If you’re looking to reduce your chances of developing lung disease, it may be wise to avoid inhaling cannabis, according to experts at the University of California, San Francisco. A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine has found that daily marijuana inhalation is associated with a 44% increased risk of developing asthma. Additionally, it raises the likelihood of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by 27%.
The risk of COPD, which encompasses conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, could be underestimated. This is because the disease often takes decades to manifest, and the researchers lacked detailed information on the duration of cannabis use among study participants.
Understanding the Study’s Parameters
Researchers defined “inhaling” as smoking, vaping, and “dabbing,” which involves inhaling vapors from concentrated marijuana. The study revealed an association between these methods of cannabis use and increased lung risks, even among individuals who have never smoked cigarettes. For non-cigarette smokers, daily marijuana inhalation was linked to a 51% higher likelihood of developing asthma, although the association with COPD was not statistically significant.
This study is the largest to date examining the relationship between cannabis inhalation and respiratory health risks in non-cigarette smokers. It involved 380,000 adult participants, nearly 222,000 of whom had never smoked tobacco. The data was sourced from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a national survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Expert Insights and Public Perception
Experts suggest that the widespread legalization of marijuana across much of the United States and the perception of it being healthier than tobacco have led to an underestimation of its risks. “The message about smoking tobacco being bad for you has gotten out there, but for cannabis, it’s much less clear,” stated Alison Rustagi, MD, PhD, assistant professor at UCSF and the study’s first author.
Rustagi emphasized the importance of awareness regarding cannabis use and its potential impact on lung health. “If people are looking to reduce their likelihood of developing a chronic lung disease, they should not start using cannabis,” she advised. “And if they already smoke cannabis, they should do it less often.”
Broader Implications and Future Directions
The findings of this study hold significant implications for public health messaging and policy-making. As cannabis becomes more accessible, understanding its long-term health effects becomes increasingly crucial. The study’s authors suggest that further research is needed to explore the full scope of cannabis-related respiratory risks, particularly as the landscape of marijuana use continues to evolve.
The research was supported by several funding bodies, including the Simon Memorial Fund, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the National Institute on Aging. The study’s additional authors from UCSF include Abra M. Jeffers, PhD, F. Julian Graham, Beth E. Cohen, MD, MAS, Amy L. Byers, PhD, MPH, Stanton Glantz, PhD, and Salomeh Keyhani, MD.
As the conversation around cannabis use and its health implications continues, this study serves as a critical reminder of the need for informed decision-making and comprehensive research. The findings underscore the importance of considering potential risks associated with cannabis inhalation, particularly for those seeking to safeguard their respiratory health.
