Coughing up black "stuff" from the lungs is apparently common in marijuana smokers, according to this discussion. The stuff is most likely phlegm (sputum, mucus) that builds in the lungs as a result of smoking. There is clinical evidence that frequent cannabis is associated with a cough and increased sputum production, especially in the morning just like many participants in the discussion reported. The stuff coughed is black or darker color, such as dark green, dark yellow, or dark brown, as several other participants noted. Even teens who smoke cannabis reported this. Quitting marijuana didn't help. One participant said that the problem with coughing up black phlegm from his lungs persisted even after he stopped smoking.
Is that normal that I am still coughing the stuff up 10 days CLEAN totally?
According to several studies, increased production of phlegm and coughing up sputum may continue long after quitting smoking, either tobacco or cannabis.
Several participants also noted a slight chest pain, which could be associated with a strain from coughing, but also from a more serious underlying condition caused by smoking.
In further discussion, the participants tried to identify the origin of the "black stuff."
You are coughing up resin that is building up in your lungs.
Yeah, your both wrong, you are coughing up tar, left in the micro airways in your lungs.
So, was it resin or tar? The resin is a sticky brown or black substance that is a byproduct created from ash, tar, and carbon in the process of combustion, so everyone is right because the tar is a component of resin. Resin builds up on the pipes, as well as your bronchial tubes.
A cough is, therefore, a normal reaction, as one participant noticed, because this way, your body is trying to get rid of the tar and ash sitting in your lungs.
The black stuff means your body is doing its job expelling foreign mater from your lungs.
Several participants noted that black or darker color of coughed-up phlegm is because of blood that comes from irritated or inflamed airways.
Others claimed that long-term smoking of any substance (tobacco or cannabis) can lead to things like chronic bronchitis where you could still be coughing up sputum for the rest of your life. One participant said that any combustible inhalant can kill you.
This brought an issue of the harmful properties of cannabis. Some said that marijuana does have some health benefits, but that smoking it can do more harm than good. One participant said that depending on how you smoke your weed it can actually be more harmful than cigarettes because those who smoke cannabis inhale most of the chemicals found in tobacco and in almost equal quantities. One member blamed long-term cannabis use fo his lung infection. Some claimed that marijuana can cause lung cancer, just like cigarettes.
Those who tried to defend cannabis gave polarizing opinions about it, which is no wonder since the scientific community is also polarized regarding this issue, mostly because cannabis is illegal and still unavailable for studies.
Claims verification
-
in 10,000 years of cannabis history there has not been one death or case of cancer associated with marijuana.
https://www.nature.com/articles/6605281
https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GRAS/NoticeInventory/UCM625546.pdf -
Tobacco is a bronchial constrictor whereas Cannabis is a bronchial dilator;
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2720277/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1277837/
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2F978-1-60761-219-3_23.pdf -
0 people have died from Cannabis throughout history.
https://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/cannabis_report/en/
https://www.nature.com/articles/srep08126 -
However, the tar inhaled, or resin from the marijuana, is indeed a carcinogen which can cause cancer.
http://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/Extracts-and-tinctures.pdf -
Marijuana does not kill tissue, including lung tissue.
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/lung-cancer
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007194.htm
What do experts say?
Marijuana, also known as cannabis is the second most commonly smoked substance after tobacco. While the harmful effects of tobacco smoke are well known, there is less information about the health effects of marijuana mostly because few research studies have been done since cannabis remains illegal in most countries. There are, however, some recent studies claiming that cannabis is harmful to your health, particularly if you have lung disease or other medical conditions.
The health effects of marijuana are determined in large part by how it's consumed. The most common form of administration of cannabis (either recreational or medicinal) is through inhalation (smoking or vaporizing). Cannabis is most commonly smoked using pipes, bongs, paper-wrapped joints, blunts, and other devices including those that heat or vaporize marijuana. Marijuana can also be consumed through dozens of different products including candies, brownies, gummies, tinctures, beverages, and many more.
Is smoking marijuana as harmful as smoking tobacco?Any smoke is harmful to lung health. Whether from burning wood, incense or tobacco, toxins and carcinogens are released from the combustion of materials. Smoke from marijuana is no different.
