Young adults who vape cannabis are more likely to experience cough, bronchitis and wheezing, study finds

Vaping marijuana has become the delivery methodology of choice and in some states its use has risen among teens by 300%.  Very little is known about vaping marijuana.  The affects of inhaling a drug that is hundreds of times stronger than the drug from the 70s is still being studied.  Some new research is now just coming out that suggests that vaping marijuana may be more harmful than vaping nicotine.

A new study asked the question "Are nicotine and cannabis vaping associated with shortness of breath, wheeze, and bronchitic symptoms in young adults?" And their answer is "In this cross-sectional study of 2553 young adults, cannabis vaping at any level was associated with increased odds of bronchitic symptoms, and cannabis vaping 3 or more times in the last month was associated with increased odds of wheeze, even after simultaneously adjusting for nicotine vaping, cigarette smoking, and combustible cannabis use."

Here is you science/research lesson for today:

The increasing prevalence of nicotine and cannabis vaping (ie, inhalation of aerosolized nicotine or cannabis containing e-liquids or oils) among youth and young adults is a serious public health concern. E-liquid aerosols contain many known respiratory toxicants, including volatile carbonyls (e.g., aldehydes), furans, and metals, that likely adversely affect lung health with prolonged exposure. Because of the lack of regulation for the manufacture of nicotine and cannabis vaping devices, many e-liquids contain flavorings and other additives that may adversely affect respiratory health. For example, vitamin E acetate has been identified as an additive in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing e-liquids and played a role in the 2019 outbreak of e-cigarette and vaping-associated lung injury.

At Gobi we are very concerned about adolescent use of marijuana.  The majority of parents seeking help are worried about their teens use of pot.  We try to provide a process and support for teens and their parents to learn to communicate about substance use.  Parents have an incredible influence over their teen’s decisions.  We hope that the Gobi program will give teens a chance to think about their future and what roll substances play in that picture.