Re: smoke inhalation. I think the comparison to cigarettes is more like a pack a day of one vs maybe 1/4 of a joint of the other. Really, a little dab’ll do ya.
Pot smoke contains aromatic hydrocarbons, a carcinogen. OTOH, I have read studies that suggest smoking pot actually suppresses lung cancer such that, yes, it is better that smoking nothing at all. It isn’t clear if it suppresses all cancer though. Sorry I can’t cite these studies at this time, I think they were in the journal Analytic Chemistry.
The main downside? It makes a person intoxicated. A stoned person really shouldn’t drive. Saying and doing foolish things can limit one’s social viability. With a little common sense I don’t think the downsides are all that serious for most people, but I also think many don’t fully respect the fact that smoking pot is, yes, taking drugs.
In my experience people who have bad experiences are very structured people and the sudden feeling of loss of control is very frightening. Also insecure people think everyone is watching them and syke themselves out. Or the first time they try it is when they are drunk. Mixing alcohol and cannabis is like multiplying the intoxication 3fold.
To the poster who said they tried it a bunch of times but only got high once, thats b/c you where smoking wrong the other times. I know its hard to believe that smoking be complicated but I’ve never seen a first timer get it without a little coaching. I always would say if your not coughing your not doing it right, virgin lungs will always become agitated. If you breathe in you should feel the air rushing over your tongue that is how you inhale correctly (ahem mr. Clinton).
As to the perversity of smoking a lot of the older generation are completely fooling themselves. It already is everywhere. In food buisness, hotel, construction, delivery drivers I agree at least half of these people are smoking daily. The issue is everyone wants to compare it to alcohol, the last generation drank and drove and killed so many people they ruined it for everyone else. Smoking makes you a safer driver and a better worker at these meanial jobs because you are enjoying yourself. Those that havent tried cannot accurately assess the difference in intoxication and wont believe that but to anymore who is a seasoned blade they will agree.
I could go on and on but I want to say two more things. The reason why I enjoy it is that it gives you the imagination of a child a toke on a sunny summer day then taking a walk is magical. Its this imagination that makes people scared and paranoid you just need to remember like any drug dont fight feelings just experience it and move on which is as easy as thinking of something else or having some stimuli like music.
Finally to answer the OP’s question, nothing, in moderation. In excess the short answer dont become an introvert and cannabis isnt a party drug so if you do it and go out in public paranoia comes with the territory.
I know a person who felt they were smoking too much but had a very hard time cutting down.
It seems like the pendulum has swung from “Take just one hit and you will go insane” to “Pot is as harmless and beneficial as broccoli.” Pot is an intoxicant. It’s a relatively benign intoxicant, but it isn’t harmless. The war on drugs is a disaster and weed should be legal, but the hype among the pro pot types is ridiculous. If you enjoy it in moderation, fine, but be aware that all you are doing is indulging in intoxication. (Medical uses to one side of course.)