THC, which stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, is the substance in marijuana that gets you high. Research suggests that vaping THC oil—which is a common form among vapers—may damage your lungs and increase your risk of negative side effects. Other ingredients in vape products can harm your lungs, as well.
Does vaping harm your lungs?
“Vaping involves inhaling a vapor produced by an e-cigarette device deep into your lungs. Vaping devices contain an oil, often called vape juice, to which nicotine and any number of potentially harmful chemicals are added for flavoring or to create a certain aroma, like cotton candy or blueberry. Vape liquids can do irreparable harm to the lungs and other parts of the body.”
Why is vaping causing lung disease?
“We’re still not exactly sure the exact cause of it, but there is an inflammatory response that occurs in the lung presumed due to something in the aerosol from vaping,” says Joanna Tsai, MD, a pulmonologist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
What effect does vaping have on the lungs?
What does vaping do to your lungs? There are some studies that show that one chemical, called diacetyl, that’s used in vape to give butter-like and other flavors, is causing disease in the small airways of the lung, thickening the air sacs and causing inflammation.
Is vaping more dangerous than smoking?
The short-term dangers of vaping-related lung injury are certainly serious. However, the long term health risks of smoking seem to be much greater. The CDC’s warning is absolutely necessary. Until the cause of these injuries is identified, vaping has to be considered a much more immediate risk than smoking.
The Impact of Smoking Marijuana
Marijuana doesn’t have the exact same negative effects as smoking cigarettes. However, most health experts still warn against smoking the drug. Tha...
The Risk of Smoking Marijuana With COPD
COPD affects about 30 million people in America. Most cases are caused by smoking cigarettes. Other causes are due to air pollution, chemical expos...
The Impact of Vaping Marijuana
An alternative method for taking in marijuana is through vaping. Vaping involves inhaling water vapor through a vaporizer or e-cigarette. Although...
Are There Other, Safer Alternatives?
If you're trying to avoid respiratory risks, there are still ways to ingest marijuana. Edible marijuana products, or “edibles,” do far less damage...
Why are e-cigarettes bad for youth?
These are similar in nature to vaporizers used for marijuana, and can greatly impact youth because of the potential cancer-causing substances they release.
How many states allow medical marijuana?
The research on medical marijuana looks promising. However, we still don’t know whether it’s an effective treatment. Beyond that, only 31 states , as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia allow the use of marijuana for medical use.
Why are cigarettes dangerous?
The reason cigarettes are dangerous isn’t because of the nicotine. The tar and other chemicals that cause emphysema or cancer make it so dangerous. Burning or inhaling is a bad idea. That’s why we will probably discover that marijuana is bad for your lungs, too.”.
What is the Foram?
As a passionate vegan, environmentalist, and animal rights advocate , Foram hopes to continue using the power of the written word to promote health education and help everyday people live better, fuller lives on a healthier planet. Last medically reviewed on November 9, 2018.
What is the active ingredient in marijuana?
Two drugs that are a synthetic laboratory version with chemical structure of or similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another active ingredient in marijuana, are approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
What is the best medicine for seizures?
Studies are currently underway to evaluate the benefits of cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical compound found in marijuana. CBD shows promise as a treatment for a variety of medical conditions, including: seizures. cancer. mental illness. addiction. chronic pain.
Can bullae cause shortness of breath?
Bullae can cause shortness of breath. They can also become infected or rupture, causing the lung to collapse. People with significant bullae may require surgery for treatment. Marijuana smoke may also increase the risk of developing lung cancer, according to the American Thoracic Society (ATS).
What Is THC?
Both CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the most common cannabino ids found in cannabis products. And even though they are both found in marijuana and hemp, THC is more prevalent in the marijuana plant than it is in the cannabis plant.
How many teens use marijuana in 2018?
In fact, in 2018, more than 11.8 million young adults had used marijuana in the last year. Meanwhile, the number of teens in 8th and 10th grades who say they use it daily also has increased. Additionally, nearly 4% of 12th graders say they vape THC daily. 2 . Vaping THC oil involves heating the oil and inhaling it through a vaporizing device ...
What is the most common cannabinoids found in cannabis?
Both CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the most common cannabinoids found in cannabis products. And even though they are both found in marijuana and hemp, THC is more prevalent in the marijuana plant than it is in the cannabis plant.
How many people died from evali in 2019?
By December 2019, more than 2,800 cases of the lung disease, often referred to as EVALI, had been reported across the United States. Additionally, nearly 70 people have died so far from the disease and as vaping continues to grow in popularity, the number of deaths is likely to increase. What's more, 82% of the people hospitalized reported using ...
What is the number to call for substance abuse?
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
Is vaping THC oil harmful?
In fact, 40% of the respondents felt that marijuana was " not too" harmful. 8 . Ultimately, vaping THC oil can lead to a substance use disorder. In fact, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, between 9% and 30% of people who use marijuana develop some sort of substance use disorder. And, people who begin using marijuana ...
