedures were used to adjust for cluster, weight, and strata variables. Results Of the total participants in the study sample, 14.15% were classified as marijuana users and 85.85% were classified as marijuana non-users. Marijuana use has slight increase effect on SBP 2.166 mmHg (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.282–3.050), and DBP −0.471 mmHg (95% CI, −1.278–0.336). Older participants, African Americans, and males show significantly higher SBP and DBP. Conclusions Our study found that marijuana use was associated with slightly higher SBP; no substantial impact was seen on DBP. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term effect of marijuana on blood pressure.