Most people who use cannabis in the U.S report using the combusted form of the substance. Vaping marijuana has become popular among American young adults and teens. In part, this shift has been attributed to the delusion that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking.
Vaping marijuana exposes the user to just a few of the toxic compounds associated with weed smoking. However, several risks are associated with cannabis vaping, including exposing your body to carcinogens and harmful ingredients, increasing the odds of lung damage.
For our Canadian readers, feel free to buy all your vaping tools and accessories from dispensaries available in the country. You can read reviews like The Chronfather online to get a better idea of what each marijuana store offers. This will give you a better idea on the best pricing and bud quality.
Why Many People Think Vaping Cannabis is Safer
Like tobacco, smoking marijuana is harmful to your health. While smoking, you inhale hot smoke particles that irritate sensitive tissues in your lungs. This is typically why smokers are more likely to suffer from chronic respiratory conditions such as bronchitis than non-smokers.
Burning marijuana leaves also causes chemical reactions that might result in inhaling cancer-causing toxic compounds.
Vaporizers, on the other hand, do not burn the substance. The gadget operates by heating the marijuana-infused liquid content until it is hot enough to produce an aerosol. Compared to the hot smoke inhaled when smoking weed, aerosols from vaporizers often feel easier on the lungs. This might explain why there are thousands of multi-buy vape deals in the market. Cannabis smokers with breathing conditions can even recover part of their lung function after switching to vaping.
What Are the Chances of Inhaling Carcinogens?
Although vaping does not seem as harmful as smoking, it is not entirely harmless. Besides the risks associated with THC intake, vaping can hurt the user’s health in several ways, including causing cancer. Some of the ingredients used are omitted from the list of ingredients, and users cannot tell what is contained in the vaping fluid. With thousands of vaping products in the market, it is almost impossible to tell what is in any specific pod or device.
Cancer-causing Carcinogens
When vaping marijuana, you inhale more than the weed itself. Vape fluid contains a wide range of ingredients to help suspend CBD and THC to create quality aerosols. Others have synthetic flavors, which can irritate sensitive lung tissues. This increases the chances of inhaling Carcinogenic Substances. Some of the ingredients used to support the suspension of the cannabinoids can release potentially harmful and cancer-causing compounds when heated.
2019 EVALI Cases
There were many cases of lung conditions linked to vaping across the United States in 2019. Over 2,290 of the EVALI cases recorded dubbed vaping or e-cigarette products as the causes of lung injury. Forty-seven people died, and everyone admitted to the hospital claimed to have had a history of vaping. Most reported having used THC-spiked vaping products.
These cases were not easy to spot, partly because they appeared a lot like other respiratory problems, including flu. EVALI symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, chills, abdominal pain, fever, weight loss, and gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
Most of the reported cases were linked to illegal products with high THC levels. The majority of these products are purchased from illicit online dealers and informal sources. There is still no conclusive research study stating the specific ingredient or compound responsible for causing EVALI.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that people refrain from using THC-potent vaping products, particularly those purchased off the streets.
Other Harmful Substances That Users Might Inhale when Vaping Cannabis
Heavy Metals – The vape pen can cause negligible amounts of heavy metals to get into the aerosol you inhale. The coils used to heat the vaping fluid are made from a wide range of metals, and they can weaken and break down over time.
Ultrafine Particulates – Since vaporizers do not burn cannabis, they do not produce the smoke debris found in weed burning. However, studies show that vaping can produce extremely tiny particles that settle deep into the user’s lung, leading to irritation.
Flavors – Added flavors are popular with vaping devices, particularly among young adults and teens. Some of the ingredients used to flavor vaping fluids, such as diacetyl, can cause severe lung problems. The US Food and Drug Administration banned the production and sale of all flavored vaping products with tobacco and menthol exclusion.
The FDA is reviewing vaping companies. This administrative authority has been sending warning letters to manufacturers who have been marketing their products with false and misleading information about the ingredients. Even so, cannabis vape users can still purchase unregulated vape products online or make DIY versions at home – neither of which is guaranteed to be safe.
High THC Doses
In a study conducted in 2018, it was found that vaping marijuana resulted in users having higher THC levels in their blood and more psychoactive effects compared to users who smoked weed traditionally.
Conclusion
From the above findings, it is evident that although many people think vaping cannabis is safer, it has its share of side effects. Vaping does not lower the chances of inhaling carcinogens. As a matter of fact, vaping fluids might have ingredients that increase the risk.