Is vaping safe?
But the issue is that vaping hasn't been around long enough and there isn't enough research to really determine whether or not it's safer. Recent research suggests that vaping THC oil, especially oil that contains vitamin E acetate, can be particularly harmful to your lungs. 3 Vitamin E acetate, which is regularly added to THC ...
How do vape pens collapse a lung?
Vitamin E acetate is not water-soluble but also replaces the natural surfactant that lines the inside of your lungs.
What are the surfactants in the Warburg Effect?
The surfactants, Vitamin E acetate and Polysorbate 80 , block this messenger and potentially slow down cell division. This might ramp lung damage if the surrounding tissues are not fed enough oxygen (Warburg Effect). New tissue will still need to form via cell division if lung tissue is attacked by a toxin and killed in any condition.
What is the messenger that drives cell division?
In an anaerobic environment, cell division is driven by the messenger, PIK3. In symmetry, the messenger helps cancer, but also healthy tissues to grow in replace of dead cells. But, the tocopherols found in lethal THC vapes block this messenger.
What is the PI3K in 2021?
(2) This detailed the importance of a messenger known as PI3K. Cell-division in the immune system , as well as cancerous tissue, is driven by this special messenger. ...
Can vape pens cause lung collapse?
Lung collapse by tocopherols (vitamin E acetate) is far easier to explain than the tissue damage caused by these THC vape pens. To be frank, though, we cannot yet explain what happens to THC in a vape pen—let alone other additives.
Does THC inhibit messengers?
In greater detail, the full function of the messenger (PIK3) is not black and white. (3) In contrast, THC can inhibit but also activate the messenger for different reasons. Unlike vaporized Vitamin E acetate, however, oral doses of cannabinoids maintain homeostasis.
Does cannabis cause cancer?
Cannabis ‘s natural polypharmacy works on a highly balanced rhythm that does not cause the same risk of cancer or lung damage as THC vapes. So, it is typically ill-advised to alter this balance unnaturally.
Does vaping cause coughing?
Adolescents who reported vaping marijuana were roughly twice as likely to report “wheezing and whistling” in the chest than those who did not. Current use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and cannabis were associated with some respiratory symptoms, such as dry cough, but most associations were not significant after controlling for vaping cannabis.
Is vaping bad for you?
Boyd, who also co-directs U-M’s Center for Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health, stressed that the findings do not mean that vaping nicotine or smoking cigarettes or marijuana are not bad for you. These products also produce symptoms of lung injury, but not to the same degree as vaping marijuana, she said. “In short, it is all bad but ...
Is vaping a smoking habit for teens?
Adolescents who vape cannabis are at greater risk for respiratory symptoms indicative of lung injury than teens who smoke cigarettes or marijuana, or vape nicotine, a new University of Michigan study suggests.
Does smoking marijuana cause lung damage?
Vaping marijuana associated with more symptoms of lung damage than vaping or smoking nicotine. Adolescents who vape cannabis are at greater risk for respiratory symptoms indicative of lung injury than teens who smoke cigarettes or marijuana, or vape nicotine, a new University of Michigan study suggests. The result challenges conventional wisdom ...
Who is Philip Veliz?
Boyd and colleague Philip Veliz, U-M research assistant professor of nursing, wanted to explore the association of unhealthy respiratory symptoms among U.S. adolescents currently using cigarettes, e-cigarettes or cannabis and who had vaped cannabis within their lifetime.
Is asthma associated with lung injury?
The researchers also found that an asthma diagnosis was most strongly associated with symptoms of future lung injury than cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cannabis use and vaping cannabis.
What happens if you inhale diacetyl?
Diacetyl is frequently added to flavored e-liquid to enhance the taste. Inhaling diacetyl causes inflammation and may lead to permanent scarring in the smallest branches of the airways — popcorn lung — which makes breathing difficult. Popcorn lung has no lasting treatment. There are, however, treatments that manage BO symptoms, such as: 1 Coughing 2 Wheezing 3 Chest pain 4 Shortness of breath
What is a vape pen?
With vaping, a device (typically a vape pen or a mod — an enhanced vape pen — that may look like a flash drive) heats up a liquid ( called vape juice or e -liquid) until it turns into a vapor that you inhale. “Vaping is a delivery system similar to a nebulizer, which people with asthma or other lung conditions may be familiar with,” says Broderick. ...
What to do if your lung hurts?
What to Do If Your Lungs Hurt. If you smoke or vape, don’t brush off chest or lung pain as something that’s normal. If you have pain or other symptoms associated with breathing difficulties, such as shortness of breath and chronic cough, it’s important to see a doctor.
What is the condition called when you get sick from eating popcorn?
“Popcorn lung” is another name for bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), a rare condition that results from damage of the lungs’ small airways. BO was originally discovered when popcorn factory workers started getting sick. The culprit was diacetyl, a food additive used to simulate butter flavor in microwave popcorn.
