Can Smoking Weed Cause Swollen Lymph Nodes? (Answered)

Smoler may wonder: can smoking weed cause swollen lymph nodes? Yes, but hitting a bong isn’t the only way you can get swollen lymph nodes.

Lymph nodes are small bean-like structures that are an important part of our immune system. They can be found in various parts of the body, such as the neck and armpits. One of their functions is to help us fight infections. They can alert us that something is wrong.

Swollen lymph nodes are a sign of infection or other illness. There are rumors in the Stoner community that smoking weed can cause swollen lymph nodes. Here’s all the key information about smoking and swollen lymph nodes, keep reaing!

Table of Contents

Symptoms of Swollen Lymph Nodes

While the symptoms of Swollen Lymph Nodes can vary widely, the American Cancer Society reports that some of the most common symptoms include:

● Painless swelling of lymph nodes

● Persistent, unexplained fatigue

● Loss of appetite or getting full quickly

● Unexplained weight loss

● Cough and/or chest pain

● Abdominal pain

● Bloating or feeling full

● Itching unrelated to any other condition

● Enlarged spleen or liver

● A rash or bump under the skin

Can Weed Cause Swollen Lymph Nodes?

Swollen lymph nodes can have a variety of causes, but according to the Mayo Clinic, swollen lymph nodes are due to a bacterial or viral infection. In addition to this, swollen lymph nodes can be caused by cancer, but this is rare.

However, masons on Reddit said they developed swollen lymph nodes after using the weed. One user said they had strep throat, which causes swollen lymph nodes. After they recovered and started using marijuana again, they said: “Every time I smoke, before I finish the bowl, the lymph nodes in my neck swell up. I start to feel like they’re blocking my throat. They keep going And so on until the next day.” They noted that they were heavy smokers in the past.

There is also a case study of a mason with swollen lymph nodes. According to the case study, the 22-year-old patient had smoked three times a week for the past three years. They don’t smoke. In addition to swollen lymph nodes, the patient also presented with a sore throat and fatigue. After testing, it was concluded that they had a rare form of small cell lung cancer.

As you can see, in this case, the patient has cancer, which may explain the swollen lymph nodes.

Smoking and Swollen Lymph Nodes

In the above two cases, the smoker who reported swollen lymph nodes was a heavy smoker.

Interestingly, one study linked heavy smoking to swollen lymph nodes. A 2011 comparative study found that heavy smokers had higher rates of lymphadenopathy. Mediastinal lymphadenopathy was found in 52% of the smokers in the study. Among other things, the study noted, “airway wall thickening and emphysema are often associated with increased numbers of enlarged lymph nodes.”

Although the study focused on cigarette smoke rather than weed smoke, the components of the two types of smoke are similar.

Research is needed to find out why swollen lymph nodes are associated with smoking.

Can Other Drugs Cause Swollen Lymph Nodes?

Yes, smoking marijuana isn’t the only way you can get swollen lymph nodes. In fact, the American Center for Addiction states that “chronic substance abuse of any type can lead to disruptions in the efficiency of the lymphatic system.”

The reasons behind it are:

Lack of focus on self-care
The direct action of the drug itself,
Effects of substances added to medicines

Below are more detailed ways some drugs can cause swollen lymph nodes.

Lymph node blockage

In addition to this, the American Addiction Center says other drugs can also cause blockages in the lymph nodes, which can lead to swelling. In addition to this, the drug can also cause infection or cancer, which can lead to swollen lymph nodes. Let’s look at a few examples.

Drugs, especially after injection, can cause severe scarring in the veins and lymphatic system, according to the American Addiction Center. As a result, the lymphatic vessels may become blocked, causing the lymph nodes to swell.

Cancer

Certain drugs can cause cancer and cause swollen lymph nodes. For example, alcohol can introduce carcinogens, and increase the production of estrogen and free radicals. By doing this, alcohol can cause cancer. Additionally, synthetic marijuana may also contain carcinogens, so using it may cause cancer, which can lead to swollen lymph nodes.

Increased Risk of Infection

In terms of increased risk of infection, drugs such as cocaine can negatively affect the immune system. According to the American Addiction Center: “Chronic cocaine abuse suppresses the glands that produce immune cells, T lymphocytes, which attack foreign invaders. If your T lymphocytes are low, it means you will be vulnerable to bacteria. and viral infections. Both conditions can cause swollen lymph nodes.

FAQs

Can Smoking Cause Enlarged Lymph Nodes?

An increased number of enlarged nodes was frequently linked to emphysema and thickening of the airway walls. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes may occur in a rather high percentage of heavy smokers, especially in those with a severe bronchitis was discovered by MDCT.

Can Drugs Cause Swollen Lymph Nodes?

Enlargement of lymph-nodes was found significantly more often in active drug addicts compared to normals except for the nodes on the neck. For 42% of addicts, portal lymph nodes, for 18% of them, lung hilus nodes, and 12% of axillary nodes contained birefringent material.

What Triggers Swollen Lymph Nodes?

Swollen lymph nodes usually occur as a result of infection from bacteria or viruses. On occasion, cancer can cause swollen lymph nodes. Your body’s capacity to fight off infections is significantly influenced by your lymph nodes, also known as lymph glands.

Conclusion

Can smoking weed cause swollen lymph nodes? It looks like this. We’re not sure how they’re connected, but many addicts complain about it. We have a lot of questions about this, like why this is happening and whether smoke is the culprit. We’re not sure why this happened, other than in one case where cancer seemed to be causing the swelling.

Hopefully, research will shed more light on this. We also think the use of other drugs is associated with enlarged lymph nodes, which is interesting. However, there are more specific reasons. If you notice swollen lymph nodes after smoking marijuana, you may need to see your doctor for answers.