The Full Story
Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. While many states have legalized the medical and/or recreational use of cannabis, possession, sale, and use of the drug remains illegal on a federal level. Cannabis can be smoked, vaped, or consumed through edible formulations or tinctures.
Many people use cannabis by smoking it. Devices used to smoke cannabis, including rolling papers and bongs, can be purchased in either brick-and-mortar or online retailers. Instructions available online detail how to make a do-it-yourself smoking pipe using a soda can.
While these methods represent different ways of smoking cannabis, they all result in users being exposed to the same drug. The technique of smoking cannabis is much different than that of smoking tobacco. Compared with smoking tobacco, cannabis smoking involves larger inhaled volumes, longer breath-holding, and a 40% increase in the amount of smoke inhaled. As a result, the user is exposed to more cannabis, compared with tobacco smoking, and is at a greater risk of unwanted or adverse health effects. Smoking cannabis may cause lung damage and mental health disorders. Children and unborn fetuses are likely more susceptible to the dangerous effects of cannabis smoke, so it’s recommended that pregnant women, and women trying to become pregnant, avoid use of cannabis products. In addition, the long-term health effects of chronic cannabis use are not entirely known.
Besides the health effects described above, there are other concerns associated with smoking cannabis, especially for people who use soda cans to smoke the drug. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, there were numerous reports of individuals who developed a syndrome characterized by difficulty walking, speech problems, abnormal muscle movements, and other unexpected symptoms after using heroin. These individuals had used heroin by “chasing the dragon” or inhaling the vapors of heroin that had been heated on aluminum foil. The cause of this syndrome, called “heroin-induced leukoencephalopathy”, remains unknown, but some researchers believe that it might have been caused by the inhalation of toxic byproducts of aluminum heating. Since soda cans are made from aluminum, the process of heating soda cans to smoke cannabis may result in increased inhalation of aluminum, possibly increasing the risk of leukoencephalopathy in people who use soda cans to smoke cannabis.
Rolling papers are also commonly used to smoke cannabis. Rolling papers may contain potentially poisonous heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. In one study from 2019, bleached, fast-burning, and flavored rolling papers had the highest levels of heavy metal contamination. Since inhalation of heavy metals can cause significant health effects, use caution when using rolling papers, especially those products that are bleached, fast-burning, or flavored.
A water pipe, or bong, may also be used to smoke cannabis. Water pipes are used to inhale cannabis that has been heated and then passed through water to filter and cool it. Bongs can be constructed from glass or plastic materials. But heating plastic, such as through use of a water pipe, can result in the release BPA, phthalates, and other potentially dangerous components. BPA and phthalates are believed to be endocrine disruptors and exposure to these compounds may alter fertility. There is also some evidence that cannabis smoking through plastic bongs may increase the risk of severe lung injury due to inhalation of plastic byproducts. While the safest approach is to avoid using cannabis, glass bongs may be a safer alternative to plastic bongs.
If someone experiences unwanted or unexpected side effects after using cannabis products, contact Poison Control for expert advice. Get an immediate personalized recommendation onlineor call 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD
Medical Toxicologist
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- Do not use cannabis products if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
- Keep all cannabis products away from children.
- Do not drive or operate machinery after using cannabis.
This Really Happened
A 19-year-old man, who smoked cannabis 10 times a day using a plastic bong, developed shortness of breath and a cough with bloody sputum. He was admitted to a hospital for further testing. A chest CT scan and other testing showed multiple abnormalities, and he and was diagnosed with a serious condition called alveolar hemorrhage. He was treated with steroids and oxygen, and his condition improved. He stopped using bongs to smoke cannabis. Two months later, he had no further symptoms and a repeat chest scan was normal.For More Information
Demystifying the Bong, One Myth at a Time (Healthline)
Marijuana (United States Drug Enforcement Administration)
What We Know About Marijuana (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
References
Tashkin DP. Pulmonary complications of smoked substance abuse. West J Med. 1990 May;152(5):525-30.
