There have been many studies over the years concerning the effects of tobacco smoke on lung function. Through these studies it has become common knowledge that tobacco smoke impairs lung function and can cause lung cancer and emphysema.
Many people have naturally assumed that marijuana smoke causes similar problems to the health and functioning of the lungs, but until recently hard data concerning the effects of marijuana smoke on the lungs has been scarce.
Recent Studies of Marijuana’s Effects on the Lungs
Recent studies of the effects of marijuana smoke on the health and functioning of the lungs have yielded surprising results. Studies conducted by Harvard University, UCSF, The University of Alabama at Birmingham and the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA) have reached the following conclusions:
- Marijuana does not cause emphysema
- Marijuana does not cause lung cancer and in fact may help to prevent it
- Researchers at Harvard University found that THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) can cut tumor growth by 50% and can slow the spread of lung cancer
Researchers point out that these findings may be explained by the different habits of tobacco versus marijuana smokers. The average tobacco smoker smokes 10-20 cigarettes a day and therefore will usually inhale much more smoke over time than a marijuana smoker who typically uses the drug on a more occasional basis.
The findings may also be explained on a molecular/cellular level, as tobacco smoke may have a greater ability than marijuana smoke to bind to lung tissue. Researchers suspect that chronic use of marijuana may cause negative effects similar to those of a regular tobacco user, and these recent studies do not mean that using marijuana is beneficial or harmless for the average person. Physical effects aside, marijuana can lead to psychological addictions that disrupt daily life and lead to lasting negative changes in relationships, behavior and motivation.