# Compared to cigarettes, is smoking weed bad for your health? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 11, 2009, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755 "2009-01-11T03:13:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/21 "2009-01-12T06:46:17Z")
> [@outside\_artist](#): > > Does anyone know of a good quality vaporizer? There are so many of them and I have never heard of that method until now. I went to a few sites but which one to buy? I’ve had excellent results with the [Volcano](http://www.thevolcanovaporizer.com/index.php). Spendy sucker, though. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Dave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/46a35a/32.png) [@Great\_Dave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Dave)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/22 "2009-01-12T07:21:55Z")
Is there any reason to hold marijuana smoke in, though? People think that you get higher, but I’ve heard that most of the THC is absorbed pretty quick. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/23 "2009-01-12T12:19:06Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > Erm, correlation doesn’t equal causation. It’s odd that no where in that site did it mention that perhaps people with a predisposition for schizophrenia may be more drawn to smoking marijuana. That seems like a rather odd omission. [Marijuana may trigger schizophrenic-like symptoms](http://alcoholism.about.com/od/pot/a/blacer040615.htm) [Scientists Show How Cannabis May Trigger Schizophrenia](http://operationmorningstar.org/scientists_show_how_cannabis.htm) Though I have no doubt that pre-schizophrenics are drawn to marijuana for the same reason they are disproprotionately drawn to nicotine–self-medication of symptoms like sensory numbness, anxiety, anhedonia, and social discomfort–I think there’s enough empirical and anecdotal evidence to caution people at high-risk for developing the disease to avoid mind-altering drugs and alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/24 "2009-01-12T12:32:39Z")
> [@Vox\_Imperatoris](#): > > I imagine also that it’s hard to get detailed statistics on this—“Hey, we want to get people to smoke a bunch of weed every day for at least a decade to see the long-term effects. Is that okay?” > > Valete, > Vox Imperatoris For the good of science, I shall selflessly volunteer myself as an experimental subject. Of course, I imagine the scientists will want to supply me with the weed, to ensure consistency… ---
**Author:** ![outside\_artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@outside\_artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outside_artist)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/25 "2009-01-12T13:27:34Z")
Ah! Allow me to selflessly join you. I imagine those conducting the experiment would wish to ensure consistency by supplying any substances needed to ensure statistical purity. And thank you, cebe11 for the info. ---
**Author:** ![Peanut\_Gallery](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/838e76/32.png) [@Peanut\_Gallery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanut_Gallery)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/26 "2009-01-12T18:41:14Z")
Another vote for vaporizers. I got a Volcano about a year ago, and would sooner quit than go back to \*smoking \*smoking. It’s a night and day difference from actual smoke, and still works very well. ---
**Author:** ![outside\_artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@outside\_artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outside_artist)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/27 "2009-01-12T18:53:40Z")
Dog, They’re pricey. Which one do you have? The classic? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/28 "2009-01-12T20:50:36Z")
> [@Great\_Dave](#): > > Is there any reason to hold marijuana smoke in, though? People think that you get higher, but I’ve heard that most of the THC is absorbed pretty quick. Because talking funny cracks up your fellow smokers. ---
**Author:** ![jakesteele](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ed8c4c/32.png) [@jakesteele](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakesteele)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/29 "2009-01-13T10:34:42Z")
For what it’s worth. > **[Yahoo | Mail, Weather, Search, Politics, News, Finance, Sports & Videos](https://www.yahoo.com/)** > > Latest news coverage, email, free stock quotes, live scores and video are just the beginning. Discover more every day at Yahoo! Myth: Marijuana is More Damaging to the Lungs Than Tobacco. Marijuana smokers are at a high risk of developing lung cancer, bronchitis, and emphysema. Fact: Moderate smoking of marijuana appears to pose minimal danger to the lungs. Like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke contains a number of irritants and carcinogens (something that will give you cancer). But marijuana users typically smoke much less often than tobacco smokers, and over time, inhale much less smoke. As a result, the risk of serious lung damage should be lower in marijuana smokers. There have been no reports of lung cancer related solely to marijuana, and in a large study presented to the American Thoracic Society in 2006, even heavy users of smoked marijuana were found NOT to have any increased risk of lung cancer. Unlike heavy tobacco smokers, heavy marijuana smokers exhibit no obstruction of the lung’s small airway. That indicates that people will not develop emphysema from smoking marijuana. It’s not nicotine that is the worst for you either in cigarettes. It’s all the tar and carcinogens. Marijuana does have less, yes. The only reason I’d stay out of marijuana is because it’s a stepping stone for other drugs. What happens when you want something better? That’s when damaging effects from more hardcore drugs set in. Don’t waste your time with drugs, honestly. Don’t tell yourself because they’re better than cigarettes you can have them when not having any at all is the safest way to live a longer life. ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/30 "2009-01-13T15:22:47Z")
> [@Vox\_Imperatoris](#): > > I imagine also that it’s hard to get detailed statistics on this—“Hey, we want to get people to smoke a bunch of weed every day for at least a decade to see the long-term effects. Is that okay?” > > Valete, > Vox Imperatoris Volunteer #1 checking in. Where do I pick up the research materials? ---
