hookas and cancer

[The Yosemite Bear]

does smoking with a water filter have a greater or lower risk of cancer then pipe, or ciggys?

[Superman]

does smoking with a water filter have a greater or lower risk of cancer then pipe, or ciggys?

No, but the THC contained in the pot smoke will make you say "duuuuuude" a lot.

[Superman]

Actually, I didn't mean, "no."

The water basically cools the smoke, right? If you're getting more carcinogenic agents from the greater amounts of smoke, then it would be worse.

[Pezzoni]

I wouldn't have thought so. It will reduce burn damage (which I'm informed occurs?) from the hot gasses though, and therefore should be 'better' for you, assuming the same ammount of carciogens etc are inhaled.

[Superman]

I wouldn't have thought so. It will reduce burn damage (which I'm informed occurs?) from the hot gasses though, and therefore should be 'better' for you, assuming the same ammount of carciogens etc are inhaled.

Healthwise, it's no better. The only reported route of “smoking” that is indeed healthier is the usage of a vaporizor, although getting the same effects as simply burning the material is still in question.

With a water pipe, large amounts of smoke are inhaled. The water may cool the smoke, but it doesn't filter the cancer causing agents.

[Pezzoni]

With a water pipe, large amounts of smoke are inhaled. The water may cool the smoke, but it doesn't filter the cancer causing agents.

Surely the mere fact that the smoke is cooled should reduce tissue damage to the lungs due to the fact that they aren't coming into contact with very hot gas? I'm sure that the differance made by this will be minimal at best in the long run, but unless I'm mistaken, there will be a differance, however small.

[aerius]

Based on all the studies I've seen to date, the general consensus is that using a water pipe won't reduce your risk of lung cancer compared to using joints or pipes. But with cooler smoke you cough less, so you get high better since you don't cough out all the smoke as soon as you breathe it in.

A vapourizer will reduce the carcinogens in the smoke, but the only sure way to avoid lung cancer is to bake hash brownies or cook other marijuana based foods. A helpful hint, clearly label the magic brownies, cause eating them when you have the munchies from eating them earlier on is not a good thing. Of course this assumes that you're sober enough to read and/or care about the labels...

[Pezzoni]

Sorry, I just read the thread title, and would like to clarify that my above claim does not necasarially extend to the reduction of lung cancer.

[The Yosemite Bear]

don't worry I'm just curious.

[Elheru Aran]

Speaking of marijuana, how does it compare to tobacco carcinogen-wise? I've heard it's got more than regular tobacco, but as it's more or less non-addictive, you smoke far less of it than an average smoker will do cigs, hence the chance of cancer is less... right?

[Broomstick]

Speaking of marijuana, how does it compare to tobacco carcinogen-wise? I've heard it's got more than regular tobacco, but as it's more or less non-addictive, you smoke far less of it than an average smoker will do cigs, hence the chance of cancer is less... right?

As a very general rule, inhaling smoke of any kind is Bad For You.

Marijuna cancer risks have not been as exhaustively researched as has tobacco's, and the growing environment in regards to chemical used is much different than tobacco and much more variable.

However, it is clear that smoking anything increases your risk of cancer - lung, throat, and oral. Smoking less pot than tobacco means less risk, but not zero risk.

[petesampras]

Speaking of marijuana, how does it compare to tobacco carcinogen-wise? I've heard it's got more than regular tobacco, but as it's more or less non-addictive, you smoke far less of it than an average smoker will do cigs, hence the chance of cancer is less... right?

As a very general rule, inhaling smoke of any kind is Bad For You.

Marijuna cancer risks have not been as exhaustively researched as has tobacco's, and the growing environment in regards to chemical used is much different than tobacco and much more variable.

However, it is clear that smoking anything increases your risk of cancer - lung, throat, and oral. Smoking less pot than tobacco means less risk, but not zero risk.

It's certainly true that smoke from a variety of different sources increases the risk of lung cancer. Traffic pollution, cigarettes and working in smelting plants are all considered risk factors for lung cancer.

I have heard people claim that Marijuana has no cancer risk associated with it. Haven't seen any evidence to support that though. I think it's best to assume that anything you do to your lungs that hurts at first until you get used to it is probably not doing them any good.

[PainRack]

It's certainly true that smoke from a variety of different sources increases the risk of lung cancer. Traffic pollution, cigarettes and working in smelting plants are all considered risk factors for lung cancer.

I have heard people claim that Marijuana has no cancer risk associated with it. Haven't seen any evidence to support that though. I think it's best to assume that anything you do to your lungs that hurts at first until you get used to it is probably not doing them any good.

Just point out to them that inhaling coal dust, aka, carbon causes COPD. Why would inhaling smoke, which consists of carbon dust, be health free?

Sure, its not cancer but wheezing like Darth Vader really isn't as cool as it sounds.