Does Smoking Weed Cause Lung Cancer?

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Looking at the Links Between Cannabis Smoke and Carcinogens

You might have started smoking marijuana thinking that marijuana smoking would pose a lower lung cancer risk than tobacco smoke. After cannabis use for a while, you’ve developed a chronic cough and other respiratory symptoms.

Now you are reconsidering the potential health problems, and asking yourself this important question: Does smoking weed cause lung cancer?

Catalina Behavioral Health’s professionals understand the similarities and differences between marijuana and tobacco smoke. Both can lead to a higher risk of lung cancer, COPD, asthma, or respiratory infections.

The cancer-causing risks of marijuana smoking still need more research. Still, it’s become clear that smoking can lead to lung problems of various kinds.

Please continue to read to learn more about marijuana smokers and the risk of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. Catalina Behavioral Health also offers a full range of programs to help treat cannabis use disorders and ease the path to quitting marijuana successfully.

Does Smoking Marijuana Increase Lung Cancer Risk?

The connection between marijuana use and lung cancer is the subject of ongoing research in the United States. However, European data has concluded that smoking cannabis can, indeed, lead to an increased risk of lung cancer.

How do they collect data on the cancer-causing chemicals in marijuana? Researchers often evaluate risk using “two machine smoking conditions,” which simulate different smoking intensities. This method measures the levels of carcinogens inhaled.

As you’ll see in the studies below, reveals how deeper inhalation in cannabis users can significantly increase exposure to harmful substances. Let’s review some of the key connections between lung health and cannabis smoking:

Long-term Marijuana Smokers Have the Highest Risk of Lung Cancer

Case-control studies out of New Zealand and published in the European Respiratory Journal found that heavy smokers of cannabis for over 10 years had a higher risk than the general population for developing lung cancer. That finding was especially true in those who inhaled deeply and held the smoke inside their lungs before exhaling it.

The risk of lung cancer rose by 8% each year the study participants (who were middle-aged adults) engaged in heavy marijuana use.

Cannabis Can Cause DNA Damage That Leads to Lung Cancer

An EU study found that cannabis smoke contains carcinogens benzopyrene and benzanthracene. These are well-documented as causing DNA damage. DNA damage places people at a greater risk for developing lung cancer, especially long-term smokers.

The study also noted the concern for decreased lung health resulting from marijuana smoke:

“The smoking of three to four cannabis cigarettes a day is associated with the same degree of damage to bronchial mucus membranes as 20 or more tobacco cigarettes a day.” CORDIS – EU Research Results

Combined Effects of Marijuana + Tobacco Smoke

Both marijuana and tobacco smoke contain carcinogens, specifically polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that can damage lung tissue. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains that cannabis with tobacco cigarette smoke produced a higher exposure to toxins when used together.

NIDA also notes that they continue to research the impacts of cannabis use to learn more about both its negative health impacts and possible therapeutic uses.

For instance, some current research focuses on how smoking medical cannabis may help people with HIV infection avoid unintentional weight loss. Medical marijuana, especially when it’s high in THC, is a proven appetite stimulant that may help these patients fight disease through better nutrition.

American Lung Association Discusses Harms to Marijuana Smokers

The American Lung Association publicly opposes smoking or vaping marijuana (or e-cigarette use), as it has been proven to decrease lung health.

Their policy statement also supports a smoke-free environment for all, including the right to be free of marijuana smoke and tobacco use. They also support ongoing research to understand better the health effects of smoking as well as identify any possible benefits of medical marijuana use.

Here are some of the ALA’s key points about smoking marijuana and the possible health effects of smoking marijuana:

Harmful Toxins in Cannabis Smoke

The ALA warns that cannabis smokers inhale some of the same toxins and cancer-causing substances as cigarette smokers. The toxins include ammonia, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide, leading to lung irritation, phlegm production, and damage to the lung tissue.

Respiratory Symptoms and Inhaled Marijuana

ALA also points out that those who smoke marijuana have an elevated risk of other respiratory symptoms besides lung cancer than their non-smoker counterparts.

