Marijuana vs. Tobacco Smoking

Marijuana vs. Tobacco Smoking

The effects of smoking marijuana on the lungs and other systems of the body is the hot topic of discussions, while the dangers of tobacco use are not disputed by any credible medical association. Tobacco smoke is linked with lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. More surprisingly, smoking is also linked to higher instances of bladder cancer, liver cancer, and pancreatic cancer along with a host of other chronic lung illnesses, according to the American Heart Association. Marijuana use, while controversial, has not been linked with these negative outcomes. Users of both marijuana and tobacco cigarettes would be wise to ditch the cigarettes from a health perspective, since the best vapes eliminate most, but not all, risks associated with both. Our comparison is here to help people make more educated discussions.

Table of contents:

1. Dangers of Tobacco Use vs Marijuana
2. Health Effects of Smoking Tobacco
3. Health Effects of Smoking Marijuana
4. Does Smoking Weed Cause Cancer?
5. Effects to be discovered

Dangers of Tobacco Use vs Marijuana

Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemicals, most of which are added by the tobacco industry. Of the chemicals, hundreds are known to cause cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Marijuana smoke does contain some chemicals caused as byproducts of heating the cannabis, papers, or other smoking-related accessories, which is not the case when using a vaporizer, which eliminates combustion, and therefore, all these chemicals. In studies, however, users of marijuana were not as likely to succumb to the negative health complications that tobacco users face.

This is due in part to marijuana being safer, in general, in terms of cancer and lung health, and also due to the fact that smokers who use marijuana in lieu of tobacco typically do not smoke nearly as much on a day to day basis. While a tobacco smoker may smoke up to 20, 40, or even more cigarettes per day, marijuana users typically smoke no more than once or twice a day for recreational users. Those who smoke due to medical concerns and pain management may smoke more often, but for both medicinal and recreational users, smoking an entire cigarette joint at once is not common practice due to the “high” users feel when consuming.

Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemicals, most of which are added by the tobacco industry. Of the chemicals, hundreds are known to cause cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Marijuana smoke does contain some chemicals caused as byproducts of heating the cannabis, papers, or other smoking-related accessories, which is not the case when using a vaporizer, which eliminates combustion, and therefore, all these chemicals. In studies, however, users of marijuana were not as likely to succumb to the negative health complications that tobacco users face.

This is due in part to marijuana being safer, in general, in terms of cancer and lung health, and also due to the fact that smokers who use marijuana in lieu of tobacco typically do not smoke nearly as much on a day to day basis. While a tobacco smoker may smoke up to 20, 40, or even more cigarettes per day, marijuana users typically smoke no more than once or twice a day for recreational users. Those who smoke due to medical concerns and pain management may smoke more often, but for both medicinal and recreational users, smoking an entire cigarette joint at once is not common practice due to the “high” users feel when consuming.

Health Effects of Smoking Tobacco

Tobacco use has been shown to cause lung cancer. It is the primary cause of lung cancers, with well over 80% of all lung cancers being linked to tobacco use. Because tobacco smoke reduces blood oxygen levels and actually changes the structures of the lungs and other tissues, it has also been shown to cause cardiovascular disease, stroke, COPD/emphysema, cancers of many systems of the body, glaucoma, asthmas, allergies, and SIDS. Other health complications may also occur.

Why Cigarettes Make you Feel Tired?

tired man smokes
Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Smoking is known to give a boost of clarity, energy, and calmness. This is the result of nicotine, a stimulant found naturally in tobacco products. Nicotine enters the bloodstream quickly and affects brain chemicals, causing a boost in energy levels and a reduction in stress. While this sounds like a positive in favor of smoking, the effects of nicotine are short-lived.

Levels crash very quickly, and the smoker begins to feel jittery, agitated and on edge. Further, energy and mood levels begin to decline below pre-smoking levels. That means the smoker now has to light up just to feel “normal,” giving the false sense of an energy boost, when in fact, smoking lowers energy levels and “feel good” hormones over time. Further smoking only (temporarily) helps thwart these effects, according to Livestrong.

Smoking has a negative effect on energy levels in other ways as well. Tobacco users suffer from a range of health complications, many of which can take a serious toll on energy levels. For instance, smokers have a lowered lung capacity than that of non-smokers. Less oxygen in the lungs means less oxygen to the brain, muscles, and other bodily systems. Over time, this can easily lead to fatigue and reduced respiratory function.

As the smoker continues, tobacco products continue to wreak havoc on bodily tissues and systems. All of this eventually erodes energy and overall well-being.
Scientifically approved that smoking:

Tobacco use has been shown to cause lung cancer. It is the primary cause of lung cancers, with well over 80% of all lung cancers being linked to tobacco use. Because tobacco smoke reduces blood oxygen levels and actually changes the structures of the lungs and other tissues, it has also been shown to cause cardiovascular disease, stroke, COPD/emphysema, cancers of many systems of the body, glaucoma, asthmas, allergies, and SIDS. Other health complications may also occur.

Why Cigarettes Make you Feel Tired?

tired man smokes
Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Smoking is known to give a boost of clarity, energy, and calmness. This is the result of nicotine, a stimulant found naturally in tobacco products. Nicotine enters the bloodstream quickly and affects brain chemicals, causing a boost in energy levels and a reduction in stress. While this sounds like a positive in favor of smoking, the effects of nicotine are short-lived.

Levels crash very quickly, and the smoker begins to feel jittery, agitated and on edge. Further, energy and mood levels begin to decline below pre-smoking levels. That means the smoker now has to light up just to feel “normal,” giving the false sense of an energy boost, when in fact, smoking lowers energy levels and “feel good” hormones over time. Further smoking only (temporarily) helps thwart these effects, according to Livestrong.

