Many are curious about the benefits of smoking marijuana, but is it actually safer than smoking a cigarette?
The tobacco scene hasn’t always been seen as a bad addiction, but after years of studies, it eventually becomes a harmful habit. And now with the push on marijuana, many are comparing the habit to each other. But is it safer smoking marijuana over cigarettes?
Marijuana smokers who don’t smoke tobacco sometimes rave that their drug of choice is safer than cigarettes. But, the truth is that both tobacco and marijuana have damaging effects when smoked through your lungs. However, with marijuana, there are alternate ways to maintain your medicine without the consequences of smoking. Facts are: marijuana is a natural option and not damaging to your health but when used incorrectly it can be.
Breathing in smoke toxins can be very problematic for respiratory infections, weakened immune systems, and even cause disruption in the reproductive system. Surely, you heard on smokers saying they have no appetite. Lucky, more research is backing the idea that smoke is not created equal. This means different plants contain different gases when burned.
Marijuana Smoke vs. Cigarette Smoke
When it comes to smoking, research shows that both can be harmful. However, it also proves that tobacco is far more harmful to the lungs than smoking a joint. Smoking can expose the skin to free radicals, cause skin deterioration, and cause never-ending harm to your lungs.
Smoking Marijuana
Everyone enjoys a nice smoke every now and then, or maybe even daily. And with the changes in legislation, smoking weed is becoming not only a medical necessity but a recreational trend. Studies have failed to find an actual solid correlation between cannabis and lung cancer. Whether it may increase your risk of lung cancer is unknown. In fact, cannabis can cause damage to the large airways due to the heat of the smoke. This can lead to bronchitis-like symptoms. In the case of second-hand smoke, no matter what it is dangerous. It exposes those to harmful smoke being released and the effects the second-hand person by attacking the blood vessels.
Smoking Tobacco
It is known that 80 percent of lung cancer is linked to tobacco smoking. And to top that off, over 400,000 death alone happen in the US from cigarette smoking. Tobacco smoke contained N-nitrosamines which are the primary source of cancer. In addition, nicotine is one of the most commonly know additive. Nicotine is associated with an increased risk of developing insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and thyroid problems. In fact, new studies have shown nicotine may lead to the increase in tumors development and cancer within the lungs, breast, prostate, and skin. (See also: How Exercise Helps You To Quit Smoking)
So, What are the Options?
Whether you are smoke tobacco or smoking marijuana, both can be a leading cause of lung cancer or complications. Both have been found to cause dependence and tobacco can leave to a serious substance addiction problem. However, despite the dangers of smoking marijuana, there are actually other ways of using cannabis without harming your lungs. Furthermore, these options will help you alleviate any medical issues and also keep your body safe.
- Vaping – Using a type of cannabis pen that you either fill with cannabis flow or oils. This causes less harm to the lungs, eliminates the smell and will still have the healing benefits
- Oils – With the ever-changing medical marijuana field, new creations are happening including oils. This can be from infused coconut oil for cooking to CBD oil that you place under your tongue. Eliminates all smoking intake.
- Capsules – Just like what doctors are used to prescribing. Capsules come filled with THC or CBD oil. This is oral consumption and eliminates smoke from entering the system. However, when taken in a capsule for the onset effects can take longer due to it hitting the blood stream slower.
- Tinctures – Easy to take from a vial. Couple drops under your tongue, or into your drink, tinctures will add a dose of THC or CBD into your system. Tends to have some on-set effects as an edible.
- Edibles – Not yet regulated edibles are being seriously popular. No smoke, no smell and still delicious. It can range from oils to brownies to THC infused drinks.
Bottom line is that smoking marijuana is still a better option than smoking tobacco. However, neither is necessarily safer than the other. So choosing a new way to intake your cannabis is key. Cannabis is medicine first and has many healing powers in several human conditions. And there really are no reliable studies that link weed and unfavorable health effects as is the case in tobacco smoking.
About The Author:
Moeugene Ahmed is a Content Writer & Researcher, as well as a marijuana enthusiast untamed. Words are my biggest passion.