When young adults start smoking marijuana and continue, they are likelier to develop:

• Chronic bronchitis
• Mucus buildup
• Acute bronchospasm and couging
• Wheezing and asthma
• Lung infections
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Weakened immune systems

Smoking marijuana exposes smokers to chemicals that cause lung cancer and decrease lung function. Of course, among the benefits of quitting marijuana consumption is improved health, both respiratory and otherwise.

Secondhand Smoke and Sidestream Marijuana Smoke

It’s not only smokers that can have adverse effects from inhaling smoke. The possible harm to non-smokers is also a very serious concern.

Another American Lung Association concern is the impact of secondhand smoke and sidestream smoke. As with tobacco smokers, both nonsmokers and smokers are exposed to the chemicals. The long-term effects of secondhand marijuana use are unclear, and more research is underway.

Mainstream and sidestream marijuana smoke sound the same, but they are a little bit different, and both may be harmful. Sidestream refers to smoke that comes directly out of the lit end of a tobacco smoking apparatus (pipe, blunt, joint, etc). It may have higher concentrations of chemicals, damaging the immune system.

That’s because the chemicals have not been filtered by the lungs. On the other hand, mainstream smoke has been inhaled and exhaled, already filtered by the lungs of the person smoking cannabis.

Do You Have a Cannabis Use Disorder?

Are you searching for information on lung cancer and smoking marijuana as a casual smoker, or do you think you might have a marijuana use disorder?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual specifies a set of indicators to reach this diagnosis. For a more informal reflection on your relationship with marijuana, you can take our Marijuana Addiction Quiz here.

This quick quiz will give you greater insight into your reasons for smoking marijuana and whether you are ready to stop.

Julio Developed Lung Infections After Using Cannabis

‘Julio’ was a collegiate track star and the picture of perfect health. After a painful sprain, while running in a race, other young adults at his university encouraged him to try marijuana while the injury healed. Besides dulling the pain, Julio liked the way he felt after smoking cannabis.

He was incredibly competitive, both on the track field and in his studies. Marijuana use made him feel more relaxed, so he continued using it even after his sprained ankle healed. It was a legal substance in Arizona, so he thought it could not hurt.

Before too long, smoking weed became more than a way to chill out and relax. He started using marijuana both from legal sources and some sketchy ones to save a few dollars. His dependence on the chemicals increased and he smoked more by the week.

Months after the ankle sprain had healed and he’d first tried to smoke marijuana, Julio started seeing a decrease in his performance on the track. He had a terrible cough that the team doctor said was chronic bronchitis. His lung function had decreased, and he found it more challenging to complete workouts or races. He was winded even after short workouts.

Getting Help to Quit Using Cannabis with the Support of a Loved Ones

His coach grew more concerned and had a serious conversation with Julio about getting help. If Julio couldn’t continue to perform up to standards, he was at risk of losing his scholarship. He knew his parents had worked too hard and sacrificed everything to ensure Julio had trained with the best coaches to give him this opportunity.

Julio’s parents had good group employer-based health insurance. They helped Julio learn that Catalina was an in-network BCBS rehab center, and it was close to the family’s home in Tucson. Julio spent the summer break getting help from Catalina’s outpatient treatment program.

He had a sub-acute detox to get rid of all the toxins and started working with a licensed counselor to receive guidance on better ways to relax than using marijuana.

As an athlete, Julio responded to this new kind of “coaching” with flying colors and is now in recovery. Back at school, Julio is completing his degree and plans to be a physical therapist. He plans to stay sober and is back to winning races.

Contact Catalina if You Want Help to Stop Smoking Cannabis

If you are smoking marijuana, or worse – if you smoke tobacco plus marijuana – and are ready to stop, the team at Catalina Behavioral Health is ready to help. We know that weed, although legal here in Arizona, can be especially challenging to quit.

Long-term marijuana use is proven to increase lung cancer risk and chronic bronchitis and harm overall lung health. It can also lead to psychosis and other mental health problems. Quitting now could be a literal lifesaver.

Recognition of your marijuana use disorder is important – it’s the first step to asking for help. You’ve made that first move by connecting with this post and reading up on information about the impact of marijuana smoke.

Let’s make today the last day you smoke marijuana. Give our admissions team a call today and start healing right away.