If tobacco has an influence in increasing the risk of lung cancer, cannabis would be even more dangerous according to a study.
Cannabis may be prescribed for therapeutic purposes to alleviate pain related to treatment or illness. But he is above all used recreationally. Indeed, it contains THC which causes a form of euphoria. While used by some to calm anxiety or alleviate sleep disturbances, cannabis is still harmful.
Considered as a disruptor in the same way as ketamine for example, it strongly alters physical abilities. A study had shown that smoking it might impact our driving reflexes several hours following ingestion. But today another harmful effect of this plant has come to light.
Researchers have recently studied the risk factors that can lead to the development of lung cancer. However, their findings suggest that smoking cannabis would increase these risks of cancer. A brief excerpt from this study is available online at this address.
An early diagnosis found in cannabis smokers
The study in question was conducted in France on a panel of nearly 9,000 patients. All had in common the diagnosis of lung cancer. They might be smokers or non-smokers. First, the researchers collected information on the habits of the patients. Then they compared this data with the average age of cancer diagnosis.
They noticed thata certain percentage of the volunteers used both tobacco and cannabis. However, the study does not specify whether this consumption was occasional, more or less important than that of conventional tobacco. But the study reveals that in cannabis smokers, the diagnosis of the disease occurred earlier.
According to the data provided, lung cancer was diagnosed at age 53 in cannabis smokers. However, the average age of diagnosis increased to 65 years in the event of tobacco consumption only. Finally, the study specifies that among non-smokers, the average age of diagnosis is 72 years.
Is the absence of a filter on the joints involved in this increase in the risk of cancer?
Currently, researchers fail to explain why cancer risks are greater in cannabis smokers. But one theory was put forward by the authors of the study: the impact of the filter.
On a classic cigarette, smokers put the filter in their mouth. The latter might act as a barrier and reduce the impact of tobacco on the lungs. Gold, there is no filter on a joint. Cannabis might therefore be more easily ingested by the body and attack the lungs.
Nevertheless, additional tests and studies will confirm or not this hypothesis.
