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Chandy M, Nishiga M, Wei TT, Hamburg NM, Nadeau K, Wu JC. Adverse Impact of Cannabis on Human Health. Annu Rev Med 2024; 75:353-367. [PMID: 37582489 PMCID: PMC10947506 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-med-052422-020627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis, the most commonly used recreational drug, is illicit in many areas of the world. With increasing decriminalization and legalization, cannabis use is increasing in the United States and other countries. The adverse effects of cannabis are unclear because its status as a Schedule 1 drug in the United States restricts research. Despite a paucity of data, cannabis is commonly perceived as a benign or even beneficial drug. However, recent studies show that cannabis has adverse cardiovascular and pulmonary effects and is linked with malignancy. Moreover, case reports have shown an association between cannabis use and neuropsychiatric disorders. With growing availability, cannabis misuse by minors has led to increasing incidences of overdose and toxicity. Though difficult to detect, cannabis intoxication may be linked to impaired driving and motor vehicle accidents. Overall, cannabis use is on the rise, and adverse effects are becoming apparent in clinical data sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Chandy
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada;
| | - Masataka Nishiga
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Tzu-Tang Wei
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Naomi M Hamburg
- Boston Medical Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kari Nadeau
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joseph C Wu
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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Vilcassim MJR, Stowe S, Majumder R, Subramaniam A, Sinkey RG. Electronic Cigarette Use during Pregnancy: Is It Harmful? TOXICS 2023; 11:278. [PMID: 36977043 PMCID: PMC10058591 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11030278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Although combustible cigarette smoking rates have declined in recent years, alternative tobacco product use, particularly electronic cigarette use ("vaping"), has increased among young adults. Recent studies indicate that vaping during pregnancy is on the rise, possibly due to the perception that it is a safer alternative to combustible cigarette smoking. However, e-cigarette aerosols may contain several newer, potentially toxic compounds, including some known developmental toxicants that may adversely impact both the mother and the fetus. However, there is paucity of studies that have examined the effects of vaping during pregnancy. While the adverse perinatal outcomes of cigarette smoking during pregnancy are well established, the specific risks associated with inhaling vaping aerosols during pregnancy requires more research. In this article, we discuss the existing evidence and knowledge gaps on the risks of vaping during pregnancy. Studies that investigate vaping-associated systemic exposure and its effects (i.e., biomarker analyses) and maternal and neonatal clinical health outcomes are needed to reach more robust conclusions. We particularly emphasize the need to go beyond comparative studies with cigarettes, and advocate for research that objectively evaluates the safety of e-cigarettes and other alternative tobacco products.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. J. Ruzmyn Vilcassim
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
| | - Samuel Stowe
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
| | - Rachel Majumder
- School of Health Professions, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Akila Subramaniam
- Center for Women’s Reproductive Health, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Heersink School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (A.S.); (R.G.S.)
| | - Rachel G. Sinkey
- Center for Women’s Reproductive Health, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Heersink School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (A.S.); (R.G.S.)
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Li JT. Asthma chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lower respiratory disorders. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2023; 130:131. [PMID: 36464594 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2022.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James T Li
- Division of Allergic Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
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Kathuria H. Electronic Cigarette Use, Misuse, and Harm. Med Clin North Am 2022; 106:1081-1092. [PMID: 36280334 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices that use heat to aerosolize a liquid containing a variety of substances (usually nicotine and/or cannabinoids, flavorings, and glycerol or propylene glycol base) that is then inhaled. E-cigarettes are rapidly evolving over time, so the true health effects of e-cigarettes are difficult to study and remain largely unknown. We review the effects of e-cigarettes on nicotine addiction and on pulmonary disease including the effects of dual use and switching from combustible cigarettes to e-cigarettes. Studies show that e-cigarette use can increase the risk to nicotine dependence and combustible tobacco use. Studies show an association between e-cigarette use and pulmonary disease. Some studies suggest reduced harm from e-cigarette use compared with smoking, but this requires further study. Most adults who use e-cigarettes also smoke cigarettes; epidemiologic studies suggest that the combination of e-cigarettes and cigarettes is more harmful than using either product alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasmeena Kathuria
- The Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street R304, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
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Giovacchini CX, Crotty Alexander LE, Que LG. Electronic Cigarettes: A Pro-Con Review of the Current Literature. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2022; 10:2843-2851. [PMID: 35872217 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, e-cigs, or electronic nicotine delivery systems) are battery-operated devices typically containing glycerol and/or propylene glycol-based solutions with varying nicotine content, known as e-liquids. Although e-cigarettes were originally developed as a potentially less harmful alternative to traditional combustible tobacco cigarette smokers, several factors have driven their popularity among smokers and nonsmokers alike, including their sleek product designs, innumerable appealing flavors, lack of combustible smoke and odor, and high potential nicotine concentrations. Furthermore, many advocates have promoted the idea that e-cigarettes are safe to use, or at least safer than conventional tobacco, despite limited longitudinal data to support these claims. Here, we examine what is known about the impacts of e-cigarette use on traditional cigarette smoking cessation, lung health, and youth and young adult tobacco product exposure. Upon review of the currently available literature, the negative effects of e-cigarette use seem to outweigh any potential benefit, because the available evidence does not confirm the use of e-cigarettes as an effective strategy for supporting traditional combustible tobacco cigarette smoking cessation, particularly given the emerging adverse effects on lung health and the potential future public health effects of e-cigarette adoption among a burgeoning new generation of tobacco product users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coral X Giovacchini
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC
| | - Laura E Crotty Alexander
- Pulmonary Critical Care Section, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, Calif; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep, and Physiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, Calif.
| | - Loretta G Que
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC.
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