A new study from the University of Otago has provided fresh insights into how smoking cannabis and tobacco impacts the lungs.
While both substances cause damage, the type of harm they inflict is different. This research is particularly significant as cannabis use continues to grow worldwide.
Professor Bob Hancox, one of the study’s authors, explained that prolonged cannabis use can lead to over-inflated lungs and increased airflow resistance, making it harder to breathe. These effects were found to be even more severe than those caused by tobacco.
The study also revealed that cannabis impairs the lungs’ ability to extract oxygen efficiently, a problem previously associated only with tobacco smoking.
The findings come from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, a long-term project tracking over 1,000 people born in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1972-73.
Participants were studied up to the age of 45, providing some of the most comprehensive data on lifetime cannabis use and its effects on lung function.
Remarkably, about 75% of the participants reported using cannabis at some point, making this a valuable resource for understanding the substance’s long-term impact.
What Is “Bong Lung”?
Heavy cannabis use has been linked to a specific type of lung damage, often referred to as “bong lung.” This condition, a severe form of emphysema, has been recognized by medical professionals but remains poorly understood.
The new study suggests that the lung issues identified in cannabis users may be early signs of this phenomenon, highlighting the need for more research.
Tobacco vs. Cannabis: Different Effects on the Lungs
Previous studies have shown that smoking cannabis and tobacco affects the lungs differently. This research supports those findings and raises important questions about why the two substances have distinct impacts.
Professor Hancox noted that people who smoke both cannabis and tobacco are likely to suffer damage from both substances, compounding the harm to their lungs.
One major challenge in studying cannabis has been its illegal status in many countries, which has limited research. As cannabis becomes decriminalized or legalized in more places, understanding its effects on health, including lung function, is becoming increasingly important.
Implications for Public Health and Policy
The study’s findings are particularly timely as cannabis use continues to rise and its legal status evolves. They provide crucial information for healthcare providers and policymakers, emphasizing the need for public health measures to address the risks associated with cannabis smoking.
Understanding the unique ways cannabis affects the lungs could lead to better medical treatments and preventive strategies in the future.
This research is a wake-up call for anyone who assumes cannabis is a safer alternative to tobacco. Both substances harm the lungs, but in different ways, and prolonged use of either can have serious consequences for respiratory health.
As we continue to learn more about the long-term effects of cannabis, these insights will be vital for shaping health policies and guiding individuals toward safer choices.
If you care about lung health, please read studies about marijuana’s effects on lung health, and why some non-smokers get lung disease and some heavy smokers do not.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and vitamin D could help lower the risk of autoimmune diseases.
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