A prominent cardiothoracic surgeon has opened up about the potential harms of everyday habits and substances in a candid video discussion with his son. Dr. Jeremy London, who shares health insights on TikTok, was asked to rate various items on a scale of one to ten for how bad they are for the body. When it came to regular marijuana smoking, he gave it a serious eight out of ten. He pointed out that many people assume natural things are harmless, but evidence suggests otherwise.
Dr. London explained that recent research links chronic marijuana use to higher chances of heart-related problems. “The latest data show an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases with chronic use of marijuana,” he stated. He stressed the common myth around its safety simply because it comes from a plant. “The problem is that people think: it’s natural, so it must be safe. And that’s not the case.”
Beyond heart concerns, regular marijuana smoking carries other risks that experts have highlighted. According to the Cleveland Clinic, although long-term effects continue to be studied, early adulthood use can impact brain areas like attention, memory, and learning. Smoking it also harms the lungs, raising bronchitis odds and affecting small blood vessels, as reported by health outlets. Some research even connects it to greater risks of stroke, heart disease, vascular issues, and in certain cases, schizophrenia.
In the same video, Dr. London rated alcohol even higher at ten out of ten. “Alcohol is toxic to every cell in the body. There is no amount of alcohol that is truly safe,” he warned. Organizations like Cancer Research UK note that alcohol turns into acetaldehyde, a chemical that damages cells and hinders repair. This process ties alcohol to seven cancers, including breast, colorectal, mouth, throat types, and liver cancer.
Dr. London also touched on processed meats and plastic cutting boards, assigning both a five out of ten. For processed meats, the rating reflects known links to health concerns over time. With plastic boards, he highlighted microplastic ingestion from regular use. “With regular use of plastic boards over a year, you can ingest up to almost 50 grams of microplastics into your body – which is like ten credit cards,” he noted.
Emerging data suggest these tiny particles might influence fertility, hormone balance, and possibly heart health. Dr. London recommended switching to wooden cutting boards as a better option. His straightforward ratings aim to cut through misconceptions about common exposures. The video underscores how even widely accepted habits can pose hidden threats.
Marijuana, derived from the cannabis plant, contains compounds like THC that produce psychoactive effects. Smoking remains the most common method, delivering these substances quickly but also introducing harmful tar and irritants similar to tobacco smoke. Cardiovascular effects often involve temporary spikes in heart rate and blood pressure, which can strain the system especially during use. Over years, chronic smokers may face buildup in airways and reduced lung function.
Researchers continue exploring how cannabis interacts with mental health pathways. Vulnerable individuals might experience heightened anxiety or psychotic symptoms from heavy intake. While some use it medicinally for pain or nausea, recreational smoking carries distinct respiratory and vascular drawbacks. Public health bodies track these patterns as legalization expands in various regions.
What are your views on balancing potential benefits and risks of marijuana use? Share your thoughts in the comments.
