A recent study suggests cannabis users may be more susceptible to serious complications from COVID-19. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis analysed health data from over 72,000 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at BJC HealthCare facilities in Missouri and Illinois during the first two years of the pandemic.
Cannabis Users Show Increased Risk of Hospitalisation and ICU Admission
The study found that individuals who reported cannabis use in the preceding year were significantly more likely to require hospitalisation and intensive care admission compared to those with no history of cannabis use. This increased risk was comparable to that observed in tobacco smokers.
“We found that people who reported using any form of cannabis at least once in the year before developing COVID-19 were significantly more likely to need hospitalisation and intensive care than were people with no such history,” said Dr. Li-Shiun Chen, senior author of the study. “[These results] highlight the need for further research on the effect of substance use on COVID-19 outcomes.”
The study adjusted for various factors including demographics, underlying medical conditions, vaccination status, date of diagnosis, and tobacco use. Even after accounting for these variables, cannabis users exhibited an 80% higher likelihood of hospitalisation and a 27% increase in ICU admission compared to non-users.
Findings Contradict Previous Research, Call for Further Investigation
These findings contradict earlier research suggesting potential benefits of cannabis in fighting viral infections. Dr. Chen emphasises the limitations of previous studies, often conducted on cells or animals. “The advantage of our study is that it is in people and uses real-world health-care data,” he said.
Mechanism Unclear, Different Consumption Methods Raise Questions
The exact mechanism by which cannabis use might worsen COVID-19 outcomes remains unclear. The researchers propose two possible explanations. Inhaling cannabis smoke, similar to tobacco smoke, could damage lung tissue, increasing vulnerability to infection. Alternatively, cannabis might suppress the immune system, hindering the body’s ability to combat the virus regardless of consumption method.
“We just don’t know whether edibles are safer,” acknowledges Dr. Nicholas Griffith, the study’s lead author. “The study was designed to establish a link, but not to explain why. More research is needed to understand the specific risks associated with different cannabis use patterns.”
This study highlights the importance of considering cannabis use as a potential risk factor for severe COVID-19. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and determine the relative risks associated with various consumption methods.
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