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Schedule A ConsultationAs marijuana use becomes more common and socially accepted, questions about its long-term effects on the male body are gaining attention. One area of concern is gynecomastia, a condition that causes enlarged male breasts. Many men wonder if there’s a link between gynecomastia and weed—and whether marijuana might be contributing to puffy nipples or chest fullness that won’t go away.
This article explores what the research says, why weed is often linked to gynecomastia, and what men need to know about prevention and treatment.
Gynecomastia is the abnormal enlargement of glandular breast tissue in males. It usually results from a hormonal imbalance—specifically, lower testosterone relative to estrogen. It can appear during puberty, adulthood, or even later in life and often causes:
While many assume it’s just chest fat, true gynecomastia involves firm, fibrous tissue that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise.
Several studies and anecdotal reports suggest a potential connection between gynecomastia and weed, but the evidence is not yet definitive. The theory is based on the idea that THC—the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis—may affect hormone levels by:
Animal studies have shown that marijuana can interfere with testosterone synthesis. In humans, however, the link is less clear due to limited research and the influence of multiple variables.
Some early studies from the 1970s and 1980s indicated that marijuana might lower testosterone, but these studies had small sample sizes and inconsistent results. More recent studies suggest that while heavy, long-term cannabis use may influence hormones, occasional or moderate use likely has minimal effect.
Still, many gynecomastia patients report that symptoms began or worsened during periods of frequent marijuana use. For this reason, many surgeons and endocrinologists recommend eliminating cannabis if you’re experiencing breast enlargement.
Gynecomastia and weed: You may be more likely to develop gynecomastia from marijuana use if you also have:
These factors can compound the hormonal impact and increase your risk of tissue growth in the chest.
If gynecomastia is caused by recent marijuana use and the tissue is still soft or tender, stopping cannabis may allow hormone levels to normalize and reduce gland activity. However, if the gland has hardened or persisted longer than 12 months, it’s unlikely to resolve on its own.
In these cases, the only reliable solution is surgical removal of the glandular tissue, often paired with liposuction to contour the surrounding fat.
At our Newport Beach clinic, we treat many patients with a history of marijuana use who now experience puffy nipples, chest fullness, or asymmetry. Surgery involves:
If you’re dealing with chest changes and suspect marijuana could be a factor, we’re here to help. Dr. Joseph Cruise is one of the nation’s leading gynecomastia specialists and has treated thousands of men with natural, long-lasting results.
Schedule a gynecomastia consultation today to learn whether your symptoms are related to cannabis use—and what can be done to correct them for good.
Dr. Joseph Cruise is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. Regarded as one of the top gynecomastia surgeons in the world, Dr. Cruise has gynecomastia-specific content that can be found at lagynecomastia.org. Dr. Cruise has dedicated his career to cosmetic surgery but has also had extensive training in General Surgery, Hand Surgery, and Microvascular Surgery. Dr. Joseph Cruise is also a member of the Rhinoplasty Society as well as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
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