A recent study conducted by researchers in China has shed light on the potential relationship between cannabis use and kidney stones. The study, published in the journal “Frontiers in Pharmacology,” found that male cannabis users were inversely associated with kidney stones.
Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, nephrolithiasis, or urolithiasis, are hard deposits composed of minerals and salt that form in the kidneys and can potentially pass through the urinary tract. While passing a kidney stone can be excruciatingly painful, they typically do not cause permanent damage if identified and treated promptly.
In some cases, passing a kidney stone may require pain medication and increased water intake. However, there are instances where the stone becomes trapped in the urinary tract and necessitates surgical intervention for removal.
Although kidney stones are more likely to develop in males than females, various risk factors contribute to their formation. These risk factors include genetics, dehydration, exercise habits, diet, and digestive diseases.
To investigate the potential link between cannabis use and kidney stones, a team of Chinese researchers analyzed data from over 14,000 subjects aged 20 to 59 obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2009 and 2018. The researchers utilized multivariate logistic regression and multiple sensitivity analyses to examine the association between cannabis use and kidney stones.
According to the findings of the study, marijuana use was inversely associated with kidney stones in males. Additionally, regular marijuana use (less than six times per week) showed a negative relationship with kidney stones among males. However, no significant differences were observed in the overall population or among females.
Due to restricted access to cannabis in most countries, there is limited existing data on the relationship between cannabis use and diseases. However, researchers propose a potential explanation for this association. Previous studies have shown that cannabinoids increase urine output without affecting excretion. This diuretic effect may reduce the time during which crystals remain in the kidney, consequently lowering the risk of kidney stone formation.
Furthermore, cannabidiol (CBD), a major component of cannabis, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Since crystal deposition in the kidney is associated with inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, it is speculated that CBD has natural advantages in attenuating these factors.
In contrast to male cannabis users, the study found no association between marijuana use and kidney stones in females. Researchers hypothesize that hormone levels may play a role in regulating this association. Previous research has suggested that lower urinary saturation of stone-forming crystals may contribute to reduced kidney stone formation in females, potentially due to estrogen’s protective effects. Postmenopausal females were found to have a higher risk of kidney stones.
While further research is needed to investigate the dose and type associations of cannabis with kidney stones, the current findings suggest that regular marijuana use among males may be linked to a lower risk of developing kidney stones. Specifically, marijuana use one to six times per week was inversely associated with kidney stone risk in males.
In conclusion, this study highlights a potential inverse association between cannabis use and kidney stones among male users. However, more research is required to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and confirm these findings.
