Cannabis smoking involves inhaling vapors released by heating the flowers and subtending leaves of the Cannabis plants, known as marijuana. Alternatively, the cannabis plant flowers may be finely sifted producing kief, a powder especially rich in the oil-glands or trichomes which contain the highest amounts of cannabinoids. In exporting countries the kief is usually pressed under heat to form solid cakes of hashish, easily stored and shipped, which is widely marketed for smoking use. Cannabis is consumed recreationally to produce a feeling of relaxation or euphoria, medically (such as to relieve stress or suppress nausea), or inspirationally by inventors and artists in pursuit of creativity.
While cannabis can be consumed orally, the bioavailability characteristics and effects of this method are different from smoking. The effect takes longer to begin, is typically longer-lasting, and can result in a more powerful psychoactive effect than expected.
Cannabis can be smoked in a variety of pipe-like implements including bongs and “bowls”, joint, or blunt.
As of 2012, there is still no conclusive correlation between the effects of cannabis smoke and an increased incidence of lung cancer in humans due to the difficulties of finding and studying subjects who have only been exposed to cannabis smoke.
Scientists studying young adults in New Zealand have revealed that smoking cannabis (marijuana), independent of tobacco, is a potential risk factor for gum disease.
The study is published in the 6th February issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and was the work of researchers based at the Dunedin School of Medicine in New Zealand; King’s College London, England; Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, also in the USA.
Inflammation associated with periodontal disease (disease of the bone, gum or ligaments that anchor and support the teeth) can extend deep into dental tissue, weakening its supportive structure and resulting in loose teeth and eventually tooth loss as well.
Periodontal disease is one of the most chronic diseases in adults, wrote the researchers.
Scientists already knew that smoking tobacco was significantly linked to increased risk of periodontal disease, but there was no information on how cannabis smoking, with our without tobacco smoking, may or may not have the same connections.