NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Although both marijuana and tobacco smoke are packed with cancer-causing chemicals, other qualities of marijuana seem to keep it from promoting lung cancer, according to a new report.
The difference rests in the often opposing actions of the nicotine in tobacco and the active ingredient, THC, in marijuana, says Dr. Robert Melamede of the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs.
He reviewed the scientific evidence supporting this contention in a recent issue of Harm Reduction Journal.
Whereas nicotine has several effects that promote lung and other types of cancer, THC acts in ways that counter the cancer-causing chemicals in marijuana smoke, Melamede explained in an interview with Reuters Health.
"THC turns down the carcinogenic potential," he said.
For example, lab research indicates that nicotine activates a body enzyme that converts certain chemicals in both tobacco and marijuana smoke into cancer-promoting form. In contrast, studies in mice suggest that THC blocks this enzyme activity.
Another key difference, Melamede said, is in the immune system effects of tobacco and marijuana. Smoke sends irritants into the respiratory system that trigger an immune-regulated inflammatory response, which involves the generation of potentially cell-damaging substances called free radicals. These particles are believed to contribute to a range of diseases, including cancer.
But cannabinoids -- both those found in marijuana and the versions found naturally in the body -- have been shown to dial down this inflammatory response, Melamede explained.
Another difference between tobacco and marijuana smoking, he said, has to do with cells that line the respiratory tract. While these cells have receptors that act as docks for nicotine, similar receptors for THC and other cannabinoids have not been found.
Nicotine, Melamede said, appears to keep these cells from committing "suicide" when they are genetically damaged, by smoking, for instance. When such cells do not kill themselves off, they are free to progress into tumors.
THC, however, does not appear to act this way in the respiratory tract -- though, in the brain, where there are cannabinoid receptors, it may have the beneficial effect of protecting cells from death when they are damaged from an injury or stroke, according to Melamede.
All of this, he said, fits in with population studies that have failed to link marijuana smoking with a higher risk of lung cancer -- though there is evidence that pot users have more respiratory problems, such as chronic cough and frequent respiratory infections.
If marijuana does not promote lung cancer, that could factor into the ongoing debate over so-called medical marijuana. Melamede said he believes "marijuana has loads of medicinal value," for everything from multiple sclerosis, to the chronic pain of arthritis, to nausea caused by cancer treatment.
U.S. government officials, however, maintain that the evidence for medical marijuana is not there. Ten states allow people to use marijuana with a doctor's prescription, but the Supreme Court has ruled that federal law trumps state law.
SOURCE: Harm Reduction Journal, October 18, 2005.
_________________ Ringo: Wretched slugs, don't any of you have the guts to play for blood?
Doc: I'm your huckleberry.
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:46 pm Posts: 9617 Location: Medford, Oregon Gender: Male
I smoke two joints in the morning.
I smoke two joints at night.
I smoke two joints in the afternoon, it makes me feel alright
I smoke two joints in time of peace, and two in time of war
I smoke two joints before I smoke two joints,
And then I smoke two more
Daddy he once told me son you be hard workin’ man
And momma she once told me son you do the best you can
But, then one day I met a man who came to me and said
Hard work good, and hard work fine but first take care of head
_________________ Deep below the dunes I roved Past the rows, past the rows Beside the acacias freshly in bloom I sent men to their doom
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 5:58 am Posts: 4417 Location: a block from yoko Gender: Female
I just read an article from the BBC like last week that stated that potsmokers actually had lower instances in other cancers than lung cancer as well...
iiiiiinteresting.
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Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 12:14 am Posts: 8662 Location: IL
pjam81373 wrote:
Awesome news! I'm going to smoke even more now.
this is great news... now, i never have to quit... errr... until i have kids
i quit smoking cigarettes 39 days ago after smoking a pack a day for over 10 years... all i could think about was the fact that weed would end up getting me anyway.... BUT, now things are looking a bit brighter... thanks for the article...
i guess what i tell people can now actually hold some truth, "i smoke to get high, not to die"
One study a science does not make. Inhaling any burned organic matter is not good for you.