Tormoehlen LM. Toxic leukoencephalopathies. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2013 Jun;36(2):277-92.
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- Do not use cannabis products if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
- Keep all cannabis products away from children.
- Do not drive or operate machinery after using cannabis.
This Really Happened
A 19-year-old man, who smoked cannabis 10 times a day using a plastic bong, developed shortness of breath and a cough with bloody sputum. He was admitted to a hospital for further testing. A chest CT scan and other testing showed multiple abnormalities, and he and was diagnosed with a serious condition called alveolar hemorrhage. He was treated with steroids and oxygen, and his condition improved. He stopped using bongs to smoke cannabis. Two months later, he had no further symptoms and a repeat chest scan was normal.FAQs
Is a joint The safest way to smoke? ›
Cannabis smoke contains tar and toxins. The safest choice is to use a vaporizer—it delivers the THC in mist form instead of smoke. But they cost a lot of money—$100-700. The second best choice is to smoke it in the form of a joint.
Is a bong a better high than a blunt? ›If you've ever sat in a debate surrounding bong vs. blunts, you know that avid smokers are fans of these two options. After all, they provide a more potent hit, leading to better highs. However, when it comes to clean hits, bongs still trumps blunts because there aren't any tobacco products burning alongside the weed.
Can smoking bongs damage lungs? ›In conclusion, marijuana smoking coupled with usage of bong results in a variety of lung disorders, including potential life‐threatening lung infection.
What is the healthiest type of smoking? ›There is no safe smoking option — tobacco is always harmful. Light, low-tar and filtered cigarettes aren't any safer — people usually smoke them more deeply or smoke more of them. The only way to reduce harm is to quit smoking.
What is bong lung? ›Marijuana (cannabis or bong) lung refers to the presence of large apical bullae in patients who regularly smoke marijuana. A definite causative link between smoking marijuana and bullous lung disease has not been established, and the association may just be coincidental.
What's better a joint or bowl? ›If time is less of a factor, a joint smokes way longer than a bowl. A joint can give you a longer burn, giving you longer lasting enjoyment and the perfect hit. Joints are also a little more fun to share – at least we think so.
What are the benefits of bong? ›While bongs don't eliminate all carcinogenic potential, they can reduce toxins and harmful byproducts, which will enter your lungs through powerful filtration. The water also filters tar out, keeping tar and ash in the bong water, removing any potential of getting chunks of tar-filled ash in your mouth.
Which is better vaping or bong? ›When you're hitting a bong, you'll generally get a stronger high than when using a vape pen. You can pack more cannabis into your bong, you can inhale more smoke at once, and bong smoke—in general—is one of the most powerful concentrations of THC available.
Is it possible to clean lungs after smoking? ›Your lungs are self-cleaning, which means they will gradually heal and regenerate on their own after you quit smoking. However, there are certain lifestyle behaviors you can practice to try and accelerate the rate at which your lungs heal.
Does bong resin build up in your lungs? ›You know the resin that builds up in your favorite bong after multiple uses before cleaning? Yea, that same resin builds up on your lungs if you inhale weed without a MouthPeace.
What are the signs of bong lung? ›
What symptoms may indicate that marijuana is affecting your lungs? Marijuana smoke causes coughing, increased sputum or phlegm, wheezing, shortness of breath and inflammation of lung tissue. People who stop smoking often find their symptoms improve and sometimes go away completely.
What is worse than smoking? ›Obesity Is Linked to Higher Rates of Chronic Conditions Than Are Smoking, Drinking, or Poverty.
What can I use instead of smoking? ›- Prescription nicotine in a nasal spray or inhaler.
- Nicotine patches, gum and lozenges you can buy without a prescription.
- Prescription non-nicotine stop-smoking drugs such as bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, others) and varenicline.
1: Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it's still not safe. E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic.
