Cannabis use increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (the psychoactive substance of cannabis) binds the CB1 receptors in blood vessels causing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in the development of atherosclerotic plaques and cardiovascular disease. This has been showed in plasma concentrations of patients smoking cannabis, cell lines and mice models. Genistein, a component of soybean, acts as a CB1-receptor antagonist and reduces and partially reverses the pro-inflammatory effects of THC, reducing atherosclerotic plaques in both cell lines and mice models. Genistein, however, does not cross the blood-brain barrier and has no influence on the neurobehavioral effects of THC.
