Chest Pain From Smoking Weed
If you’re reading this, it is probably because you are experiencing chest pain from smoking weed.
First things first, don’t panic.
There are several reasons why you may notice pain in your chest after smoking weed that can stem from taking too big of a hit to inhaling tar, resin, or mold and can even be caused by anxiety-producing strains.
We are going to cover the 4 reasons you may be experiencing chest pain from smoking marijuana and what you can do about it!
4 Reasons Why Lungs Hurt After Smoking Weed
There are several issues said to be the cause of chest pain from smoking weed.
1. Chest Pain from Smoking Weed - Tar and Resin
Are you familiar with resin and tar from weed smoke? The buildup in your lungs begins the moment you take your first hit. If you look at a brand-new bong after you smoke your first bowl, you can instantly see the tar and resin buildup. The same thing happens to your lungs.
Tar and resin buildup can cause a very heavy, uncomfortable feeling in your lungs and chest. Additionally, if you experience asthma or any pre-existing lung conditions like it, resin and tar can cause lung irritation and produce a cough attack. Learn more about the effects of cannabis and asthma.
To prevent tar and resin from building up in your lungs, make sure you are using a triple-carbon marijuana filter for joints, blunts, bongs, and weed vape pens.
Moose Labs MouthPeace and MouthPeace Mini have a triple-layer activated carbon filter that has proven to filter out tar and resin from weed smoke without removing the good stuff. MouthPeace users claim that using these weed filters has helped control coughing and lung irritation. Not only that, but your rips are tastier and cleaner.
2. Chest Hurts After Smoking Weed - Mold in Weed
Moldy weed is another cause of chest pain when smoking weed. Mold in weed has mainly been discoverable in midgrade weed and unregulated recreational marijuana. So, if you purchase premium cannabis, this probably isn’t the cause of your chest pain. However, there have been carcinogens like Aspergillus mold found even in premium weed. Marijuana is a plant; it is alive, meaning it can harbor mold.
You can identify moldy weed as a white, fuzzy film, like you may have seen on a fruit. If you have found mold in weed, you will want to toss it out and find a better source that sells top strains of weed.
3. Chest Pain from Smoking Too Much - Anxiety and Panic Attack
In smaller doses, marijuana activates the sympathetic nervous system. Your heart rate and blood pressure will increase, and oxygen flow to the heart muscle will be mildly restricted. It is prevalent to feel that you are having a more difficult time breathing, but this doesn’t mean you are not breathing at all.
Breathing shallower can increase the chance of having a panic attack, especially if you have anxiety as an underlying issue. This is because it is harder to take a full, deep breath when your heart rate increases. When this happens, it triggers panic, which only makes the shortness of breath continue. Also, certain types of marijuana strains, especially sativas, are known to increase paranoia and anxiety - stay clear of those.
If this happens to you, don’t panic. This is common and can be helped by inhaling for 5 seconds and exhaling for 5 seconds. No, not marijuana, just oxygen.
Do this for 5 breaths, and you will notice your breathing can deepen, and the shortness of breath should subside.
Smoking too much THC when your body hasn’t built a tolerance to it is also a factor in increased anxiety and panic attacks. Just be sure to smoke what your body can handle so you can work your way up and build tolerance.
4. Marijuana Chest Pain - Holding in Weed Too Long
The fourth reason you are experiencing marijuana chest pain is from holding in a rip for too long. The amount of THC absorbed in your lungs is done so within the first second of touching your lungs. The longer you hold in a hit, the longer you deprive your brain of oxygen, which can trigger a panic attack. Make sure you understand how to inhale marijuana.
When to Worry About Chest Pain After Smoking Weed
It can be a terrifying thing to experience chest pain after smoking weed. Especially if you have never experienced it before or if you are new to smoking weed.
It is common to feel chest pain when inhaling smoke from anything, not just cannabis. This is due to irritation to the lungs that leads to coughing.
However, there are clear signs of much more severe health concerns that may not be related to marijuana. In these instances, calling a healthcare physician or 911 is advisable. Continue reading to know what signs to look for.
Is it Really Weed That is Causing My Chest Pain?
Smoking anything, including weed, can cause chest pain due to lung irritation from the smoke. Coughing usually helps, and the pain subsides quickly.
Seek medical attention or a doctor appointment if you are experiencing ANY of the following risk factors:
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Intense, severe pain and chest tightness
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Experience severe chest pain while working out
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Severe sharp chest pains lasting longer than 15 minutes
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if the pain spreads to other parts of the body (jaw, upper back, left arm)
The list above shows signs of more severe issues within the body that need medical attention. Do not let these symptoms continue without seeking advice from a physician.
Why am I Getting Shortness of Breath from Smoking Marijuana?
As you inhale smoke from weed, it first goes to your lungs. From your lungs, smoke is then absorbed into the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, smoke and its compounds are distributed through the veins, passing into the heart and brain.
Since the compounds from weed smoke permeate the entire body, every cell is touched and affected.