Does diacetyl help with popcorn lung?
Diacetyl is frequently added to flavored e-liquid to enhance the taste. Inhaling diacetyl causes inflammation and may lead to permanent scarring in the smallest branches of the airways — popcorn lung — which makes breathing difficult. Popcorn lung has no lasting treatment. There are, however, treatments that manage BO symptoms, such as:
What is the chemical that can damage your lungs?
Acrolein: Most often used as a weed killer, this chemical can also damage lungs.
What is the food additive used to deepen e-cigarette flavors?
Diacetyl: This food additive, used to deepen e-cigarette flavors, is known to damage small passageways in the lungs.
What is THC?
THC is a potent cannabinoid, a derivative of the hemp or cannabis plant. Cannabis is usually the most commonly preferred (and safest) source of the compound. It is a psychoactive compound and a highly mood-altering substance.
What is the best way to consume THC?
These methods vary in terms of their modes of intake. Vaping and smoking are the most direct forms of consuming THC. Gummies and other edibles offer discreteness.
What are vapes compatible with?
Vapes are usually compatible with every type of substance such as nicotine, CBD, and THC. However, some vape devices are set to go along with a specific product.
What is vaping in science?
Vaping involves minimum combustion of the product. It is intended only to release the specific chemical compound in the form of vapor.
Why do people vape?
Vaping is also a preferred method of consuming various substances, such as CBD, THC, and nicotine because it is handy and requires less prepping than rolling a joint.
What does THC mean in cannabis?
The term “THC” was formerly used only to mean Delta-9 THC, the most abundantly and naturally found form of the compound in the cannabis plant. It is this compound that gives you the nasty feeling of jitters, a racing heart, and paranoia.
Can you use disposable vapes out of the box?
Vapes are available in either disposable or refillable forms. The disposable vapes are ready to use out of the box. All you have to do is take it out, power it on, and get going.
What about vaping?
Vaping marijuana involves inhaling heated oil through a vaporizing device , often referred to as an e-cigarette. Vaping marijuana can also refer to using a vaporizer, such as a Volcano, to produce vapor from dried plant material.
How long does marijuana last?
Effects are often long lasting — anywhere from 6 to 8 hours. For this reason, it’s important to start slowly. Consume a very small amount if you’re ingesting marijuana for the first time. For example, a common dose for edibles is 10 milligrams of THC. If you’re just starting out, opt for 2 to 5 milligrams of THC.
How long does it take for vaping to work?
Both smoking and vaping have an almost immediate effect on the body. Their effects peak within 10 to 15 minutes.
What is it called when you mix marijuana with tobacco?
Some people mix their marijuana with tobacco, so it’s a bit less potent (this is called a spliff).
What are the negative effects of smoking weed?
Some negative health effects associated with chronic weed smoking include: air pockets between the lungs and lungs and chest wall. chronic bronchitis. cough. excessive mucus production. possible increased risk of infection in immunocompromised people, such as those with HIV.
Is vaping bad for you?
Because the harmful effects of smoking are well known and the health effects of vaping are unknown (and possibly very serious), it’s understandable that you might want to seek an alternative way to use marijuana . If you’re looking to consume marijuana in the least risky way, ingesting it might be the way to go.
Is vaping safer than smoking?
Some people believe vaping is safer than smoking because it doesn’t involve inhaling smoke. But the reality is, when it comes to vaping marijuana, there’s much less known about the negative health effects.
Are Dry Herb Vaporizers Safe?
Some vaporizers may also be better for your health than others. Compounds in cannabis oils and waxes can be adulterated during the manufacturing process to enhance the flavors or consistency of a product. When it comes to dried herb itself, what you see is generally what you get. Abnormalities in dried cannabis can typically be detected at the store—like mold, for example.
How much does a dry herb vape cost?
Cannabis enthusiasts say dry herb vaping has a better flavor and milder smell than smoking. A good quality dry herb vape starts at about $200, but the expense could be worth it for people who smoke cannabis regularly.
What do vaporizers use?
Unlike traditional cigarettes that burn leaves to make smoke, vaporizers use batteries and small metal coils to heat a substance until it evaporates and is then inhaled. For this reason, they're often referred to as vapes, vape pens, and vaporizers. But not all devices vaporize the same way.
How long does it take for vaping to work?
If you are new to vaping, it is generally recommended to start low and go slow. If you aren't feeling the desired effect after 15 minutes, you can take a little more.
How long does a single oil pen last?
A single oil cartridge can last several weeks.
Can you smoke cannabis with a vape cart?
Dry herb vapes have a stronger odor that can linger in a room for about 30 minutes, but is easier to mask than smoking. And unlike smoking, vaping does not typically cling to clothing and skin.
Is vaping marijuana harmful?
Vaping marijuana might expose you to fewer toxic ingredients than smoking it, but it's far from harmless. A lot more research is needed to fully understand the health risks associated with vaping in general and vaping products that contain THC.
