Cannabis chemical taken to heart
Author: London Daily Telegraph (UK) Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU), 04-07-05


The active ingredient of cannabis can prevent blood vessels from becoming blocked by atherosclerosis, the inflammation that is the primary cause of heart disease and stroke.

The disease is halted when mice are given low doses of the substance, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, according to a study published today in the journal Nature by Francois Mach and colleagues at the Geneva University Hospital.

Because atherosclerosis is rare in younger people who tend to smoke cannabis, there is no evidence of this protective effect in earlier studies, Mach said.

"The findings are striking, but they should not be taken to mean that smoking marijuana is beneficial to the heart," said Michael Roth of the University of California, adding no similar studies have been performed in humans.

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