Moreover, cannabis is typically smoked different than tobacco. Marijuana smokers tend to inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than cigarette smokers, which leads to a greater exposure per breath to tar and other harmful substances. Unlike the proven harmful effects of secondhand cigarette smoke, there is not enough data on the health consequences of breathing secondhand marijuana smoke. However, there is concern that it could cause harmful health effects, especially in children who may inhale it.
How can marijuana smoke affect the lungs?Some studies showed that even short-term use of marijuana, even once a week, can affect lungs by causing coughing, wheezing, and increased production of phlegm, which are all signs of chronic bronchitis. Reducing cannabis use may lead to a resolution of these symptoms, although little is known about the persistence of symptoms after stopping cannabis use.
Smoking marijuana also can cause large air sacs, called bullae, to develop in the lung, especially in younger marijuana smokers (younger than 45 years old). Bullae can cause shortness of breath (dyspnea) and may rupture, leading to a collapsed lung (pneumothorax), a potentially life-threatening condition.
A mold called Aspergillus lives on a marijuana plant and can be inhaled in marijuana smoke causing a lung infection known as Aspergillosis, pneumonia, and even death. People with weak immune systems, such as those who have had an organ transplant, cancer patients on chemotherapy, or those with the weak immune system are particularly prone to Aspergillus infection and should avoid smoking marijuana.
Marijuana can also make many existing lung conditions worse, such as asthma, COPD, and other lung conditions.
Some studies showed that marijuana smoke may increase the risk of lung cancer because it contains over 450 unique chemicals including many carcinogens similar to tobacco smoke. Other studies found no significant association with the development of lung cancer, although cannabis use made some cancers progress at a faster rate.
What symptoms may indicate that smoking cannabis is affecting my lungs?Just like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke causes coughing, increased sputum (“phlegm”), and wheezing. Also, marijuana can cause dyspnea (shortness of breath) and swelling in the throat and airways. These indicate changes in your lungs due to marijuana smoke.
Keep an eye on warning symptoms and seek immediate medical help if you notice any of the following:
- a persistent cough (lasting several weeks)
- change in sputum's color, amount, or consistency (black phlegm can also indicate lung cancer)
- blood in sputum (rust-colored sputum)
- coughing or spitting up blood or bloody mucus from the lungs and throat
- chest pain
- weight loss
Links:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4780250/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4998554/
- https://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/cannabis_report/en/
- Russell C, Rueda S, Room R, Tyndall M, Fischer B. Routes of administration for cannabis use – basic prevalence and related health outcomes: A scoping review and synthesis. Int J Drug Policy. 2018,52:87-96.; Tashkin DP. Effects of marijuana smoking on the lung. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2013,10(3):239-47.; Joshi M, Joshi A, Bartter T. Marijuana and lung diseases. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2014,20(2):173-179.; Wu T-C, Tashkin DP, Djahed B, Rose JE. Pulmonary hazards of smoking marijuana as compared with tobacco. N Engl J Med. 1988,318(6):347-51.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3103256/
- Martinasek MP, McGrogan JB, Maysonet A. A Systematic Review of the Respiratory Effects of Inhalational Marijuana. Respir Care. 2016,61(11):1543-1551.;
Discussion highlights
What do the participants think the black stuff is?
- You are coughing up resin that is building up in your lungs.
- Yeah, your both wrong, you are coughing up tar, left in the micro airways in your lungs.
- All you are doing is coughing up the tar that is sitting in your lungs, the only negative effect there is from smoking cannabis, aside from carcinogens but that is basically the same territory, and will come from anything that you need use combustion to inhale.
- I figure its from phlegm i have thats trapping the tar and thats what im coughing up.
- and i can tell you all that YES it is resin that we are bringing back up.
What made the coughing up black stuff more prominent?
- I've been smoking weed for the same amount of time roughly,and every morning im running to the bathroom my lungs are crackling and im chucking big lumps of tar into the sink in with my flem, and i'm nearly 16, what stages am i at and am i going to die shortly?
- Ironically, I cough up more when I QUIT smoking than when I continue to smoke.
- I still cough up some, but it's darker and blacker when I quit.
- A single hit would trigger a cough attack.
- after i smoke i spit out dark yellow or brown stuff what is that form
In conclusion
Dark colored sputum (phlegm) is often a normal reaction after smoking tobacco or cannabis. However, if accompanied by other symptoms, such as a persistent cough, bloody sputum, or chest pain, it should be a reason to seek immediate medical assistance.