The long-term health effects of vaping cannabis are not very well known. Due to the varying information available discussing the pros and cons of marijuana use in general, it can be difficult to definitively conclude whether or not marijuana is bad for you. Currently, marijuana is spoken as if it is relatively harmless, however, there has been a link drawn between vaping THC and developing serious lung diseases and heart problems.
So, is vaping cannabis bad? Sifting through the research can be frustrating and, oftentimes, leave you more confused than you were, to begin with. This blog will condense the confirmed pros and cons of vaping cannabis for you to help you answer this question without having to do the research yourself.
Benefits of Vaping Cannabis
Marijuana use for both recreational and medicinal purposes has increased in the past few years. This increase in popularity has caused many to view marijuana use, particularly cannabis vapes, as fairly harmless. There are many perceived benefits of vaping cannabis as opposed to eating, drinking, or smoking. Some of these benefits include:
Less smell: Cannabis has a strong odor that some people find unpleasant. Although vapes are not odorless, they do significantly minimize the smell of the weed.
Wastes less cannabis: As compared to joints and pipes, vapes require less cannabis to achieve its desired effects. Moreover, doses are more potent than that of joints and pipes.
Easy to use: Vapes are less messy and require much fewer steps to use.
Affordability: The original cost of purchasing a vape can be more expensive, however, the cannabis concentrates last much longer than when the herb is combusted (as it is in joints and pipes).
No secondhand smoke: Vape products reduce the amount of carcinogens that others around you are exposed to.
Consistent doses: The THC concentrations are often more consistent when vaping and the effects are almost instant (unlike with edibles).
Cleaner hit: Vapes offer a more potent and purer hit than that offered by joints and pipes.
More accessible: Vapes can be used in more places than joints and pipes. You can often use vapes in parks, public spaces, in your home, and other places where smoking a joint is not allowed.
Cons of Vaping Cannabis
There are many cons associated with vaping cannabis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 450 people have developed illnesses after using any form of e-cigarettes. Moreover, a paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirmed that many of these sick people vaped THC. Studies like this shatter many people’s belief that marijuana use is largely safe to use.
In addition to this study, evidence has shown the use of cannabis vapes can detrimentally impact both the heart and lungs. Many doctors have warned against marijuana use due to it increasing people’s heart rate and blood pressure. This can result in heart irregularities, such as irregular rhythms. The use of cannabis vapes also can result in lung disease. In 2019, 82% of people hospitalized due to vape-induced lung problems reported using a THC-containing vape.
It is also important to acknowledge that there are a lot of unknown risks associated with vaping cannabis. As these products are still fairly new, the medical community is still investigating the long-term impact that vaping cannabis can have on your health.
The Bottom Line: Is Vaping Cannabis Bad?
So, is vaping cannabis actually bad for you? When comparing the pros and cons of vaping cannabis, it is very clear that the pros are very much outweighed by the cons. We can conclude that the inhalation of any substance is generally not good for you. Further, the lack of confirmed risks associated with vaping cannabis makes the practice all the scarier. The safest option, honestly, is just to avoid vaping cannabis altogether. Yes, it smells better and is easier to use, but it can also potentially cause severe long-term negative health effects and death.
Stop Vaping at NuView Treatment Center
If you currently are vaping cannabis and want some assistance quitting, NuView Treatment Center can help you. At NuView Treatment Center, located in West Los Angeles, you can receive the support you need to stop your cannabis use. NuView offers outpatient addiction treatment that is designed to give you the tools you need to recover from both dependence and addiction. The staff is trained to develop individualized treatment plans for each client and assist with addressing underlying conditions (including mental health disorders) that may be motivating your drug or alcohol use. Through this, you will develop new, healthy coping mechanisms and plans for dealing with possible triggers. The compassion evidence-based therapeutic modalities used at NuView Treatment Center helps you achieve physical sobriety and offers you the tools to stay sober long-term.
