Arrhythmias & electrophysiology

Acute Effects of Cannabis Inhalation on Cardiac Ectopy, Physical Activity, Sleep, and Glucose

J Am Coll CardiolPublished Randomised crossover trial

Primary result · Ectopic beatsResult — go to the resultRelative risk 0.91 95% CI 0.85–0.98

Authors' conclusion

In a pragmatic crossover design including habitual cannabis users, randomization to inhaled cannabis was associated with less cardiac ectopy, driven by fewer premature atrial contractions.

Study context

Population
Adults who regularly smoked or vaped cannabis, without a history of cardiac arrhythmias713 cannabis days · 616 abstinence days
Participants
108 adults
Comparison
Inhaled cannabis vs abstinence
Primary endpoint
Daily cardiac ectopy (daily premature atrial and premature ventricular contractions)
Follow-up
14 days
Methodological detailsprospective, pragmatic, Randomisation adherence imperfect but generally supportive of assignment adherence
  • Prospective
  • Pragmatic
  • Randomisation adherence imperfect but generally supportive of assignment adherence

Primary result

Ectopic beats

Relative risk

0.91

95% CI 0.85–0.98

P = 0.02

Inhaled cannabis vs Abstinence
RR 0.91 (95% CI 0.85–0.98); P = 0.02

As reported in the abstract

Further findings

Daily premature atrial contractions

Decreased by 10% with inhaled cannabis: RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.82-0.97
P = 0.012

Premature ventricular contractions

No significant change

Ectopic beats per cannabis inhalation

2% reduction per inhalation: RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99
P = 0.043

Step counts, sleep duration, glucose levels

No significant differences

Original publication

Acute Effects of Cannabis Inhalation on Cardiac Ectopy, Physical Activity, Sleep, and Glucose. J Am Coll Cardiol. Published 30 July 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2026.07.014

Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it

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