First off, nicotine is a known carcinogen, but cannabis is not nicotine. Theoretically, the heat from burning cannabis can create carcinogenic molecules from its raw ingredients. However, we don't observe the high cancer rates in cannabis smokers that we would expect if smoking cannabis were a common cause of cancer.
What does this mean? It could indicate that while cannabis might cause cancer, it also treats it quickly enough to result in no increased cancer rates. Alternatively, the cancer risk from cannabis smoke might be comparable to that of city air pollution.
Scientific literature has consistently found that cannabis smoke can cause bronchitis, which is why this is the most commonly discussed negative effect rather than cancer. Interestingly, some recent studies show that cannabis smoke can cause hyperinflation of the lungs. Compounds within cannabis can open up the lungs, which can be beneficial in certain circumstances but problematic in excess or for people predisposed to flexible cartilage.
Several good studies have compared various groups: those who smoke only cannabis, those who smoke cannabis and nicotine, those who smoke only nicotine, and those who don't smoke at all. The results paint a complex picture with no clear or consistent direction regarding risks.
Most people who smoke cannabis love their smoke because it is fast-acting, predictable, and reliable. Given the unclear risks, the reliable pleasure from smoking cannabis, and the desire to be healthy, what should we do?
Ultimately, this decision needs to be individualized. Knowing your personal medical risks and concerns may require medical expertise to guide you on the best path. This is the true specialty of medical cannabis.
Great article, Dr. Caplan, I was just reading some of the NIH studies and trying to make my own library link set. I appreciate the length and depth of your articles here. Thank you.
<<CBD induced HUVEC cytostasis without inducing apoptosis, inhibited HUVEC migration, invasion and sprouting in vitro, and angiogenesis in vivo in Matrigel sponges. These effects were associated with the down-modulation of several angiogenesis-related molecules.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
This study reveals that CBD inhibits angiogenesis by multiple mechanisms. Its dual effect on both tumour and endothelial cells supports the hypothesis that CBD has potential as an effective agent in cancer therapy.>>
What about smoking cannabis. Can smoking weed cause cancer?
Thanks for the question!
First off, nicotine is a known carcinogen, but cannabis is not nicotine. Theoretically, the heat from burning cannabis can create carcinogenic molecules from its raw ingredients. However, we don't observe the high cancer rates in cannabis smokers that we would expect if smoking cannabis were a common cause of cancer.
What does this mean? It could indicate that while cannabis might cause cancer, it also treats it quickly enough to result in no increased cancer rates. Alternatively, the cancer risk from cannabis smoke might be comparable to that of city air pollution.
Scientific literature has consistently found that cannabis smoke can cause bronchitis, which is why this is the most commonly discussed negative effect rather than cancer. Interestingly, some recent studies show that cannabis smoke can cause hyperinflation of the lungs. Compounds within cannabis can open up the lungs, which can be beneficial in certain circumstances but problematic in excess or for people predisposed to flexible cartilage.
Several good studies have compared various groups: those who smoke only cannabis, those who smoke cannabis and nicotine, those who smoke only nicotine, and those who don't smoke at all. The results paint a complex picture with no clear or consistent direction regarding risks.
Most people who smoke cannabis love their smoke because it is fast-acting, predictable, and reliable. Given the unclear risks, the reliable pleasure from smoking cannabis, and the desire to be healthy, what should we do?
Ultimately, this decision needs to be individualized. Knowing your personal medical risks and concerns may require medical expertise to guide you on the best path. This is the true specialty of medical cannabis.
Great article, Dr. Caplan, I was just reading some of the NIH studies and trying to make my own library link set. I appreciate the length and depth of your articles here. Thank you.
<<CBD induced HUVEC cytostasis without inducing apoptosis, inhibited HUVEC migration, invasion and sprouting in vitro, and angiogenesis in vivo in Matrigel sponges. These effects were associated with the down-modulation of several angiogenesis-related molecules.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
This study reveals that CBD inhibits angiogenesis by multiple mechanisms. Its dual effect on both tumour and endothelial cells supports the hypothesis that CBD has potential as an effective agent in cancer therapy.>>
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3504989/