Comments on: The smoky truth on hookahs http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/04/the-smoky-truth-on-hookahs/ Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:13:33 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Gregg http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/04/the-smoky-truth-on-hookahs/#comment-14051 Gregg Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:20:30 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=131#comment-14051 you say it right in the article, "don't believe everything you hear." I find it hard to believe that you can smoke two hundred cigarettes in an hour = 3 1/3 per minute even smoking nonstop(meaning hookah smoke must be more potent somehow which is hard to believe as well), you give no research to back up your finding, and you are a running health nut who is obviously death to smoking. Reasons one two and three I don't believe this article to a "T". I'm not a moron I know that smoking anything is bad for you but I think you went a little over the top here. I look forward to any rebuttal you choose to send my way. Gregg you say it right in the article, "don't believe everything you hear." I find it hard to believe that you can smoke two hundred cigarettes in an hour = 3 1/3 per minute even smoking nonstop(meaning hookah smoke must be more potent somehow which is hard to believe as well), you give no research to back up your finding, and you are a running health nut who is obviously death to smoking. Reasons one two and three I don't believe this article to a "T". I'm not a moron I know that smoking anything is bad for you but I think you went a little over the top here. I look forward to any rebuttal you choose to send my way.
Gregg

]]> By: VAPORIZER http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/04/the-smoky-truth-on-hookahs/#comment-13038 VAPORIZER Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:49:21 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=131#comment-13038 well its my first time to heard that hooka. its good to know about this. The point here is that people should do a research before trying to use that hooka. Why just use vaporizer? it is safer than smoking. well its my first time to heard that hooka. its good to know about this. The point here is that people should do a research before trying to use that hooka. Why just use vaporizer? it is safer than smoking.

]]> By: Fran http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/04/the-smoky-truth-on-hookahs/#comment-12638 Fran Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:41:54 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=131#comment-12638 I think this whole discussion is ridiculous. I honestly can not believe that Americans have all these resources to get educated about a subject and still post very uneducated statements about something as simple as smoke. It\'s actually very simple! Any kind of smoke going into your lungs, whether it\'s cigarettes,hookah,weed etc is BAD for you. The human body\'s lungs are not meant to hold anything but oxygen, and honeslty even that is not completely true because the body can not hold oxygen for long periods of time(hence unless you\'re super human you probably can\'t hold your breath for very long). All I\'m really trying to say is you know the facts already SMOKE IS BAD so if you choose to do it don\'t be surprise if you suffer the consequences later in life! I think this whole discussion is ridiculous. I honestly can not believe that Americans have all these resources to get educated about a subject and still post very uneducated statements about something as simple as smoke. It\'s actually very simple! Any kind of smoke going into your lungs, whether it\'s cigarettes,hookah,weed etc is BAD for you. The human body\'s lungs are not meant to hold anything but oxygen, and honeslty even that is not completely true because the body can not hold oxygen for long periods of time(hence unless you\'re super human you probably can\'t hold your breath for very long). All I\'m really trying to say is you know the facts already SMOKE IS BAD so if you choose to do it don\'t be surprise if you suffer the consequences later in life!

]]> By: Tami http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/04/the-smoky-truth-on-hookahs/#comment-6078 Tami Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:54:46 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=131#comment-6078 Is there thc in the hookah tobacco? Is there thc in the hookah tobacco?

