Daily or near-daily cannabis users at age 24 had significantly elevated suPAR, a biomarker of systemic chronic inflammation, even after controlling for tobacco, BMI, and childhood trauma, while less frequent use showed no association.
Inflammation researchers, mental health clinicians, and young adult cannabis users.
Daily cannabis use was associated with elevated suPAR, a chronic inflammation biomarker linked to brain health
What the researchers found
Among 914 participants from the ALSPAC cohort, daily/near-daily cannabis use at age 24 was strongly associated with elevated suPAR (a chronic inflammation biomarker implicated in neurodegenerative processes). Less frequent cannabis use was not associated with suPAR. No associations were found between cannabis use and traditional inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-alpha, CRP).
Why it matters
suPAR is a biomarker of systemic chronic inflammation linked to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative processes. Finding it elevated specifically in daily cannabis users provides a potential biological mechanism connecting heavy cannabis use to mental health and brain health risks.
The numbers in context
914 participants from ALSPAC; daily/near-daily use associated with elevated suPAR; less frequent use: no association; IL-6, TNF-alpha, CRP: no association with any cannabis use level
How the study worked
Analysis of 914 participants from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), measuring IL-6, TNF-alpha, CRP, and suPAR at age 24 and comparing across daily, less frequent, and no past-year cannabis use, adjusting for sociodemographics, BMI, childhood trauma, and tobacco smoking.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional inflammation measurement at a single time point. Cannot determine if cannabis caused the suPAR elevation or vice versa. Single cohort (ALSPAC). suPAR is a relatively new biomarker without established clinical thresholds.
How to read the evidence
Well-established cohort (ALSPAC) with comprehensive adjustment for confounders, but cross-sectional inflammation measurement at a single age.
When this study was published
Published in 2024.
The bigger picture
This is a novel finding. suPAR has been linked to accelerated aging, organ damage, and mental disorders. If daily cannabis use truly elevates this marker, it could help explain the dose-response relationship between cannabis use frequency and mental health outcomes.
Questions still open
- Does cannabis cessation normalize suPAR levels?
- Could suPAR serve as a clinical biomarker to identify cannabis users at highest health risk?
Common questions
Does cannabis cause chronic inflammation?
Is occasional cannabis use also linked to inflammation?
Read the original research
Cannabis use in youth is associated with chronic inflammation.
Psychological medicine, 54(16), 1-11
Citation
Power, Emmet; Mongan, David; Healy, Colm; Susai, Subash Raj; Föcking, Melanie; Zammit, Stanley; Cannon, Mary; Cotter, David. (2024). Cannabis use in youth is associated with chronic inflammation.. Psychological medicine, 54(16), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291724002848
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