Study Reveals Marijuana May Pose Greater Lung Risks Than Tobacco
A study suggests marijuana smoking may harm lungs more than tobacco, with higher emphysema rates found in cannabis users
Key Points
- 1Marijuana smokers showed higher rates of emphysema than tobacco smokers
- 2CT scans revealed significant lung damage in cannabis users
- 3Study calls for more comprehensive research on marijuana's lung effects
- 475% of marijuana smokers had emphysema compared to 67% of tobacco smokers
Recent research indicates that smoking marijuana could be more detrimental to lung health than smoking tobacco alone. A study conducted by the University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital analyzed chest CT scans from 56 cannabis smokers, 57 non-smokers, and 33 tobacco smokers, revealing higher rates of emphysema and other airway diseases among cannabis users
The CT scans, collected between 2005 and 2020, showed that 75% of marijuana smokers developed emphysema, compared to 5% of non-smokers and 67% of tobacco smokers. Additionally, cannabis users exhibited increased instances of bronchiectasis, bronchial wall thickening, and mucoid impaction, suggesting significant lung damage
Dr. Giselle Revah, a radiologist involved in the study, expressed surprise at the findings, noting the lack of previous research comparing imaging results between tobacco and marijuana smokers. She emphasized the need for further studies, as the current research had limitations, including the fact that most marijuana smokers in the study also used tobacco
The study highlights a critical gap in understanding the long-term effects of marijuana on lung health, especially given its recent legalization in countries like Canada. As marijuana becomes more widely used, researchers stress the importance of conducting larger, more comprehensive studies to confirm these initial findings and better inform public health policies