]]> By: NMM http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/04/the-smoky-truth-on-hookahs/#comment-5233 NMM Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:17:54 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=131#comment-5233 According to a study done by multiple researchers (Dr. Eisenberg in Virginia, and 3 other researchers in Lebanon and Syria), the hookah smoke was analyzed during a 45 minute session of smoking 10g of fruit flavored tobacco, using 17 second long puffs, 30 seconds apart. The amount of nicotene that survived the water filtering and made it to the mouth piece WAS EQUAL TO A PACK OF CIGARETTES (quantity of 20 , 1g cigarettes )!! The amount of carbon monoxide (CO) detected was equal to 16 packs of cigarettes. The reason for high carbon monoxide content is due to the fact that we have incomplete conbustion in hookah : The charcoal is separated from the tobacco via the aluminum foil. The high CO is the reason why we feel dizzy if we dont breathe enough between puffs: minimizing oxygen getting to our brain. Also trails of Aluminum was found in the water, suggesting the presence of Aluminum compounds in the smoke. Aluminum compounds can cause Alzheimers in a long run. The only 2 positive thing about the hookah smoke (vs cigarette smoke) is the absence of TAR, since there is no full combustion in hookah, and the absence of paper. But the 4900 metal compounds that our lung doesnt know how to get rid of, is common between the two. I smoke hookah once a week, but just wanted to share this info with people who smoke hookah so they are aware .. According to a study done by multiple researchers (Dr. Eisenberg in Virginia, and 3 other researchers in Lebanon and Syria), the hookah smoke was analyzed during a 45 minute session of smoking 10g of fruit flavored tobacco, using 17 second long puffs, 30 seconds apart. The amount of nicotene that survived the water filtering and made it to the mouth piece WAS EQUAL TO A PACK OF CIGARETTES (quantity of 20 , 1g cigarettes )!! The amount of carbon monoxide (CO) detected was equal to 16 packs of cigarettes. The reason for high carbon monoxide content is due to the fact that we have incomplete conbustion in hookah : The charcoal is separated from the tobacco via the aluminum foil. The high CO is the reason why we feel dizzy if we dont breathe enough between puffs: minimizing oxygen getting to our brain.

Also trails of Aluminum was found in the water, suggesting the presence of Aluminum compounds in the smoke. Aluminum compounds can cause Alzheimers in a long run.

The only 2 positive thing about the hookah smoke (vs cigarette smoke) is the absence of TAR, since there is no full combustion in hookah, and the absence of paper. But the 4900 metal compounds that our lung doesnt know how to get rid of, is common between the two.

I smoke hookah once a week, but just wanted to share this info with people who smoke hookah so they are aware ..

]]> By: Praetorian, Fort Myers http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/04/the-smoky-truth-on-hookahs/#comment-2999 Praetorian, Fort Myers Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:04:31 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=131#comment-2999 The Hookah is a pleasant experience. Most popular in Turkey and the middle east--the tobacco "turds" made for the hookah--are not contaminated with the dozens of chemicals American cigarette companies put in their tobaccos to addict U.S. smokers. It's pure tobacco. The smoke doesn't make you cough..and hookah smokers generally smoke in Chai houses and bars--so they traditionally do not smoke (nor inhale) as much as the typical American cigarette smoker. My point of view--for those who must continue smoking--get turkish tobacco--and use the hookah...as much of the tar (#1 cause of lung cilia damage) is removed in the water--providing a pleasurible and probably a little healthier smoke. The Hookah is a pleasant experience. Most popular in Turkey and the middle east–the tobacco "turds" made for the hookah–are not contaminated with the dozens of chemicals American cigarette companies put in their tobaccos to addict U.S. smokers. It's pure tobacco. The smoke doesn't make you cough..and hookah smokers generally smoke in Chai houses and bars–so they traditionally do not smoke (nor inhale) as much as the typical American cigarette smoker.

My point of view–for those who must continue smoking–get turkish tobacco–and use the hookah...as much of the tar (#1 cause of lung cilia damage) is removed in the water–providing a pleasurible and probably a little healthier smoke.

]]> By: AWH http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/04/the-smoky-truth-on-hookahs/#comment-2986 AWH Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:59:25 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=131#comment-2986 To clarify: vaporization of any substance involves pushing heated air through that substance to remove the active compounds without actually burning the substance. A vaporizer (Such as the Volcano) can't ignite plant matter. The heating element doesn't get hot enough. Vaporization doesn't involve inhalation of particulate matter. What you inhale is more like a very fine mist. This mist is actually an air/oil emulsion of the THC and other aromatic cannibinoids in marijuana, though it looks somewhat similar to smoke. To clarify: vaporization of any substance involves pushing heated air through that substance to remove the active compounds without actually burning the substance. A vaporizer (Such as the Volcano) can't ignite plant matter. The heating element doesn't get hot enough. Vaporization doesn't involve inhalation of particulate matter. What you inhale is more like a very fine mist. This mist is actually an air/oil emulsion of the THC and other aromatic cannibinoids in marijuana, though it looks somewhat similar to smoke.