**Author:** ![HumanMonkeyGod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c67d28/32.png) [@HumanMonkeyGod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HumanMonkeyGod)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/31 "2009-01-13T15:49:26Z")
> [@jakesteele](#): > > …What happens when you want something better? … Home-grown stuff… it doesn’t get any better. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/32 "2009-01-13T16:49:31Z")
> [@jakesteele](#): > > The only reason I’d stay out of marijuana is because it’s a stepping stone for other drugs. According to at least [one study](http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/163/12/2134) the so-called gateway hypothesis is a myth. > [@](#): > > Don’t waste your time with drugs, honestly. Don’t tell yourself because they’re better than cigarettes you can have them when not having any at all is the safest way to live a longer life. :rolleyes: if you’re interested in living a longer life, your priority should be on avoiding UV rays, cholesterol, and automobile travel. All of those things can shorten your life drastically. Nobody has ever demonstrated that cannabis shortens your life, unless I’ve missed something. Not saying that it’s 100% safe for everyone, but then nothing in life is. Moderation is key, and free adults should be able to choose. ---
**Author:** ![outside\_artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@outside\_artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outside_artist)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/33 "2009-01-13T16:57:02Z")
If one quits smoking and eating dope after having done so for over 20 years in which one built up a huge tolerance, will one eventually feel its effect as one originally did? Does your tolerance level go back to where it was? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/34 "2009-01-13T17:27:44Z")
> [@outside\_artist](#): > > If one quits smoking and eating dope after having done so for over 20 years in which one built up a huge tolerance, will one eventually feel its effect as one originally did? Does your tolerance level go back to where it was? I can’t answer for 20 years, but my friend (no, really!) recently quit for 3 months, just 'cause she felt like it. She was a really heavy smoker, a wake and baker who refreshed her buzz pretty much whenever it wore off. She went through a \*lot \*of weed. After her three month break, she was shocked that a one-hitter got her off. So taking a break will at least temporarily reset your tolerance. She’s gone back to moderate smoking, but I don’t know where her tolerance moved to; I’ll ask her later. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/35 "2009-01-13T18:13:22Z")
> [@jakesteele](#): > > For what it’s worth. > [http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081221192426AAvQ4Jk](http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081221192426AAvQ4Jk) > Myth: Marijuana is More Damaging to the Lungs Than Tobacco. Marijuana smokers are at a high risk of developing lung cancer, bronchitis, and emphysema. > > Fact: Moderate smoking of marijuana appears to pose minimal danger to the lungs. Like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke contains a number of irritants and carcinogens (something that will give you cancer). But marijuana users typically smoke much less often than tobacco smokers, and over time, inhale much less smoke. As a result, the risk of serious lung damage should be lower in marijuana smokers. Right, clearly drawing smoke from burning weeds into your lungs is not good. But Weed seems to be safer than Tobacco and I don’t know of\* anyone\* who smokes 40 joints a day. OTOH, a couple pipefuls of good pipe tobacco a day likely won’t kill you either. So, yeah, doing a couple blunts over the weekend is likley fairly safe for most dudes. ---
**Author:** ![Interconnected\_Series\_of\_Tubes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/13edae/32.png) [@Interconnected\_Series\_of\_Tubes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Interconnected_Series_of_Tubes)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/36 "2009-01-13T21:12:38Z")
> [@Vox\_Imperatoris](#): > > Also, why do anti-pot ads almost never mention this, concentrating mainly on the dangers of behavior influenced by the psychological effects and “weed with its roots in Hell!” type stuff? I mean, all they would have to say is “it’s like smoking, but worse” and the message would be a lot more effective (plus they could take advantage of the anti-smoking advertising dollars by proxy). > > Valete, > Vox Imperatoris I don’t know if you’re being pointed here, but the fact that the War on Drugs **doesn’t** bring up any health effects of marijuana in most (all?) of its anti-weed spots speaks volumes to its provable, physical harm. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/37 "2009-01-13T21:35:37Z")
I will have to say that most of the _heavy_ pot-users I have known are useless couch potatoes. Hoever, that may be a “chicken or the egg” question.😛 ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/38 "2009-01-13T21:58:38Z")
> [@Vox\_Imperatoris](#): > > I imagine also that it’s hard to get detailed statistics on this—“Hey, we want to get people to smoke a bunch of weed every day for at least a decade to see the long-term effects. Is that okay?” > > Valete, > Vox Imperatoris Actually, that’s a ridiculously easy bill to fill. ---
**Author:** ![New\_Beginning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@New\_Beginning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Beginning)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/39 "2009-01-14T00:11:18Z")
I don’t normally like to turn to anecdotes, but within the pot community there has never been, as far as I know, even a hint of anecdotal evidence of high cancer incidence. This is surprising given the number of serious potheads out there. Personally though, I don’t take any chances and highly recommend vaporization. My feel is that if you’re burning plant matter, you must be producing at least _some_ carcinogens… ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755/40 "2009-01-14T01:30:09Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I will have to say that most of the _heavy_ pot-users I have known are useless couch potatoes. Hoever, that may be a “chicken or the egg” question.😛 Can I act as a counterexample to this claim? 😉 From my experiences, marijuana usage is going to enhance your pre-existing lifestyle qualities. Lazy bastards are going to be even lazier when high, but hard working achievers may not see such a dent in their normal activities… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compared-to-cigarettes-is-smoking-weed-bad-for-your-health/480755.md?page=3)