Vaping CBD Causes More Severe Lung Damage Than Nicotine, Study Finds

Vaping has become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional smoking, with many people turning to e-cigarettes and vaping devices to help them quit smoking or reduce their nicotine intake. However, a new study by researchers at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center suggests that vaping CBD, a compound found in marijuana, may cause more severe lung damage than vaping nicotine.

Led by Yasmin Thanavala, Ph.D., the Roswell Park team conducted the first study comparing the pulmonary effects of acute inhalation of vaporized CBD and nicotine. The study found that CBD aerosols led to greater tissue damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the lungs compared to nicotine aerosols.

CBD Aerosols More Toxic to Lung Cells

The study involved both in vivo models and in vitro cultures of human cells, which were exposed to filtered air, nicotine aerosols, or CBD aerosols for two weeks. Among other results, the researchers found that exposure to CBD aerosols killed purified human neutrophils at a higher rate than nicotine aerosols, which could make individuals more susceptible to respiratory infections.

Additionally, CBD aerosols were more toxic to cultures of human small airway epithelial cells and disrupted the integrity of the lung epithelial barrier. These findings suggest that vaping CBD may not only cause significant lung injury but also increase susceptibility to respiratory infections and worsen symptoms in patients with underlying pulmonary inflammatory disease.

Healthcare Providers Need to Ask About Vaping Habits

Dr. Thanavala notes that healthcare providers need to be aware of the specific details of a patient’s smoking history and ask if they vape, and if so, whether they vape nicotine or cannabis. The study suggests that patients who vape cannabis may be at a higher risk of lung damage and respiratory infections, and may have poor responses to prophylactic vaccinations.

The researchers also note that while cannabis has proven health benefits, there is a lack of robust evidence about cannabis safety when delivered from vaping products. Further research is needed to investigate the long-term effects of regularly vaping CBD and nicotine and evaluate the effects of vaping products that contain other types of cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis.