We all grew up learning that smoking was unhealthy. So it begs the question, is cannabis smoke bad for you? While less dangerous than smoking tobacco, smoking cannabis does still increase the risk of types of health conditions. After all, smokes contain tars. And we’ve all seen how a bowl or waterpipe looks after smoking cannabis flower. It’s covered in resins and tar.
In this article, we will look at some of the drawbacks to smoking and answer the question “is cannabis smoke bad for you?” We’ll find out if it’s bad for your health, and if so, how much. Finally, we’ll discuss preventative measures you can take to protect yourself. We will also explore what alternatives are available for ingesting cannabis that doesn’t involve smoking such as vaping, edibles, and tinctures. Let’s take a closer look.
So, Is Cannabis Smoke Bad for Your Health?
There is an association between large airway inflammation, increased airway resistance, and lung hyperinflation and those who smoke cannabis on a regular basis. You may not like to hear it, but it’s true. For example, regular cannabis smokers report more symptoms of chronic bronchitis than those who do not partake. In fact, some studies suggested that THC’s immune-suppressing effects could make the lungs more susceptible to certain infections such as pneumonia. That being said, there has been no evidence in any animal or human studies that marijuana smoking increases the risk for emphysema.
There have been some well-designed population studies on whether marijuana smoking contributes to an increased risk of lung cancer. So far, they have failed to find a direct correlation. It’s a complex question for researchers to get to the bottom of because there are different behaviors as far as how people smoke cigarettes, versus how they smoke cannabis. People who smoke cannabis tend to inhale more deeply and hold the smoke in their lungs for a longer duration than cigarette smokers. Furthermore, people who smoke cannabis may smoke less frequently than those that smoke cigarettes. However, that’s not always the case.
It can get even more complex for researchers because some people smoke both cannabis and tobacco, which can make it more difficult to establish if there is an increased risk of lung cancer among cannabis smokers. Cell culture and animal studies suggest that THC and CBD may have antitumor effects. This has been proposed as a reason why we have not seen a clear association between cannabis smoking and lung cancer. However, more research is still needed on this subject to get a definitive answer.
Is Cannabis Smoke Bad for Your Mouth and Gums?
Just as with smoking tobacco, smoking cannabis can be bad for your oral health too. In general, heavy smokers are more likely to experience oral health issues such as gum disease and inflammation. Due to the factors listed above, it is a complicated question to determine how cannabis smoke affects oral health. These factors include one’s oral hygiene habits, use of preventative care, frequency of dental visits, whether they smoke tobacco as well, dietary habits, etc.
Additionally, many cannabis smokers report experiencing “cotton mouth”, also known as xerostomia or dry mouth. This is caused by an under-functioning of the salivary glands. THC sends signals to endocannabinoid receptors to limit saliva production. This is why you may experience that dry mouth sensation after smoking cannabis. This is bad for oral health because saliva is important for preventing plaque build-up, it also flushes out bacteria, prevents bad breath, slows down tooth decay, and helps you break down food to digest.
The high temperatures of cannabis smoke can irritate the gums, leading to inflammation and swelling, as well as bleeding gums. There are carcinogens present in the smoke that can be very damaging to the tissue of the gums if they are not properly cared for.
Cannabis smokers may also experience discolored teeth since tar from the smoke will stain the teeth over time. Even with good oral hygiene habits and regular trips to the dentist, discoloration is still likely to occur. In order to minimize damage to the teeth and gums, be sure to brush and floss daily, stay hydrated, avoid too many sugary or processed foods, get regular teeth cleanings, and be honest with your dentist about your lifestyle.
Is Vaping Any Better?
So what about vaping? Is vaping cannabis safer than smoking? There are basically two types of vaping. There are vaporizing devices, that are similar to e-cigarettes which allow you to inhale cannabis oil. Additionally, some vaporizers produce vapor from dried plant material. We are still learning whether there are negative health effects from vaping cannabis.
Certainly, there has been recent information emerging that vape pens that contain vitamin E acetate are extremely dangerous. Thankfully if you are buying cannabis products at a licensed Nevada dispensary, you won’t have to worry about finding this ingredient in any of the products. Every cannabis product sold in the state of Nevada must be rigorously tested for safety and held to high-quality standards.
Very little data exists to answer the question of vaping can be less harmful than smoking cannabis. One study in 2009 showed that there were less harmful byproducts in vaping versus smoking, but a lot of that came down to the temperature that was heating the cannabis. In the study, the cannabis was vaporized at three different temperatures: 338 degrees F, 392 degrees F, and 446 degrees F. Less harmful toxins were measured in the lowest temperature setting, and the toxins in cannabis smoke were much higher than the by-product of vaping. More research is needed on this subject however to determine long-term safety.