Smoking has a negative effect on energy levels in other ways as well. Tobacco users suffer from a range of health complications, many of which can take a serious toll on energy levels. For instance, smokers have a lowered lung capacity than that of non-smokers. Less oxygen in the lungs means less oxygen to the brain, muscles, and other bodily systems. Over time, this can easily lead to fatigue and reduced respiratory function.

As the smoker continues, tobacco products continue to wreak havoc on bodily tissues and systems. All of this eventually erodes energy and overall well-being.
Scientifically approved that smoking:

Health Effects of Smoking Marijuana

effects of marijuana smoking
patronestaff/Shutterstock

Marijuana use has been studied to determine whether smoking leads to the same health effects as tobacco use. Although smoke of any type is not good for the lungs and may lead to irritation and trouble breathing over time, marijuana smokers do not seem to be at the same risk of health complications as tobacco users.

That said, a lowered risk of health problems does not mean there is NO risk. Smokers of marijuana are still exposed to tar, smoke, and other carcinogens during each puff. While using weed vapes people avoid any tar or burn effect due to a gentle heating in oven instead of burning method.Additionally, marijuana smokers are more likely to breathe more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco users, which increases their tar exposure, according to The American Lung Association.

There are some other concerns about using marijuana, however. For instance, some studies have shown that frequent use may have negative effects on the brain and lower IQ over time. Even for occasional users, marijuana does cause disorientation, clouded thinking, slow reaction times, and other potentially negative symptoms related to the “high” marijuana is known for. Some experience depressive episodes after use, as well. Although the feelings associated with marijuana smoking are pleasurable for most, users should not operate vehicles while under the influence.

Additionally, the recreational use of marijuana is illegal in most states. Medicinal marijuana is permitted in some states with a doctor’s prescription.

effects of marijuana smoking
patronestaff/Shutterstock

Marijuana use has been studied to determine whether smoking leads to the same health effects as tobacco use. Although smoke of any type is not good for the lungs and may lead to irritation and trouble breathing over time, marijuana smokers do not seem to be at the same risk of health complications as tobacco users.

That said, a lowered risk of health problems does not mean there is NO risk. Smokers of marijuana are still exposed to tar, smoke, and other carcinogens during each puff. While using weed vapes people avoid any tar or burn effect due to a gentle heating in oven instead of burning method.Additionally, marijuana smokers are more likely to breathe more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco users, which increases their tar exposure, according to The American Lung Association.

There are some other concerns about using marijuana, however. For instance, some studies have shown that frequent use may have negative effects on the brain and lower IQ over time. Even for occasional users, marijuana does cause disorientation, clouded thinking, slow reaction times, and other potentially negative symptoms related to the “high” marijuana is known for. Some experience depressive episodes after use, as well. Although the feelings associated with marijuana smoking are pleasurable for most, users should not operate vehicles while under the influence.

Additionally, the recreational use of marijuana is illegal in most states. Medicinal marijuana is permitted in some states with a doctor’s prescription.

Does Smoking Weed Cause Cancer?

There have been reports that cannabis can actually cure cancer. These are largely unsubstantiated, and they are mostly promoted by flimsy research and results that cannot be replicated. While a cure for any kind of cancer would be astounding, there is no proof that weed is that cure. What should be asked about marijuana is whether it causes cancer in the first place.

We already know that cigarettes cause cancer, and marijuana is consumed in a similar way. It may be safe to assume many of the same effects would be taking place. But there are different ingredients in marijuana than in tobacco. That makes the negative outcomes different as well.

They do share some common cancer-causing agents, however. The most notable one of these is benzpyrene. This is a carcinogen that causes cancer in people who have a certain genetic marker. Those who don’t have the marker don’t need to worry about experiencing cancer by consuming benzpyrene, so it won’t cause cancer in everyone.

There have been reports that cannabis can actually cure cancer. These are largely unsubstantiated, and they are mostly promoted by flimsy research and results that cannot be replicated. While a cure for any kind of cancer would be astounding, there is no proof that weed is that cure. What should be asked about marijuana is whether it causes cancer in the first place.

We already know that cigarettes cause cancer, and marijuana is consumed in a similar way. It may be safe to assume many of the same effects would be taking place. But there are different ingredients in marijuana than in tobacco. That makes the negative outcomes different as well.

They do share some common cancer-causing agents, however. The most notable one of these is benzpyrene. This is a carcinogen that causes cancer in people who have a certain genetic marker. Those who don’t have the marker don’t need to worry about experiencing cancer by consuming benzpyrene, so it won’t cause cancer in everyone.

Effects to be discovered

Weed also exacerbates the kind of damage that alcohol and tobacco have on the lungs and liver. It greatly increases the risk of cancer in people who smoke or drink. While It may not be able to cause cancer on its own in many cases, it certainly can speed the process along.

There is no evidence to show that marijuana will cause cancer in everybody who tries it. Some studies have shown that it would, while others contradict that. The information is too sparse and inconclusive to say for certain if weed is the cause of cancer for those who are using it. Further research needs to be done, but as it stands right now, the majority scientific opinion is that there is an increased risk for cancer with marijuana involved.

Weed also exacerbates the kind of damage that alcohol and tobacco have on the lungs and liver. It greatly increases the risk of cancer in people who smoke or drink. While It may not be able to cause cancer on its own in many cases, it certainly can speed the process along.

There is no evidence to show that marijuana will cause cancer in everybody who tries it. Some studies have shown that it would, while others contradict that. The information is too sparse and inconclusive to say for certain if weed is the cause of cancer for those who are using it. Further research needs to be done, but as it stands right now, the majority scientific opinion is that there is an increased risk for cancer with marijuana involved.

Published: May 28, 2015 Updated: November 19, 2020


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