A study from the University of Otago has found that while both tobacco and cannabis smoking lead to lung damage, the types of harm they cause are distinct.
The research has been described as groundbreaking, given the widespread use of cannabis globally.
Study co-author Professor Bob Hancox explained that prolonged cannabis use led to over-inflated lungs and increased resistance to airflow, more so than tobacco.
Cannabis use was also found to impair the lungs’ ability to extract oxygen, a feature previously thought to be unique to tobacco.
The research came from the long-term Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, involving over 1,000 individuals born in Dunedin in 1972/73, tracked up to the age of 45.
This study is considered to have some of the most comprehensive data on lifetime cannabis use and lung function.
About 75% of the participants in the Dunedin study had used cannabis at some point in their lives. Despite its widespread usage, research on the respiratory effects of cannabis has been limited due to its illegal status in many countries.
The “Bong Lung” Phenomenon
Medical professionals have recognized a distinct form of lung damage in heavy cannabis users, colloquially termed “bong lung,” which is a severe form of emphysema.
This latest study suggests that the lung problems it identified might be the early signs of “bong lung.”
Comparisons with Previous Studies
The research supports prior studies that found cannabis and tobacco have different effects on the lungs. Professor Hancox stressed that people who smoke both substances are likely to experience lung damage from each.
Why cannabis affects the lungs differently from tobacco remains an open question. With the increasing global trend toward cannabis decriminalization, Professor Hancox emphasizes that understanding the respiratory effects of cannabis is a priority.
The study offers crucial insights into the different ways cannabis and tobacco can harm the lungs, with potential long-term implications for public health policies and medical treatments.
As the legal status of cannabis continues to shift, these findings are particularly timely for both healthcare providers and policymakers.
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The research findings can be found in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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