Marijuana and Your Lungs

What is Marijuana? Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug in North America. It is a mixture of dry, shredded flowers, stems and leaves of the cannabis plant pictured here on the right.

Marijuana and your lungs Although there are several different ways people use marijuana, we are going to focus on the effect of smoking marijuana on your lungs.

Tetrahydrocannabinol Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is the active ingredient in marijuana. It’s chemical formula is C21H30O2 The picture on the right shows a molecule of THC.

Effects of THC When smoked, THC passes from the lungs into the bloodstream which transports it to the brain and other organs. THC connects with a specific receptor site in the brain and within minutes of being inhaled the user will likely feel, along with intoxication, a dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, some loss of coordination and poor sense of balance, and slower reaction time. Blood vessels in the eye expand, so the user’s eyes look red.

Staying Power in the Body THC is absorbed by fatty tissue and for less frequent users THC can be traced in the body by a simple urine test for several days For chronic or heavy smokers, THC can be traced in the body for up to several weeks

Effects on the Lungs The effect of marijuana on the lungs is currently being investigated as the use of medicinal marijuana increases. In the past, it has been reported that smoking marijuana will have the same effects as smoking tobacco. Current research has shown that it may not be the case. Tobacco has more of an effect on the lungs than marijuana.

That being said…… When a person smokes any substance they are exposing their lungs to chemicals that irritate the lungs. Individuals who smoke marijuana can have many of the same respiratory problems as tobacco smokers, such as daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illness, and a heightened risk of lung infections.

Medicinal uses of Marijuana As an antiemetic to control nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. As an antiemetic to control nausea and vomiting associated with the use of drugs for controlling the spread of the AIDS virus; without which patients could regurgitate the nausea inducing drugs before being properly absorbed by the body. To reverse the weight reduction syndrome of AIDS.

Medicinal uses of Marijuana To control seizures in patients suffering from epilepsy. To reduce pressure within the eyes associated with glaucoma. To alleviate muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis. To alleviate pain and muscle spasms for paraplegics and quadriplegics.