DNA Methylation Profiles of Long-Term Cannabis Users in Midlife - An Evaluation of Published Markers

Sep 29, 2026

Long-term cannabis use is associated with multiple health problems, including respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease risk, cognitive decline, and mental illness. Epigenetic responses may contribute to these outcomes. This study evaluates DNA-methylation profiles in midlife among long-term cannabis users by re-assessing 246 previously reported cannabis-associated methylation markers using data from the Dunedin Study (n=787).

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Study Aim

Methods

Results

Interpretation

574 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Long-term cannabis use has been linked to a number of health problems, including respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, cognitive decline, and mental illness. Epigenetic responses to cannabis use could underlie cannabis-related health problems. We examined the DNA-methylation profiles of long-term cannabis users in midlife, re-evaluating a set of 246 previously published cannabis-associated methylation markers. Data were from the Dunedin Study, a five-decade longitudinal study of a birth cohort (analytic n=787). Peripheral whole blood was drawn when the cohort was age 45, and DNA methylation was assayed using the EPIC 850K BeadChip. Analyses compared long-term cannabis users with non-users and, for a benchmark comparison, with long-term tobacco users. Results showed that long-term cannabis use was associated with sixteen of the previously published 246 cannabis-related methylation markers. All cannabis-related methylation markers were also associated with long-term tobacco use. Nonetheless, after adjusting for long-term tobacco use and other covariates, including childhood SES, family history of substance dependence, and long-term alcohol use, long-term cannabis use was robustly associated with hypomethylation of nine markers: cg05575921, cg21566642, cg03636183, cg21161138, cg01940273, cg17739917, cg05086879, cg02978227, cg23079012. Six of the nine cannabis-related markers were associated with gene expression levels, suggesting meaningful biological associations. Cannabis quitters showed less extreme DNA hypomethylation than long-term cannabis users. Long-term cannabis use could affect the epigenome similarly to tobacco use, possibly though smoke inhalation. Cannabis cessation, like tobacco cessation, may reverse altered DNA methylation. Abstract citation ID: igaf122.1968 DNA METHYLATION PROFILES OF LONG-TERM CANNABIS USERS IN MIDLIFE: AN EVALUATION OF PUBLISHED MARKERS Madeline Meier, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States

FAQs

What was the study’s main objective?

To examine DNA-methylation profiles of long-term cannabis users in midlife and re-evaluate previously published cannabis-associated methylation markers.

Which dataset and assay were used to measure DNA methylation?

Data came from the Dunedin Study, with DNA methylation measured from peripheral whole blood at age 45 using the EPIC 850K BeadChip.

What did the results show about cannabis-associated methylation markers?

Long-term cannabis use was associated with sixteen of the 246 previously published cannabis-related markers, and after adjustment it robustly related to hypomethylation of nine specific markers.

Sep 29, 2026

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