Due to your whole body being affected by smoking marijuana, it can cause panic attacks, which may increase shortness of breath or the feeling of shallow breathing.
Your sympathetic nervous system is activated when you smoke weed, which causes an increase in blood pressure and heart rate; this reduces the chance of catching a deep breath, producing a feeling of shortness of breath.
Keep reading below to find out what to do if you experience this symptom of smoking weed.
Health Issues Could Make it Hard to Breathe After Smoking Weed.
While smoking weed is not considered dangerous, it can worsen heart and lung disease. So, you should always be honest with yourself and the doctor when talking about consuming cannabis. Always let the doctor know of any history of heart disease that may run in your family. This will allow for a proper diagnosis.
Coronary Artery Disease - Chest Pain From Smoking Weed
If you have a history of coronary artery disease, you may experience pain after smoking.
For someone with a coronary artery disease history, marijuana can actually cause chest pain from smoking and even bring on a heart attack. It can rupture cholesterol plaques and block the coronary artery.
Airway or Lung Disease - Shortness of Breath After Smoking Weed
Do you find it hard to breathe after smoking weed? Whether you are a light or heavy weed smoker, smoking affects your airways and lung tissue, which can also lead to chest pain in between and during smoking.
Reviews show concern for potential adverse lung effects, and the purpose was to highlight recent studies showing the impact on the respiratory system when marijuana smoke is inhaled.
Smoking pot leads to coughing and chest pain. The cause is Inflammation and irritation of the large airway (Pharyngitis) and irritation and inflammation in the small airways and lung spaces (Bronchitis).
What to Do When Cannabis is Causing Discomfort in My Chest?
Any form of smoking is irritating to the lungs. When talking about weed smoke, the most common reason for your body’s immediate coughing reaction is from the primary irritants: tar and resin.
Resin and tar enter your lungs the second you inhale smoke from marijuana. The best thing to do to avoid experiencing a coughing fit and chest pain or discomfort from smoking weed is to switch over to edibles or oils and tinctures. If you love smoking weed, it’s advisable to use MouthPeace to reduce the buildup of tar and resin in your lungs.
Disclaimer: Moose Labs makes no claims to treat any lung disease or condition. Moose Labs MouthPeace and MouthPeace Mini only help to reduce tar and resin. Smoking, in any form, still has many potential risks. If you are experiencing any discomfort in your chest, seeking medical attention is the best option.
Legal medical marijuana is much more heavily regulated in most states. Generally, buying medical marijuana will reduce the risk of purchasing weed contaminated with pesticides, mold, and other harmful contaminants.
Seeking medical attention is always advised to find any underlying issues that could be the root cause of why your lungs hurt after smoking weed.
Conclusion
There are minor causes of chest pain, like indigestion from overeating when high, and this can be alleviated by taking Tums. Then, there are not-so-common signs while experiencing chest pain from smoking marijuana that possibly link to more severe issues that require medical attention.
Don’t take chest pain after smoking cannabis lightly. Review the list of notable signs to look for that require a physician to become involved. Remember to be honest with your healthcare provider to help them better diagnose whether you have a real underlying issue or if you just smoked too much weed.
Disclaimer - This article has not been written or reviewed by a doctor. If you are concerned about any symptoms you are experiencing, contact a healthcare professional immediately.
FAQ:
Can smoking cause chest pain?
Yes. Inhaling any smoke, whether tobacco smoke or cannabis smoke, can irritate lung tissue and induce coughing, discomfort, and chest tightness.
Prolonged smoking could also damage blood vessels, putting extra strain on your heart due to reduced blood flow (Agina). This can manifest as pain and tightness in your chest.
Does Marijuana Cause Strokes and Heart Attacks?
Yes, the use of marijuana has been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, especially in frequent cannabis users.
A large study with over 435,000 American adults sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found daily use of cannabis increases the risk of heart attack by 25% and stroke by 42%.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) also interacts with the receptors of the cardiovascular system, causing inflammation in the blood vessels, which can lead to heart rhythm abnormalities like tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and other subsequent cardiovascular diseases.
Is it normal to experience chest pain after using marijuana?
Mild chest discomfort after marijuana use can happen due to smoke irritation, coughing, or anxiety, especially among beginner smokers.
However, persistent or severe chest pain means something more serious is going on with your cardiovascular or respiratory system, and it is a clear sign that you should talk to a healthcare professional.
Is chest pain a common side effect of smoking weed?
Chest pain is not a “common” side effect of cannabis use in healthy people but can be in those with underlying heart or lung issues.
Rapid heartbeat, changes in blood pressure, and irritation from smoke can trigger pain if you already have any pre-existing issues with your heart or lungs. Again, we recommend seeing a healthcare provider for ongoing pain or concerns.
Does smoking weed cause inflammation in your body?
Yes, smoking weed irritates the airways, inflames lung tissue, and can cause infections or breathing issues. It can also cause inflammation in blood vessels, partly from oxidative stress. Regular use increases these risks and can affect lung and heart health.