Is it possible to get lung cancer from weed

Another potential threat to those with weakened immune systems is Aspergillus, a mold that can cause lung disorders. It can grow on marijuana, which if then smoked exposes the lungs to this fungus. There is little known on the potential lung health effects of inhaling marijuana or products made from it through routes other than smoking. The American Lung Association encourages continued research into the health effects of marijuana use, as the benefits, risks and safety of marijuana use for medical purposes require further study.

Patients considering using marijuana for medicinal purposes should make this decision in consultation with their doctor, and consider means of administration other than smoking. See our public policy position on marijuana and lung health. Adverse health effects of marijuana use.

N Engl J Med. Pediatric marijuana exposures in a medical marijuana state. JAMA Pediatr. Tashkin DP. Effects of marijuana smoking on the lung. Ann Am Thorac Soc. A comparison of mainstream and sidestream marijuana and tobacco cigarette smoke produced under two machine smoking conditions.

Chem Res Toxicol. Fractionation and capillary gas chromatographic—mass spectrometric characterization of the neutral components in marijuana and tobacco smoke condensates. J Chromatogr A. On the Carcinogenicity of Marijuana Smoke.

A study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that marijuana has not been proved to be a risk factor in the development of lung cancer. Still, the study had a few limitations, including a small study size, problems quantifying the amount of marijuana used by individuals, and the fact that many pot smokers also smoke cigarettes.

Osita Onugha, M. Marijuana does, however, contain some of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens as cigarette smoke, according to the American Lung Association ALA , which might also result in an increased risk of lung cancer, says Anna Selvaggio, M.

Selvaggio also points out that beyond the exposure to smoke and its toxins, which in itself is harmful to the lungs, marijuana smokers typically inhale deeper and hold that breath longer than cigarette smokers.

Also, marijuana is also often smoked at higher temperatures which results in increased exposure to tar and carbon monoxide. While it's not known how, specifically, marijuana affects the lungs, experts know it does still carry some health risks. According to Onugha, it's also known that marijuana use may cause chronic bronchitis and other respiratory symptoms like cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

The short answer—maybe. Let's take a look at the long answer and the effects that smoking marijuana can have on the lungs. In , many of us in medicine were shocked when a review of research to date did not show an increase in lung cancer related to marijuana use. There was even a suggestion that marijuana had a protective effect against lung cancer.

More recent studies, in contrast, do appear to link smoking marijuana with lung cancer , although the results are mixed, and much uncertainty remains. One study demonstrated a doubling in lung cancer for male marijuana smokers who also used tobacco i. Another study found that long-term use of marijuana increased the risk of lung cancer in young adults in this study defined as age 55 and under , with the risk increasing in proportion to the amount of marijuana smoked.

A large international study conducted in , in contrast, found little association between habitual and long-term use of cannabis and lung cancer. In this review, some association was found between cannabis use and lung adenocarcinoma but no association was found between cannabis use and squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs.

A study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology summarized some of the difficulties both in knowing whether marijuana use is associated with lung cancer, and how well marijuana may work to control symptoms in people living with cancer. Some of these concerns include the fact that many of the studies to date have been small studies, those that have been done have often included small numbers of heavy marijuana smokers, marijuana use, in general, is self-reported, and the combination of tobacco smoking along with marijuana use.

The size and quality of studies on marijuana smoking and lung cancer make it difficult to reach firm conclusions. Researchers have found that regular use of marijuana causes injury to the airways that can be seen visibly as well as under the microscope. That said, regular smoking of marijuana does not seem to cause any significant changes in lung function, nor does it appear to increase the risk of COPD, and COPD is an independent risk factor for lung cancer.

Looking at lung damage from another standpoint, however, seems to minimize that risk. A study looking at the effect of cannabis smoking on the quality of lungs to be used for transplant found that a history of cannabis did not have any effect on transplant outcomes, and that including former cannabis smokers in donor pool could potentially improve the donor pool.

Since marijuana is still illegal in the U. The bottom line on marijuana use and risk of cancer? Though marijuana most likely pales in cancer risk when compared to cigarette smoking, it's best to practice caution. There are reasons in addition to lung cancer risk and the fact that it is illegal in many states to avoid marijuana. Marijuana likely increases the risk of testicular cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, a type of brain tumor, and the risk of leukemia in the offspring of women who use weed during pregnancy.

When we talk about marijuana and cancer, there are generally two different discussions. When talking about the cause of cancer, results are still mixed with some studies suggesting that marijuana smoking increases the risk of cancer and others saying that marijuana may instead protect against cancer. What we do know, is that smoking marijuana may help some people cope with cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, "cannabinoids may have benefits in treating cancer-related side effects.

Some of the side effects that may improve with the use of weed include nausea, loss of appetite, pain, and sleep disturbances. And since cancer cachexia —a combination of symptoms including loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, and muscle wasting—is considered the direct cause of death in 20 percent of people with cancer, the use of cannabinoids by cancer patients deserves much further study.

As far as treatment, the difficulty in studying an illegal substance has limited research. Some studies found that marijuana may have had a benefit in patients with a type of recurrent brain tumor. Research about the anti-inflammatory effects of marijuana is ongoing and often….

Some people may worry about the side effects of secondhand marijuana smoke. Learn more about the potential risks of inhaling secondhand marijuana…. Marijuana has several potential physical and psychological effects on the body, such as lung irritation and increased appetite. Learn more about the…. Can you get lung cancer from smoking weed? Is there a link? Impact on lungs Other risks Secondhand smoke Alternative methods Safety Summary Scientists are not sure if smoking weed can cause lung cancer.

Is there a link between lung cancer and smoking cannabis? How does cannabis smoke affect the lungs? Can smoking cannabis cause other lung conditions? Is secondhand cannabis smoke harmful? Is there a better way to use cannabis? Using cannabis safely. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals.

Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. Is there a link between marijuana and COPD? Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Can marijuana help treat asthma? What are the side effects of secondhand marijuana smoke? Medically reviewed by Femi Aremu, PharmD. How marijuana affects the body.