They didn't say pot wasn't bad for you. It said it didn't cause cancer and apparently there have been multiple studies concerning cancer and pot.
"All of this, he said, fits in with population studies that have failed to link marijuana smoking with a higher risk of lung cancer -- though there is evidence that pot users have more respiratory problems, such as chronic cough and frequent respiratory infections.
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 11:15 pm Posts: 25452 Location: Under my wing like Sanford & Son Gender: Male
I could have told you this, simpy from the fact that not even Bob Marley smoked upwards of 20 joints a day. People usually smoke small amounts of weed, and are usually sharing it when they do. No one shares cigarettes. And the supposed "fact" that one joint equals a pack of cigarettes is fucking ridiculous. I would vomit all over myself if I tried to smoke 20 cigarettes in a day, let alone the time it takes to smoke a single joint.
_________________ Now that god no longer exists, the desire for another world still remains.
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 1:38 am Posts: 5575 Location: Sydney, NSW
Serjical Strike wrote:
I smoke two joints in the morning. I smoke two joints at night. I smoke two joints in the afternoon, it makes me feel alright I smoke two joints in time of peace, and two in time of war I smoke two joints before I smoke two joints, And then I smoke two more
Daddy he once told me son you be hard workin’ man And momma she once told me son you do the best you can But, then one day I met a man who came to me and said Hard work good, and hard work fine but first take care of head
Don't forget to bring a towel...
_________________
Jammer91 wrote:
If Soundgarden is perfectly fine with playing together with Tad Doyle on vocals, why the fuck is he wasting his life promoting the single worst album of all time? Holy shit, he has to be the stupidest motherfucker on earth.
I could have told you this, simpy from the fact that not even Bob Marley smoked upwards of 20 joints a day. People usually smoke small amounts of weed, and are usually sharing it when they do. No one shares cigarettes. And the supposed "fact" that one joint equals a pack of cigarettes is fucking ridiculous. I would vomit all over myself if I tried to smoke 20 cigarettes in a day, let alone the time it takes to smoke a single joint.
It doesn't have anything to do with people smoking smaller quantities. Its b/c weed and tobacco have different chemicals that cause different reactions in the lungs.
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 11:15 pm Posts: 25452 Location: Under my wing like Sanford & Son Gender: Male
pjam81373 wrote:
OrpheusDescending wrote:
I could have told you this, simpy from the fact that not even Bob Marley smoked upwards of 20 joints a day. People usually smoke small amounts of weed, and are usually sharing it when they do. No one shares cigarettes. And the supposed "fact" that one joint equals a pack of cigarettes is fucking ridiculous. I would vomit all over myself if I tried to smoke 20 cigarettes in a day, let alone the time it takes to smoke a single joint.
It doesn't have anything to do with people smoking smaller quantities. Its b/c weed and tobacco have different chemicals that cause different reactions in the lungs.
I know, I read the article. What I'm saying is that a study like this isn't even necessary, because no one smokes two packs of joints a day. The first poster said "I find this interesting as I always assumed it would be not much different than smoking cigarettes." The two are already different in the way in which they are smoked and the quantities people consume, that was my point.
But still, it's good to see a victory for weed smokers everywhere.
_________________ Now that god no longer exists, the desire for another world still remains.
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 12:14 am Posts: 8662 Location: IL
pjam81373 wrote:
OrpheusDescending wrote:
I could have told you this, simpy from the fact that not even Bob Marley smoked upwards of 20 joints a day. People usually smoke small amounts of weed, and are usually sharing it when they do. No one shares cigarettes. And the supposed "fact" that one joint equals a pack of cigarettes is fucking ridiculous. I would vomit all over myself if I tried to smoke 20 cigarettes in a day, let alone the time it takes to smoke a single joint.
It doesn't have anything to do with people smoking smaller quantities. Its b/c weed and tobacco have different chemicals that cause different reactions in the lungs.
that's what i was thinking... i doubted that the amount had a lot to do with it... but man, what i'd give to be able to afford 20 joints a day... i dont think i'd have a care in the world (or accomplish a damn thing)
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