There are many benefits that cannabis can bring to your life, but there are also risks. One of these risks is respiratory disease. This is a serious health condition that can lead to long-term complications. While there are currently no known cures, research is still being conducted to try to find a way to prevent and treat this condition. In the meantime, there are many people who are using cannabis products to alleviate their symptoms.
Aspergillosis
There have been a number of reports of respiratory complications associated with cannabis use. These include increased risk of cancer, pulmonary function changes, and bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. However, the relationship between cannabis and lung cancer is still unclear.
One patient developed invasive aspergillosis after receiving marijuana as an antiemetic during quimotherapy for lung cancer. In this case, the patient was also on chemotherapy. This type of aspergillosis is considered a fatal infection. The cause of the disease is believed to be the inhalation of Aspergillus spp.
Another study found that chronic cannabis users had an increased prevalence of shortness of breath and wheezing. In addition, a high rate of lung destruction was found in these patients.
A 17-year-old boy who was suffering from chronic granulomatous disease was admitted to the National Institutes of Health. He developed an illness 12 hours after smoking marijuana contaminated with fungi. Marijuana has been shown to be contaminated with a variety of bacterial and fungal pathogens. Among the bacterial contaminants are Aspergillus fumigatus.
Smoking marijuana can be associated with a range of respiratory infections, including bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and invasive Aspergillus pneumonia. Several risk factors for the development of these infections have been identified, which include:
Long-term cannabis use is linked with an impaired immune system. Besides, heavy consumption can lead to addiction, cognitive impairment, and psychotic disorders.
Smoking marijuana may affect the alveolar macrophages, resulting in decreased phagocytic activity. It has also been shown that marijuana can impair the alveolar cilia, which compromises the first line of defense against infection.
Chronic smokers also have a higher prevalence of acute respiratory illnesses. Studies show an increase in respiratory secretions, such as sputum, and early morning sputum production. They have also been reported to have a loss of ciliated epithelial cells, squamous metaplasia, and goblet cell hyperplasia.
Smoking marijuana is not a good idea for patients undergoing chemotherapy. The combination of marijuana, low-dose steroids, and mild immunosuppression increases the risk of pulmonary infection, especially CPA.
In a large study, invasive aspergillosis patients had a one-year survival rate of 59%. Considering the mortality rates for lung cancer, invasive aspergillosis should be avoided by patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Airway inflammation
Marijuana smoking, like tobacco use, has a number of adverse effects on the respiratory system. The main respiratory effects of marijuana are associated with a loss of the alveolar epithelium and a reduction in cilia and goblet cells. Smokers of marijuana have also been shown to have a higher rate of exacerbations and certain types of emphysema.
The effects of marijuana on the respiratory system have been studied in a variety of ways, including by studying bronchial dynamics, maximum breathing capacity, and the pulmonary function test. Studies of the respiratory effects of cannabis use have produced mixed results.
Some studies found that occasional use of cannabis was associated with no adverse pulmonary effects, whereas regular use of cannabis increased the likelihood of chronic bronchitis. In some cases, regular marijuana smokers were observed to have a higher incidence of squamous metaplasia and goblet cell hyperplasia. These changes are believed to occur due to the airway damage that cannabis inhalation causes.
In a study looking at the respiratory effects of cannabis, researchers examined the lung volumes and spirometry of 943 adult cannabis users. They determined that cannabis smokers inhaled more deeply than tobacco smokers, and the air flow rate of the lung was greater with cannabis than tobacco.
However, the pulmonary effects of marijuana may not be as serious as the lung damage caused by tobacco. Researchers have looked at how often and how much marijuana is smoked, and have found that cannabis smoke contains compounds that are harmful to the respiratory system.
A study of the pulmonary effects of cannabis inhaled by combustion has been conducted, and has shown that the effects of marijuana on the respiratory system are very similar to those of tobacco. Combustion of marijuana has been associated with an increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular complications.
Studies of the effects of cannabis on the respiratory system have also been conducted on the effects of cannabis inhaled by vaporization. Vaporization has been reported to cause a short and long-term increase in sputum production, and a decrease in bronchomotor tone.
Long-term effects
If you use marijuana, there is a chance that it will have a long-term impact on your respiratory system. It’s important to understand the risks of using cannabis so that you can limit your use. You should speak with your health care provider about the benefits and risks of cannabis before taking it.
Cannabis smoking is associated with hyperinflation, a condition in which the lungs are impaired by airflow obstruction. Long-term cannabis use has been linked to respiratory complications, including chronic bronchitis and pulmonary hypertension.
Researchers have noted changes in the lung tissue of marijuana users, which could be a precursor to cancer. They also note that marijuana smokers tend to inhale deeply and hold their breath for longer than cigarette smokers.
Studies suggest that frequent use of cannabis can lead to anxiety, depression, and other problems. People who have trouble thinking may experience a cognitive decline after a long period of using cannabis. The most significant long-term effect of cannabis smoking on the respiratory system is the impairment of large airways function.
Although the effects of cannabis on the respiratory system are known, there are no definitive answers to questions such as what the effects are, how often they occur, and how long they last. More research is needed to better understand these questions.
As a result of the lack of data, there are many different interpretations of the relationship between marijuana and respiratory health. Fortunately, researchers have conducted some interesting studies.
In one study, people who used cannabis regularly for up to three years showed abnormalities in the hippocampus, the brain region that controls long-term memory. This was not true of those who started using cannabis in adolescence.
One study found that cannabis smokers had less lung density in their lungs on a high-resolution CT scan. Another study showed that cannabis smoking accelerated the decline in lung strength in tobacco smokers.
Several studies have been done in the United States and Europe, but the results are not conclusive. Some studies have been conducted in North Africa.
Methods of consumption
The effects of smoking cannabis on the respiratory system are still being investigated. However, the current evidence is relatively limited. As more countries continue to relax their legislation, recreational use of the drug is likely to increase.
Long-term use of cannabis is known to increase the risk of chronic bronchitis. It may also increase the risk of lung cancer. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for various airway diseases that affect both large and small airways. Smoking tobacco is a major contributor to these diseases.
Smoking tobacco damages the alveoli, the structures inside the airways that allow oxygen to enter. Inhaling tobacco smoke also leads to airway inflammation and obstruction.
Using a vaporizer rather than a combustion method of consuming cannabis has been shown to improve respiratory symptoms. This is especially true when compared to smoking.
Chronic cannabis smokers demonstrate an increased prevalence of shortness of breath, cough, and wheezing. They may be at higher risk for barotrauma and a secondary pneumothorax. Compared with non-smokers, cannabis-only smokers have lower lung density and lower forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio.
Cannabis smoke contains hundreds of compounds. These compounds are similar to those found in tobacco.
There is a lack of well-designed experimental models to evaluate the effects of cannabis smoke on the respiratory system. A growing number of case reports suggest that cannabis smoke can induce bullous disease.
Several studies have suggested that cannabis smoke is associated with an increase in sputum production and asthma. Smoking cannabis may also cause changes in the brain’s development.
Research on the respiratory effects of cannabis is complicated by the presence of nicotine. Fortunately, there are standardized preparations of aqueous cigarette smoke extract available for researchers to understand the effects of exposure to tobacco.
While the respiratory effects of smoking cannabis have been demonstrated, there are still many questions about the long-term health consequences of chronic use. To address these, more research is necessary.
A review of the literature was conducted to assess the current state of knowledge regarding the chronic effects of smoking cannabis on respiratory function. Studies that were not peer-reviewed or incorporated pulmonary function measures were discarded.
