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Nature 434, 708-709 (7 April 2005) | doi:10.1038/434708a; Published online 6 April 2005

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Pharmacology:  Marijuana and your heart

Michael D. Roth1

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Marijuana smoke can have harmful effects on the heart. But one of its active components may ease inflammation and slow the progression of coronary artery disease.

The discovery of cell-surface receptors that bind to the major active component of marijuana, Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has led to an explosion of research into the biological properties of marijuana and cannabinoids1. THC binds with equal affinity to two different receptors — CB1 and CB2.

  1. Michael D. Roth is in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, CHS 37-131, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1690, USA.
    e-mail: Email: mroth@mednet.ucla.edu

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Nature Letters to Editor (07 Apr 2005)