Research links cannabis legalization and daytime napping to health risks

A study published in BMJ Open has identified a correlation between the legalization of recreational cannabis in parts of the United States and an increase in hospital admissions for cardiovascular issues. Analyzing over 50 million discharge records from 2012 to 2018, researchers noted rises in atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and heart attacks in regions where legalization occurred. The authors emphasized that the study shows a correlation rather than proving direct causality.

Separately, a long-term study from Johns Hopkins University published in The Journals of Gerontology suggests a link between frequent daytime napping and an increased risk of dementia. Following 995 individuals aged 65 and older from 2013 to 2023, researchers found that those who napped most days or daily had a 48 percent higher risk of dementia compared to those who rarely or never napped. Unintentional daytime sleepiness was also associated with a 39 percent higher risk, while naps lasting 30 minutes or less were linked to a 40 percent higher risk.