Cannabis consumption has been increasing globally, especially amid increasing legalization for medicinal and recreational purposes. This has led to a surge in research investigating the health effects and risks linked with cannabis use. Among these effects is the potential link between cannabis use and respiratory health, especially the risk of asthma.
In the current research, investigators investigated the link between cannabis use and asthma risk. To do so, they analyzed eight observational studies assessing the link between cannabis use and risk of asthma diagnosis.
The studies contained between 2,611 and 160,209 participants, including adolescents and adults aged 18 years and above. The mode of cannabis use in all studies was inhalation, and it was defined in multiple ways, including past 30-day use and current use.
Ultimately, the researchers found that individuals who use cannabis are 31% more likely to have asthma than non-users. The researchers wrote that the findings are consistent with prior research that links cannabis use to respiratory inflammation.
“Given the association between cannabis use and greater odds of having asthma, clinicians may consider evaluating respiratory symptoms among cannabis users, particularly those with a history of asthma or other respiratory conditions,” wrote the researchers in their study.
The researchers noted that the findings have some limitations. To begin, they noted that the cross-sectional design of the studies limits the ability to establish temporal relationships and causality. They added that as most studies relied on self-reported cannabis use, the findings may be subject to recall bias and underreporting.
“Future research could benefit from examining moderating factors such as the frequency, method of cannabis use, and demographic variables to further clarify the relationship between cannabis consumption and asthma diagnosis. In addition, public health strategies aimed at raising awareness about the potential respiratory risks of cannabis use and promoting safer consumption practices may be beneficial for reducing the associated health burden,” concluded the researchers.
Sources: BMC Pulmonary Medicine