Issue 68 | July 18, 2025
Happy Friday,
In the midst of America’s push for widespread cannabis legalization, the drug might face an uncertain future. New research shows that cannabis use is significantly linked to increased risk of heart attack and stroke. What’s to blame? Keep reading as we dive deeper.
The hidden heart risk of cannabis
The patterns of Alzheimer’s
The Phillies sponsor a service dog
👁️🗨️SPOTLIGHT
The hidden heart risk of cannabis
Is the popular practice going up in smoke?
🪴 Marijuana use increases the risk of heart attack (29%) and dying from heart disease, according to a new long-term study. 💨 It’s not just about smoke either: edibles and vapes are dangerous too.
One of the major problems is that today’s product isn’t the same as it was 50 years ago.
📈 By 2015, the concentration of THC (the psychoactive component of cannabis) in marijuana flowers soared 212% higher than in 1995, according to a 2018 paper.
They’re stronger than ever, and it’s “uncharted territory,” says Ryan Sultan, a psychiatrist and researcher at Columbia University, in New Scientist.
With new products comes more potency. ⚗️ Vapes, for instance, can have THC levels of 90%!
♥️ But why is the heart at risk? THC stimulates the sympathetic nervous system—it makes your heart race, spikes blood pressure, and strains blood vessels, risk factors for cardiovascular events.
There’s another catch. While cannabis can benefit anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain, few clinical trials have studied it’s use for medical purposes, such as for pain relief, with THC concentrations above 10%.
Consider this…
Anyone who is over the age of 50 or has a history of high blood pressure, stroke or cardiovascular disease is a greater risk of complications, so talk with your doctor first.
CBD (a non-psychoactive compound in marijuana that promotes relaxation) also does not seem to carry the same risk. In fact, it can lower blood pressure and cardiovascular risk.
📊 Poll
WELLNESS WATCH
Alzheimer’s progresses in four distinct early-warning patterns
Following the ‘breadcrumbs’ of dementia development. 🍞
🖼️ Health is individual, but patterns help to see the big picture. In a new study published in The Lancet, researchers from University of California - Los Angeles identified four pathways that lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
The key: Dementia is not just caused by one thing. It can be the result of a cascade of symptoms…’breadcrumbs’ if you will. Knowing how early health conditions can turn into Alzheimer’s could lead to prevention earlier on.
The four pathways
Conditions that could precede Alzheimer’s.
😌 Mental health: Psychiatric conditions (i.e., depression)
🧠 Encephalopathy: Brain disorder (i.e., head trauma); leads to the most aggressive form of the disease
↘️ Mild cognitive impairment: Problems with memory and thinking
🫀 Vascular disease: Having a cardiovascular condition
But these pathways are not a guarantee that an individual will receive a future Alzheimer’s diagnosis!
Why this matters: Looking at the trajectory of a disease can improve risk assessment, and lead to faster diagnosis and targeted interventions. Treating a condition early enough might even help prevent Alzheimer’s.
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TOP STORY
In women’s health…
♀️ The future of birth control might be hormone-free, and investors are betting on it. Stocks for Daré Bioscience, Inc soared 250% after the company release positive results from a clinical trial for Ovaprene—a monthly vaginal ring that uses non-hormonal agents and a fine-mesh barrier to prevent sperm from entering the cervix. Non-hormonal birth control could mean pregnancy prevention with fewer endocrine risks. The product has not hit the shelves yet, but we’ll be waiting for more results.
SHORT READS
🫁 Tragic HBOT accident: A physical therapist tragically died in an hyperbaric oxygen chamber after it caught fire. What investigators know so far. Read more.
🥦 The non-negotiables: A dietitian says you need to include these 10 foods in your diet for optimal health.
⚽ The Danish happiness secret: People living in one of the happiest countries in the world do this one thing for a life of happiness.
Longevity isn’t guesswork. It’s data
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We all want to live longer—but more importantly, we want to feel good while we do it. Wild Health blends genomics, advanced diagnostics, and concierge care to build your personalized plan for better energy, resilience, and long-term health. This isn’t more to-dos. It’s a smarter way to care for yourself.
LONG-LEVITY
🐾 The Philadelphia Phillies have a furry new teammate training to be a service dog
🥹 The Philadelphia Phillies baseball team is sponsoring a 10-week-old yellow laborador puppy training to become a service dog for a veteran. Tugger, named after the Marine Corp veteran-turned-World Series pitcher Tug McGraw, is the second service dog they’ve sponsored.
Service dogs can provide immense mental and emotional support to veterans, who are often faced with traumas and physical and mental health conditions. 😨 McGraw and his fellow four-legged friends can reduce anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms and improve veteran quality of life.
In the words barks of Tug McGraw, "Go Phils!" ⚾
Question…Are vitamins and supplements even worth your money?
Expert Dr. Tod Cooperman, founder of ConsumerLab.com, lives for these kinds of questions. He will set the record straight in an exclusive live Q&A on Wednesday, July 23 at 12pm ET. Register here for free.
✏️ Poll response
❓ We asked, your bones cracked: Where do you get the most stiff?
The clear winner was low back pain, taking 37% of the vote! Knee stiffness took second, followed by hip pain.
80% of adults will experience back pain during their life, according to the NIH.
Hundreds of things could be the root cause, but relief is more direct — it starts with building strength to create more support and stability.
WISDOM FOR LIFE
Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value
-Albert Einstein
Until next time,
- Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare professional before starting any exercise, wellness, or health program. Nothing in our content, products or services should be considered, or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Livelong is a media company and not a medical provider. We try to give the most accurate possible, but sometimes information is subject to change.
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