In a study from the University of Ottawa and elsewhere, scientists found marijuana smokers have a higher rate of emphysema and airway diseases compared to cigarette smokers.
They examined the chest CT examinations of 56 marijuana smokers, 57 non-smokers, and 33 tobacco-only smokers between 2005 and 2020.
The team determined higher rates of airway inflammatory changes, such as bronchiectasis, bronchial wall thickening, and mucoid impaction, in marijuana smokers.
In the study, the team aimed to find answers on the effect of marijuana on the lungs and its health implications, especially with little information available in the current literature since marijuana only became legal in Canada in 2018.
What’s unique about this study is that there hasn’t been anything comparing the imaging findings in tobacco smokers to marijuana smokers before.
In fact, there is a lack of imaging research on marijuana, probably because it’s still illegal in many parts of the world, and in many U.S. states.
Despite the small sample size, the current findings suggest that marijuana smokers saw additional effects on the lungs above tobacco alone, including more instances of large and small airway diseases.
The team has identified an association between marijuana smoking and damage to both the small and the large airways.
They say they still need more research before they can affect policy change. They need larger, more robust prospective studies with more patients to confirm it.
If you care about Marijuana, please read studies that marijuana users need up to 220% higher dosage for sedation in surgeries, and Marijuana may strongly increase death risk in high blood pressure.
If you care about lung health, please read studies about the cause of wheezing in the lungs, and why Viagra may be useful in treating lung diseases.
The study was conducted by Giselle Revah et al and published in Radiology.
Copyright © 2022 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