What are the risks of a bong? ›Bongs can be constructed from glass or plastic materials. But heating plastic, such as through use of a water pipe, can result in the release BPA, phthalates, and other potentially dangerous components. BPA and phthalates are believed to be endocrine disruptors and exposure to these compounds may alter fertility.
Is smoking a dirty bong unhealthy? ›If you smoke through a dirty bong, the chances are pretty great that you'll introduce the plant matter and caked-on resin to your system. The resin-coated bong is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and pathogens. These can lead to illnesses like strep throat and pneumonia.
What are the side effects of a dirty bong? ›In your bong, that biofilm is mixed with all of the resin and plant matter that ends up in the water. This allows harmful pathogens like streptococcus, E. coli and black mildew to grow and flourish in your bong, which can cause respiratory issues like strep throat, pneumonia and emphysema.
Whats safer blunts or joints? ›What about joints and blunts? Well, both still involve inhaling smoke, so there's that. But if you had to choose the lesser of two evils, joints are probably the better option. This is because blunts are made with hollowed-out cigars, and cigars and their wrappers are highly toxic.
What are the cons of smoking joints? ›Smoking marijuana regularly (a joint a day) can damage the cells in the bronchial passages which protect the body against inhaled microorganisms and decrease the ability of the immune cells in the lungs to fight off fungi, bacteria, and tumor cells.
Are joints worse than CIG? ›Smoking a single marijuana joint is equivalent to smoking 2.5 to 5 cigarettes in terms of damage to the lungs, largely due to differences in how pot and cigarette users smoke.
Why is it called a spliff? ›
Etymology. From Jamaican Creole, possibly a blend of split, referring to the ready-made wrap + whiff, referring to the smell of the smoke.
What is the healthiest blunt? ›Some of the most popular options include rice paper and Hemp Blunt Wrap. Hemp Blunt Wrap is made from 100% natural hemp and is one of the thinnest papers on the market. It burns slowly and doesn't produce as much smoke, making it a healthier option. Rice paper is also a popular option for rolling blunts.
Is a pre roll the same as a joint? ›Pre-rolls are ready-made joints, getting rid of the need to purchase each element individually. On the surface, it may seem like all pre-rolls are made the same, but in reality, there are a number of details and decisions that go into their creation.
How many joints is healthy to smoke a day? ›A study published in 2012 in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) had some good news for people who smoke marijuana: smoking at a rate of one joint a day for as long as seven years doesn't seem to affect lung function adversely.
Is smoking joints better than bowls? ›If time is less of a factor, a joint smokes way longer than a bowl. A joint can give you a longer burn, giving you longer lasting enjoyment and the perfect hit.
Does smoking weaken joints? ›Smoking can increase your risk of developing bone and joint conditions, and can also have an impact on your recovery from a musculoskeletal injury or surgery.
How many beers equal a joint? ›Honestly, SMOKE ONE JOINT AND DRINK FIVE BEERS - best of both worlds, protect your brain before you put toxins in there.
Is it better to smoke or VAPE? ›1: Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it's still not safe. E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic.
How do you smoke a good joint? ›Gently place the dry part of your lips on the paper or filter and slowly suck air through a small opening of your mouth. This gentle suction will draw the flame up the joint, directing the smoke into your mouth. Draw in a moderate amount of smoke from the joint into your mouth before you inhale into the lungs.
How do you put out a joint without ruining it? ›Put out your joint by stubbing it out, lightly grazing it, or flicking off the cherry. To stub out your joint, briefly press the lit end of the joint to a hard, flat surface. Continue briefly pressing the joint to the surface until the cherry is extinguished.
How do you roll tight? ›
The secret to getting a tight and cylindrical joint is to grab the flower-filled paper by both ends, pinch the tops of the paper with your thumbs and forefingers, and rub your fingers together in an up-and-down motion. By doing so, you effectively push the flower into a tight little log the same width as the filter.