Smoking without a filter increases the risks; therefore, the filter increases the benefits (2/2)

If we take a look at what the scientific research says, we see that there is some evidence that suggests that the smoke from marijuana combustion is associated with a greater risk of suffering chronic cough and increased phlegm production. As regards cancer, a study published in the European Respiratory Journal observed that the risk of lung cancer increases 8% for every year that a person smokes cannabis on a daily basis. Even though there is no nicotine if only marijuana is smoked, the smoke also contains carcinogens similar to those found in tobacco smoke. The first study ─ performed by the California Environmental Protection Agency ─ showed that marijuana smoke contains “at least 33 individual carcinogens that are present in both marijuana and tobacco smoke”, such as benzopyrene and benzanthracene.

Joints containing only marijuana are “rolled” with less pressure than tobacco cigarettes, which means that less smoke and tar are inhaled. It has also been found in studies that people who smoke marijuana tend to inhale more deeply and to keep smoke in the lungs for longer, which increases the negative effects of the toxic substances contained in the smoke. Actually, this is a rather inefficient practice, as our lungs absorb over 90% of the cannabinoids immediately. So, holding your breath to keep the smoke in only increases the undesired effects without gaining any extra benefit. Because of the by-products produced during combustion, the entry of smoke into the mouth may cause lesions, which may appear both on the mucous membranes and on the gums – for example, tooth cavities.

In Catalonia, probably because of our recent past in consuming hashish with tobacco, it is most common for people to smoke marijuana joints mixed with tobacco, often with a paperboard filter. Thus, the most common damage associated with smoking cannabis is, first of all, nicotine addiction. Addiction may cause strokes, heart attacks, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are two main types of COPD: chronic bronchitis, defined as prolonged coughing with mucus production, and lung emphysema, which destroys the lungs over time. If you wish more information about the symptoms, you may visit the Ministry of Health’s website.

Ways of reducing risks associated with the smoke

One thing you can do that may help decrease the risks of smoke is to not smoke joints in confined spaces. It’s best to be somewhere where there’s an open window or have a fan or fume extractor on. Smoke contains different types of pollutants – toxins and particles – that may have harmful effects both on those who are smoking and on anyone else who inhales the smoke.

Reducing the quantity of paper used to make the joints is a good option, as the excess paper generates extra smoke that does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is best to use rolling paper without any added dye.

Of course, if we don’t use any filter at all – whether for a cigarette or a joint – we may cause microburns on our lips that could become chronic. The longer the filter is or the more capacity it has to cool the inhaled smoke, the more the risks will be reduced. With an aim of delving deeper into the world of filters and of their potential for protecting against smoke-caused damage (although none are able to filter out all the toxic substances produced by burning plant matter), we’ll examine below six filter variants already available on the market, complementing information in the previous RdRcannabis post on the issue of filters:

- Glass filters. They help cool the smoke when it passes through them. They are usually made of borosilicate glass. This material is highly resistant to heat shock and is used to make laboratory instruments and kitchen utensils. In addition to being pretty cheap, they can be recycled, which means that they contribute to more environmentally-friendly consumption by not generating waste.

- Ceramic filters. Following the same lines as glass filters, there are also ceramic filters. They are more heat resistant than glass filters and also help cool the contact point between the mouth and the dry filter and the smoke. They are very easy to clean; just soak in alcohol.

- Food-grade plastic and silicone filters. These are a recent innovation. This filter has a chamber filled with silicone beads. When the smoke passes through the filter, it takes out the tar and, at the same time, the smoke cools inside the chamber. They appear to be too expensive, which makes it unlikely that they will be used on a large scale, but it is an option that should be considered if you want to reduce the risks associated with combustion.

- Silicone-only filters. Although not hugely popular, they may be useful for preventing cannabis particles from getting into your mouth. These filters enable you to smoke the entire joint without burning your fingers. They are cheap and very easy to clean – just use alcohol.

- Activated carbon filters. They are currently readily available in Catalonia and will become increasingly common. These are filters with small pieces of charcoal inside waiting to be activated. As a natural filter, charcoal offers benefits that improve the smoking experience by retaining tar and other particles that irritate the mucous membranes in the mouth and respiratory system. Appreciated for their ability to provide a smoking experience that’s gentler on the respiratory system. Some of today’s models still suffer from obstruction and residue filtration problems but they will soon improve.

- Organic maize husk filters. This is the latest thing on the American market but it’s not clear whether it’s going to catch on. They are advertised as cooling the smoke and preserving maximum cannabis flavour. They also prevent cannabis particles from entering the mouth. The commercial brands are including flavour capsules in the filters, which are activated by popping them just before smoking. The capsule releases a food-grade essential oil that is impregnated with terpenes. According to commercials, they give a drag new sensations and nuances.

Vaping is the only effective way to not inhale combustion by-products and, therefore, it is the best strategy for reducing risks and damage associated with combustion smoke. Using filters is a two-edged sword; by making us feel “safer” using them, we may end up smoking more than we should so our lungs will resent it.