Heena Sharma Blog

Exposure to cannabis can alter the genetic profile of sperms in men, and possibly affect the children too, a recent study suggests. As legal access to marijuana continues to expand across the U.S., more scientists are studying the effects of its active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), in teens, adults and pregnant women.    Experiments in rats and a study with 24 men found that THC appears to target genes in two major cellular pathways and alters DNA methylation , a process essential for normal development. "What we have found is that the effects of cannabis use on males and their reproductive health are not completely null, in that there's something about cannabis use that affects the genetic profile in sperm," said Scott Kollins, senior author of the study. The study defined regular users as those who smoked marijuana at least weekly for the previous six months. Their sperm was compared to those who had not used marijuana in the past six month

It is well known that second hand smoke from cigarettes is a risk to anyone who suffers from asthma . But a new research showed that it's possible for both children and adults with uncontrolled asthma to find their symptoms worsening due to cannabis allergy and exposure to marijuana smoke . A new research, conducted at the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, analysed the livelihood of people smoking marijuana and how it affects the health of people around them. "A 6-year-old boy suffering from severe asthma had family members who frequently smoked marijuana in the house," said Bryce Hoffman, lead author of the study. "Even though family members didn't smoke marijuana in the same room as the child, he was exposed to traces of smoke and plant material. It was not clear why his asthma was so severe and not responding to aggressive asthma therapies until we determined he was allergic to cannabis. After the cannabis was removed from the