For many people, smoking bhang is seen as a way to relax, socialise, or temporarily escape stress.

Some users even believe it is “safer” than cigarettes.

However, medical experts warn that regularly inhaling bhang smoke can still affect the lungs in several ways, especially when smoking becomes frequent over many years.

While research on cannabis continues to grow globally, health organisations agree on one thing: inhaling any form of smoke is not harmless to the lungs.

The lungs were designed for clean air

The lungs are delicate organs filled with tiny air sacs known as alveoli.

These air sacs help oxygen enter the bloodstream while removing carbon dioxide from the body.

When someone smokes bhang, hot smoke and chemicals travel directly into these airways.

Over time, repeated exposure can irritate and inflame lung tissue, making breathing less efficient.

Persistent coughing and mucus buildup

One of the most common effects reported among regular bhang smokers is chronic coughing.

Some users wake up coughing heavily, especially in the morning.

Medical experts say this happens because smoke irritates the lining of the airways, triggering the body to produce more mucus.

The lungs attempt to trap and remove harmful particles, leading to repeated coughing and throat clearing.

In many cases, users may dismiss the symptoms as “normal smoker’s cough,” yet it may indicate ongoing airway irritation.

Breathing can become more difficult

Smoking bhang may also narrow or inflame the airways temporarily, making breathing harder. Some users experience:

• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty exercising

This is partly because cannabis smoke contains many of the same irritants and toxic substances found in tobacco smoke.

Damage to lung tissue

Long term smoking may gradually damage the structure of the lungs themselves.

Studies suggest that repeated inhalation of cannabis smoke can lead to inflammation, scarring, and injury to small blood vessels inside the lungs.

Some heavy users develop enlarged air pockets known as bullae, which can reduce normal lung function and in severe cases contribute to collapsed lungs.

Holding smoke in the lungs increases exposure

Unlike many cigarette smokers, some bhang users inhale deeply and hold smoke inside the lungs for longer periods believing it increases the effect.

Health experts warn that this behaviour may expose lung tissue to more tar and harmful chemicals for longer durations.

Increased risk of bronchitis

Regular bhang smoking has been linked to chronic bronchitis, a condition where the airways remain inflamed over long periods.

Symptoms may include:

• Daily cough
• Excess mucus
• Wheezing
• Chest discomfort

The condition may improve if smoking stops, especially in younger users before permanent damage develops.

What about lung cancer?

Research on cannabis and lung cancer is still ongoing.

Scientists say more long term studies are needed because cannabis research has historically been limited in many countries.

However, experts note that cannabis smoke contains carcinogens and toxic compounds similar to those found in tobacco smoke.

This is why many lung specialists caution against assuming bhang smoke is harmless simply because it comes from a plant.

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