]]> By: Courtney http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/04/the-smoky-truth-on-hookahs/#comment-2947 Courtney Sun, 17 Aug 2008 14:42:06 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=131#comment-2947 My fiance has been smoking hookah constantly (all day, every day) for the past 10 years and his doctors can't even tell that he smokes. I, on the other hand, smoked cigarettes for only 6 years and my doctors could tell that my lungs were being affected and I had bronchitis. After quitting cigarettes and switching to hookah, my bronchitis has gone away. I have been smoking only hookah for the past 2 years and it has been wonderful - much, MUCH more enjoyable than cigarette smoking. On a second note, my birth father has always had an issue with his lungs making him unable to fully inhale smoke from any smoking device (cigarettes, cigars) EXCEPT for the hookah. It does not irritate his lungs at all, and it is the only thing he can fully inhale. Also, it's really fun to make your own tobacco and experiment with flavors. I must say I have yet to see a "real" study done on hookah. Whatever. I love it, my family loves it, and it's super fun and relatively harmless! My fiance has been smoking hookah constantly (all day, every day) for the past 10 years and his doctors can't even tell that he smokes. I, on the other hand, smoked cigarettes for only 6 years and my doctors could tell that my lungs were being affected and I had bronchitis. After quitting cigarettes and switching to hookah, my bronchitis has gone away. I have been smoking only hookah for the past 2 years and it has been wonderful – much, MUCH more enjoyable than cigarette smoking.

On a second note, my birth father has always had an issue with his lungs making him unable to fully inhale smoke from any smoking device (cigarettes, cigars) EXCEPT for the hookah. It does not irritate his lungs at all, and it is the only thing he can fully inhale. Also, it's really fun to make your own tobacco and experiment with flavors.

I must say I have yet to see a "real" study done on hookah. Whatever. I love it, my family loves it, and it's super fun and relatively harmless!

]]> By: Trish http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/04/the-smoky-truth-on-hookahs/#comment-2866 Trish Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:17:39 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=131#comment-2866 Smoking, regardless of the substance, is still smoking. I watched my mother go from a vibrant woman who loved life (and her cigarette addiction) to a shrivelled woman who had to have oxygen forced into her lungs with a Bi-Pap before she died of end stage emphysema, weighing about 70 pounds. Most people think this will never happen to them, and I'm sure my mom did, too. She was 67 years old. It was a horrible way to die - gasping for breath amid the panic attacks. The doctor told her she had no lungs left. At her visitation, one of her friends told me that they had urged my mom to quit, but she told them she "loved the taste." She had even told my mother-in-law at my wedding that she would "rather die than quit smoking." She got her wish. In my opinion, smoking is never healthy, regardless of what it is one is smoking. Smoking, regardless of the substance, is still smoking. I watched my mother go from a vibrant woman who loved life (and her cigarette addiction) to a shrivelled woman who had to have oxygen forced into her lungs with a Bi-Pap before she died of end stage emphysema, weighing about 70 pounds. Most people think this will never happen to them, and I'm sure my mom did, too. She was 67 years old. It was a horrible way to die – gasping for breath amid the panic attacks. The doctor told her she had no lungs left.

At her visitation, one of her friends told me that they had urged my mom to quit, but she told them she "loved the taste." She had even told my mother-in-law at my wedding that she would "rather die than quit smoking." She got her wish.

In my opinion, smoking is never healthy, regardless of what it is one is smoking.

