Cannabis Dependence and Erectile Dysfunction

The short-term analysis included 29,442 patients with cannabis dependence matched to 29,442 patients without dependence. Cannabis dependence was significantly associated with an approximately 4-fold higher risk for ED and PDE5i prescription at 3 months to 1 year from diagnosis among all men and those aged 40 years and older and an approximately 3-fold higher risk for men aged 18-39 years, Dr Asanad’s team reported in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. The longer-term analysis included 17,211 men with cannabis dependence matched to 17,211 men without dependence. Cannabis dependence was significantly associated with an approximately 1.2-fold increased risk for ED among all adult men and those aged 40 years and older, the investigators reported. Cannabis Dependence Linked With Erectile Dysfunction, Testosterone Deficiencyhttps://www.renalandurologynews.com/news/erectile-dysfunction-testosterone-cannabis-dependence

Yikes.

Cannabis and Impaired Brain Development

The adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to cannabis, especially today’s higher-potency products, which put teens at risk for impaired brain development; mental health issues, including psychosis; and cannabis use disorder (CUD).  That was the message delivered by Yasmin Hurd, PhD, director of the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai in New York, during a May 6 press briefing at the American Psychiatric Association (APA) 2024 annual meeting

“We’re actually in historic times in that we now have highly concentrated, highly potent cannabis products that are administered in various routes,” Hurd told reporters. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations in cannabis products have increased over the years, from around 2%-4% to 15%-24% now, Hurd noted. High-Potency Cannabis Tied to Impaired Brain Development, Psychosis, CUD – Medscape – May 13, 2024. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/high-potency-cannabis-tied-impaired-brain-development-2024a1000935

Earlier posts on this topic:

Marijuana is Too Strong (THC turbocharged)

Cannabis Use and Psychosis Risk

Cannabis Use and Psychosis Risk (Aussie Version)

Reefer Madness