New Delhi: A recent study has found that cannabis use may lead to significant cellular damage, potentially increasing cancer risk and accelerating genetic aging, with the effects passing to future generations. Published in the journal Addiction Biology, the research labels cannabis as “genotoxic,” meaning it harms a cell’s genetic structure. According to researchers from the University of Western Australia, this cellular damage could result in DNA mutations, accelerated aging, and cancer development.
The research highlights the concerning possibility that cannabis-induced genetic damage can be inherited, affecting offspring through compromised egg and sperm cells. Lead researcher Dr. Stuart Reece emphasized that the study links cannabis use with genotoxicity that could span multiple generations. "The genetic damage from cannabis use has far-reaching consequences,” Reece stated, noting the importance of acknowledging this transgenerational impact.
The study underscores a long-established understanding that cannabis negatively impacts cellular energy by disrupting mitochondria, the structures responsible for energy production in cells. This mitochondrial dysfunction, as recent cancer research suggests, can lead to chromosomal damage, further accelerating cancer risk, aging, and birth defects. The researchers argued that mitochondrial damage due to cannabis use has been known for decades but has not been fully appreciated for its long-term implications on health.
Additionally, prior studies in both humans and animals have shown that prenatal exposure to cannabis correlates with developmental issues in children, such as autism and cognitive challenges. This latest study emphasizes that cannabinoid-induced genotoxicity has been “overlooked” for too long, with evidence indicating its wide-reaching influence through aging of reproductive cells and zygotes, as well as its effects on fetal and adult organisms.
The findings present "clear and robust evidence" supporting the transgenerational transmission of genotoxic effects, according to the researchers. These implications extend beyond the individual, potentially affecting population health in broader ways than previously recognized.
Dr. Reece urged policymakers to reevaluate the framing of cannabis legalization, considering not only the immediate personal choice of users but also the potential impact on future generations. He recommended a shift in discourse from an individual rights perspective to a more intergenerational public health context.
In sum, the study adds a new dimension to cannabis-related health risks, suggesting that its use may contribute to genetic damage that could persist across generations, posing broader implications for public health policies.