]]> By: Mark Pedersen http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/04/the-smoky-truth-on-hookahs/#comment-2864 Mark Pedersen Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:13:03 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=131#comment-2864 So much old information about Cannabis. And when I say old, I mean decades old. Most, upwards of 70 years old. I don't know how anyone who calls themselves a physician would be so neglectful of the CURRENT science, even if the cameras ARE rolling. Cutting-edge Information about the therapeutic use of Cannabis is, unfortunately, contained in the minds and databases of apparently a very small few. It's time America learns the truth. People's lives hang in the balance. We can’t wait for the news media to get a conscience. We have a video by Dr. Denis Petro, consulting Neurologist for the Multiple Sclerosis Patients Union that was taken in December of 2003. In it, he talks about his 20 years worth of research on medicinal cannabis and no less than 7 documented clinical studies that demonstrate the medical benefits of cannabis. Petro, whose research regarding Cannabis spans over 25 years, is frustrated by our government and media's refusal to recognize what other countries the world over already accept for years, Cannabis is real medicine. "Drug companies only want to do research on something that will bring money down the road." Concluded Petro. Might I add, physicians tied to news agencies appear to be umbilically tied to pharmaceutical company propaganda. Seems all they can spew are half-truths and out-right lies. I have personally interviewed hundreds from all over this country who use "smoked" cannabis medicinally. Some for as much as 45 years. I currently have over 70 interviews on YouTube and the numbers are growing daily. Please feel free to watch them. Their stories are real and first person. www.youtube.com/cannabispatientnet Yes, smoking cannabis can irritate the lungs. Let's clarify, "irritate". God, how I hate half-truths...and it seems, CNN's medical advisers are full of them! Any medicine that irritates lung tissue can be dangerous for someone whose respiratory system is already compromised. But, if you remove or dramatically reduce the irritant(s), the end product can not only be safe, it can provide freedom from pain and help the body to heal and fight disease. Stop throwing out the baby with the bath water! Vaporization of Cannabis has been endorsed by physicians the world over, as well as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. They consider Cannabis to be so important that they maintain a twenty person task force, made up of distinguished Dr’s, RN’s, MD’s, and PHD’s. Other organizations that have recognized Cannabis as medicine include the American College of Physicians, the second largest physician organization in the country, and the Medical Student Section of the American Medical Association, a branch of the largest medical association in the country. The AMA will vote on endorsing Cannabis in November. To the best of my knowledge, that pretty much takes in ALL physicians in this country. For more REAL information and Testimonies from REAL people, check out these sites. www.cannabistv.net and www.cannabispatient.net . Many, many more great sites out there. It’s not that hard to find the truth. “First, do no harm”, Doctor. When you suppress or subvert vitally important information from the chronically ill, you harm them. Mark Pedersen Cannabis Patient Network So much old information about Cannabis. And when I say old, I mean decades old. Most, upwards of 70 years old. I don't know how anyone who calls themselves a physician would be so neglectful of the CURRENT science, even if the cameras ARE rolling.
Cutting-edge Information about the therapeutic use of Cannabis is, unfortunately, contained in the minds and databases of apparently a very small few. It's time America learns the truth. People's lives hang in the balance. We can’t wait for the news media to get a conscience.

We have a video by Dr. Denis Petro, consulting Neurologist for the Multiple Sclerosis Patients Union that was taken in December of 2003. In it, he talks about his 20 years worth of research on medicinal cannabis and no less than 7 documented clinical studies that demonstrate the medical benefits of cannabis.
Petro, whose research regarding Cannabis spans over 25 years, is frustrated by our government and media's refusal to recognize what other countries the world over already accept for years, Cannabis is real medicine.
"Drug companies only want to do research on something that will bring money down the road." Concluded Petro. Might I add, physicians tied to news agencies appear to be umbilically tied to pharmaceutical company propaganda. Seems all they can spew are half-truths and out-right lies.
I have personally interviewed hundreds from all over this country who use "smoked" cannabis medicinally. Some for as much as 45 years. I currently have over 70 interviews on YouTube and the numbers are growing daily. Please feel free to watch them. Their stories are real and first person. http://www.youtube.com/cannabispatientnet

Yes, smoking cannabis can irritate the lungs. Let's clarify, "irritate". God, how I hate half-truths...and it seems, CNN's medical advisers are full of them!
Any medicine that irritates lung tissue can be dangerous for someone whose respiratory system is already compromised. But, if you remove or dramatically reduce the irritant(s), the end product can not only be safe, it can provide freedom from pain and help the body to heal and fight disease. Stop throwing out the baby with the bath water!
Vaporization of Cannabis has been endorsed by physicians the world over, as well as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. They consider Cannabis to be so important that they maintain a twenty person task force, made up of distinguished Dr’s, RN’s, MD’s, and PHD’s.
Other organizations that have recognized Cannabis as medicine include the American College of Physicians, the second largest physician organization in the country, and the Medical Student Section of the American Medical Association, a branch of the largest medical association in the country. The AMA will vote on endorsing Cannabis in November.
To the best of my knowledge, that pretty much takes in ALL physicians in this country.

For more REAL information and Testimonies from REAL people, check out these sites.
http://www.cannabistv.net and http://www.cannabispatient.net . Many, many more great sites out there. It’s not that hard to find the truth.

“First, do no harm”, Doctor. When you suppress or subvert vitally important information from the chronically ill, you harm them.

Mark Pedersen
Cannabis Patient Network

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