Behavior Health and Wellness Blog

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Substance Use Disorder

Does smoking marijuana increase the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

As marijuana use continues to rise, so do concerns about its long-term effects on lung health—particularly its link to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While marijuana is the second most commonly smoked substance in the world after tobacco, its health risks remain less defined. Marijuana smoke shares many of the same harmful components as tobacco smoke, minus nicotine, and studies have shown that it can cause injury to large airways

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Smoking and Heart Disease, Stroke, and Peripheral Artery Disease

Heart disease—including coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease (PAD)—remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., and smoking is a major driver behind it. Plaque buildup in the arteries can lead to chest pain, heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes, while PAD often causes pain and weakness in the limbs. Smoking and even secondhand smoke damage blood vessels, raise triglycerides, lower good cholesterol, and make the blood

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How can we prevent tobacco use?

Tobacco use continues to be one of the leading preventable causes of death, not only due to direct smoking but also through secondhand exposure. Since the landmark 1964 Surgeon General’s Report, tobacco control efforts have made major strides—researchers estimate they’ve helped avert 8 million premature deaths and added 2.3 years to male and 1.6 years to female life expectancy. Despite this progress, 5.6 million adolescents under 18 are still projected

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Cannabis and Chronic Pain

Cannabis is often promoted as a natural alternative for pain relief, and in the U.S., it’s one of the most common reasons people turn to medical cannabis. But what does the science actually say? Despite growing public interest, research shows that cannabis is not consistently effective in treating most types of acute or chronic pain. While a few studies suggest it might help with neuropathic pain—a condition caused by nerve

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