- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: A recent study highlights the potential cancer risks linked to cannabis consumption, revealing that it can harm cellular DNA and heighten the likelihood of developing aggressive tumors. The research, published in the journal Addiction Biology, identifies cannabis as a “genotoxic” substance, meaning it can damage genetic material, leading to DNA mutations, accelerated aging, and an increased cancer risk.
Significantly, the study finds that this genetic damage can be inherited, affecting future generations through compromised eggs and sperm. Researchers from the University of Western Australia emphasize that the impact of cannabis use can extend trans generationally.
The study also connects the established understanding that cannabis impairs mitochondrial function—essential for cellular energy production—with recent findings showing that mitochondrial dysfunction can result in chromosomal damage, further contributing to higher rates of cancer, accelerated aging, and birth defects.
Dr. Stuart Reece from the university indicates that the relationship between cannabis use and genetic damage has profound implications, underscoring the potential for inherited genetic harm from cannabis exposure.
While the association between cannabis and issues like micronuclear development and mitochondrial impairment has been recognized for some time, researchers argue that the detrimental effects of cannabinoids on genetic integrity have been largely neglected.
The findings point to the pervasive nature of this genotoxicity, potentially impacting the rapid aging of reproductive cells and affecting the health of embryos and adults alike, with substantial evidence supporting the transgenerational effects.
Given these insights, Reece advocates for policymakers to shift the conversation around cannabis legalization from a personal choice perspective to one that accounts for its potential implications for subsequent generations.
