Current marijuana use is cross-sectionally associated with accelerated biological aging among U.S. adults: exploring mediating effect of blood cadmium

Jan 15, 2026The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Current marijuana use is linked to faster biological aging in U.S. adults, possibly influenced by blood cadmium levels

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Abstract

Current marijuana users exhibited significantly accelerated aging compared to never users, with biological age acceleration measured using two validated algorithms.

Marijuana users showed PhenoAge acceleration of β = 0.72 and KD-BioAge acceleration of β = 0.36, indicating a notable increase in biological age.
Subgroup analyses revealed consistent associations, particularly among individuals who use both marijuana and tobacco.
Blood cadmium was identified as a partial mediator of aging acceleration, accounting for 15.6% of the effect on PhenoAge and 8.3% on KD-BioAge.

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BACKGROUND: Global marijuana use has risen markedly in recent decades. Although prior research suggests that marijuana use is associated with epigenetic alterations, its relationship with biological aging remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between marijuana use and accelerated aging and explore the mediating role of metal exposure.

METHODS: Using data from 12,806 U.S. adults (NHANES 2005-2018), biological age (BA) was calculated using two validated algorithms, phenotypic age (PhenoAge) and Klemera-Doubal biological age (KD-BioAge), with aging acceleration defined as the residuals from linear regression of BA on chronological age (CA). Marijuana use status was ascertained via standardized interviews. Analyses included survey-weighted multivariable linear regression, stratified subgroup analyses, joint exposure assessments, and mediation analyses.

RESULTS: Current marijuana users exhibited significantly accelerated aging versus never users: PhenoAge acceleration (β = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.41-1.02, P < 0.001) and KD-BioAge acceleration (β = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.14-0.59, P = 0.002), after full adjustment. Subgroup and joint exposure analyses showed consistent associations, with evidence of additive associations among dual users of marijuana and tobacco. Mediation analyses identified blood cadmium as a partial mediator, explaining 15.6% and 8.3% of aging acceleration for PhenoAge and KD-BioAge, respectively.

DISCUSSION: This study provides robust epidemiological evidence linking marijuana use to accelerated biological aging, with blood cadmium identified as a potential mechanistic link. These findings highlight the public health importance of understanding the long-term physiological correlates of marijuana use.

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Current marijuana use is cross-sectionally associated with accelerated biological aging among U.S. adults: exploring mediating effect of blood cadmium

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