Edibles As An Option
Thankfully there are other delivery methods for cannabis that don’t involve smoking or vaping. Edible cannabis products are a fun smoke-free way to enjoy cannabis. OMG THC has a delicious collection of infused chocolate bars, chocolate Bitez, and chocolate-covered fruits & nuts. Our product line includes chocolates that are sugar-free, vegan friendly and some are infused with both THC and CBD.
With mouth-watering flavors like dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and peanut butter milk chocolate, it’ll be hard to decide on just one flavor. The chocolate-covered espresso beans and blueberries are sublime! OMG THC also has a line of infused gummy candies as well. They come in delicious flavors such as watermelon, cherry, mango, and a 1:1 strawberry. They are all infused with full-spectrum cannabis oil.
Omg THC has also collaborated with Soul D’licious Seasonings to create THC infused seasoning blends. Each pack of infused seasoning blends comes with 10 packs of seasonings, each of which contains 10mg of THC distillate, combined with some delicious savory flavors. In fact, the newest spice, Lemonpeper Garlic is coming out in the next few weeks. These can be used to season burgers, chicken, fish, salads, roasted veggies, bread, the sky is the limit! Incorporating these savory blends into your meals is a great way to get creative with THC.
Tinctures Are a Great Way to Ingest THC & CBD
If you want to avoid eating sweets or need a more concentrated dose of THC or CBD then tinctures are a great choice for you. Our sister brand Experience Premium Cannabis has a beautiful line of THC and CBD tinctures that are designed to meet a diverse range of needs. All EPC tinctures are formulated with MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) coconut oil, to aid in the fast absorption of the terpenes and cannabinoids.
The line of tinctures includes products that are pure CBD or THC as well as tinctures that combine different ratios of both, including 1:1, as well as 2:1, 5:1, 10:1, and 20:1 CBD to THC ratios. Each of these ratios has different therapeutic applications. They also make special tinctures with more specialized purposes such as a Golden Mylk tincture for immunity, GI Support for digestions, Breathe Easy for lung health, and “Good Night” for sleep support.
You can injest tinctures in a variety of ways. Add them to your favorite drinks like smoothies, juices, etc. Just avoid the heat. Additionally, you can take them sublingually. This is what I do. They tend to go to work faster than edibles because the tincture can be absorbed by the blood vessels under the tongue if you take the tincture sublingually. It is easy to measure and level your dose for predictable symptom management, and because they are so highly concentrated, a little bit often goes a long way.
Should I Smoke Cannabis Flower?
In the end, I think we all have a soft spot for cannabis flower. It’s very likely we grew up with that as the only option to ingest THC. We’re fond of the smell, the taste, the ritual. We love the sharing and community that comes with smoking a bowl with your friends. So with that in mind, it’s no surprise you may want to continue smoking cannabis. And we can’t blame you there. I still like to do it myself.
But, like ingesting any substance, it’s important to know what effects it will have on both the mind and body. And in the end, smoke is not the healthiest substance you could introduce into your system. Therefore, if you are worried that cannabis smoke is bad for you, try edibles or tinctures instead. You may be pleasantly surprised by how good you feel, and that you can still enjoy all the benefits of cannabis without smoking. Ultimately, it’s up to you. So make the choice that’s best for your body and enjoy your cannabis experience.
About OMG THC
We’re homegrown in Las Vegas, Nevada. We embrace niches others in the Cannabis market ignore or reject. Vegan? Diabetic? Gourmet cook? Old-school hash connoisseur? Looking for a specific ratio of CBD and THC in your products? You got it!
Additionally, we care about quality and the effects our products have on people’s lives & health. OMG THC use only CO2 and ethanol extraction methods. We NEVER use butane or other petrochemicals to extract our oils. We want our products to be easy on the body and safe for our team to make.
Our products are simple and they are great. From the cannabis oils, we use to the packaging and the varieties of our products. Finally, and best of all, our edibles are damn delicious! In other words, if we wouldn’t want to eat them, we aren’t going to sell them to anyone else. We NEVER cut our concentrates with anything – period! EVER! We use top-of-the-line C-Cell hardware – always. We ensure quality and purity.
For Adult Use Only
OMG THC products are intended for use by and available to adults 21+ and over. Keep our products out of reach of children and pets. Furthermore, be smart about handling and use, and dosage. Be Vigilant. Keep yourself in check. Finally, enjoy our products responsibly and keep everyone safe.
As always, feel free to Contact OMG THC with any questions or comments you might have. We’re here for you and we’re responsive to your needs. If you’d like to locate OMG THC products, check out our dispensaries list. You can also find out more about OMG THC on Leafly.
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