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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by laima on July 20, 2006, at 15:35:43
Are there? Once upon a time I used to smoke a lot of marijuana, but backed off when I noticed it saping my ambitions and goals. Then I smoked sporadically, but noticed a "depression hangover" a day or two later each time, so I just plain quit. Then I briefly smoked cigarettes- but very few, very briefly, and I ended up quitting smoking anything altogether. One haunting question--is it true that one marijuana joint is as damaging to the lungs as a full pack of cigarettes??? After years of smoking neither, am I ok? Thanks.
Posted by james K on July 21, 2006, at 15:18:26
In reply to long term effects from smoking marijuana and cigar, posted by laima on July 20, 2006, at 15:35:43
I recently read an article on this. I have no idea where or when, so I can't give you a link or anything.
My opinion based on this recent article (study?, report?) is that one joint is not as dangerous as a pack of cigarettes. The really dangerous parts of cigarettes are distinct to tobacco and cigarette manufacture. Inhaling smoke is not good for us period, but among the many dangerous chemicals in each burned substance, tobacco has far more than many other burned substances, including marijuana.
I don't think an ex pot smoker is in the kind of lung or cancer danger as a current or ex smoker. Quitting tobacco greatly reduces your risks as well.
this is a combination of remembered fact mixed with opinion based on intuition and distrust of antidrug propaganda and pro tobacco propaganda. Please feel free to dispute, ingnore, or point both of us to some real facts. thanks
JamesK
Posted by laima on July 21, 2006, at 17:18:08
In reply to Re: long term effects from smoking marijuana and cigar » laima, posted by james K on July 21, 2006, at 15:18:26
Thank you! I appreciate all and any info.
I had heard the rumour "1 joint = 1 pack cigarrettes" long ago, but never saw it written anywhere. I hope it is only a myth, or else I'm in big trouble lungwise.
> I recently read an article on this. I have no idea where or when, so I can't give you a link or anything.
>
> My opinion based on this recent article (study?, report?) is that one joint is not as dangerous as a pack of cigarettes. The really dangerous parts of cigarettes are distinct to tobacco and cigarette manufacture. Inhaling smoke is not good for us period, but among the many dangerous chemicals in each burned substance, tobacco has far more than many other burned substances, including marijuana.
>
> I don't think an ex pot smoker is in the kind of lung or cancer danger as a current or ex smoker. Quitting tobacco greatly reduces your risks as well.
>
> this is a combination of remembered fact mixed with opinion based on intuition and distrust of antidrug propaganda and pro tobacco propaganda. Please feel free to dispute, ingnore, or point both of us to some real facts. thanks
>
> JamesK
Posted by Medric on July 24, 2006, at 5:16:28
In reply to long term effects from smoking marijuana and cigar, posted by laima on July 20, 2006, at 15:35:43
As far as I can tell, there has been virtually no solid evidence connecting marijuana with cancer, though there has not been as much research done due to it being a Schedule 1 substance, making it illegal to research (may be a few exceptions). Although it does contain about 50 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke, as of 1982, there had never been a case of lung cancer attributable solely to smoking marijuana. I believe the comparison of cigarettes to marijuana was about 1-3 joints to a pack (obviously the size of a joint is not standardized and varies a lot), and that it is only comparing the amount of carbon, which is the basic problem with smoking anything. Also, if you are worried about the fact that there are 421 different chemicals in marijuana besides THC that MAY DO SOMETHING, so far none of them have been found to have any effects worth noting. The point is that with no conclusive evidence, there's no way to prove anything, but as far as i can tell, marijuana is much healthier for your lungs than tobacco. Oh, and to anwser your last question, your lungs most likely completely recovered years ago.
Also, a list of harmful/highly poisonous chemicals in cigarettes, some put in purposefully (not sure about cigars, probably not as many or none added): Benzene, Formaldehyde, Ammonia, Acetone, Tar, Nicotine, Carbon Monoxide, Arsenic, Hydrogen Cyanide.
Posted by laima on July 24, 2006, at 9:08:21
In reply to Re: long term effects from smoking marijuana and c, posted by Medric on July 24, 2006, at 5:16:28
Thank you, very informative and re-assuring. Too bad the research on marijuana and it's effects is scant or banned, so it's hard to get good, accurate info. Mostly just scare-tactics out there, from what I've gathered. As for the tobacco- what's up with that? Are those substances you list additives, or in the actual tobacco? Just curious.> As far as I can tell, there has been virtually no solid evidence connecting marijuana with cancer, though there has not been as much research done due to it being a Schedule 1 substance, making it illegal to research (may be a few exceptions). Although it does contain about 50 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke, as of 1982, there had never been a case of lung cancer attributable solely to smoking marijuana. I believe the comparison of cigarettes to marijuana was about 1-3 joints to a pack (obviously the size of a joint is not standardized and varies a lot), and that it is only comparing the amount of carbon, which is the basic problem with smoking anything. Also, if you are worried about the fact that there are 421 different chemicals in marijuana besides THC that MAY DO SOMETHING, so far none of them have been found to have any effects worth noting. The point is that with no conclusive evidence, there's no way to prove anything, but as far as i can tell, marijuana is much healthier for your lungs than tobacco. Oh, and to anwser your last question, your lungs most likely completely recovered years ago.
>
> Also, a list of harmful/highly poisonous chemicals in cigarettes, some put in purposefully (not sure about cigars, probably not as many or none added): Benzene, Formaldehyde, Ammonia, Acetone, Tar, Nicotine, Carbon Monoxide, Arsenic, Hydrogen Cyanide.
Posted by Medric on July 24, 2006, at 14:28:02
In reply to Re: long term effects from smoking marijuana and c » Medric, posted by laima on July 24, 2006, at 9:08:21
The tar and the nicotine are from the tobacco, the carbon monoxide is from burning the tobacco and some of the additives. The rest are added. You can find a full list of additives here:
http://thememoryhole.org/cig-additives.htm
Posted by laima on July 24, 2006, at 15:54:55
In reply to Re: long term effects from smoking marijuana and c, posted by Medric on July 24, 2006, at 14:28:02
Thank you, Medric.
> The tar and the nicotine are from the tobacco, the carbon monoxide is from burning the tobacco and some of the additives. The rest are added. You can find a full list of additives here:
> http://thememoryhole.org/cig-additives.htm
This is the end of the thread.
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