2024-01-20 13:31:17
by Health Editorial Staff
Those who combine the two substances are 12 times more likely to have centrilobular emphysema than non-smokers
Smoking marijuana combined with cigarettes can lead to greater lung damage than consuming either substance alone, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. The authors’ premise is that there is much research identifying the harms of cigarette smoking, on the contrary very little is known about the effects of smoking marijuana and even fewer investigations have been conducted on the combined effects of smoking marijuana and cigarettes.
Effects of smoking marijuana
Marijuana is the most widespread illicit psychoactive substance in the world and its use has increased since the legalization of non-medical marijuana,” said study co-author Jessie Kang, cardiothoracic radiologist and professor at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada. There is currently not much research on the effects of smoking marijuana on the lungs. To determine the consequences of marijuana and cigarette smoking, researchers examined chest CT (computed tomography) images of four groups of people: nonsmokers, cigarette smokers, marijuana smokers, and combined marijuana and cigarette smokers. The marijuana smokers included in the study had used the substance at least four times a month for two years. Patients who ingested marijuana via edibles or oral drops were excluded from the study.
Centrilobular emphysema
Researchers found that people who combine marijuana and cigarettes are 12 times more likely to have centrilobular (or centroacinar) emphysema than nonsmokers. This is a type of emphysema in which the air sacs within the lungs become damaged. This can lead to difficulty breathing and other serious symptoms. The average number of years of marijuana smoking in the participants was lower than in cigarette smokers and in marijuana and cigarette smokers, Kang said. However, smoked marijuana is often unfiltered, so very harmful particles enter the airways and lungs. Marijuana and cigarette smokers are three to four times more likely to have thickening of the airway walls, which can lead to infections, injuries and other damage. The association between marijuana alone or smoking alone with bronchial wall thickening was not equally significant. Similar findings have been observed with centrilobular and paraseptal emphysema.
More studies are needed
“With our study, we demonstrate that there are physical effects of marijuana smoke on the lungs and that cigarette smoke and marijuana smoke can have a combined harmful effect,” concluded Kang, underlining that further research is needed to identify the long-term effects of marijuana. smoking marijuana. Public opinion is often convinced that smoking marijuana is not harmful – the expert clarified -. It is necessary to conduct further research in this area, so that people can make informed decisions about recreational use of the substance.
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January 20, 2024 (changed January 20, 2024 | 12:30)
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