Studies have revealed that young pot smokers will likely smoke cigarettes too. Exposure to THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, can increase the addictive properties of nicotine. Neuropsychopharmacology, suggests previous cannabis use may make people more vulnerable to nicotine dependence and tobacco-related diseases.
Drug use will most likely lead to cigarette use
The interesting thing about this study is that cigarettes have been considered a ‘gateway’ to other drugs but the truth is that the use of any drugs can lead to nicotine addiction. Dr. Steven Goldberg, of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland, and his colleagues tested whether exposing rats to THC would make them more likely to self-administer nicotine. For three days, one group was given twice daily injections of the chemical while another received an equivalent dose of an inactive placebo.
A week after their final dose the rats were trained to work for intravenous injections of nicotine. Those previously given THC were far more likely to self-administer nicotine than the others, the researchers found. Plus, the THC-exposed rats were prepared to work much harder to obtain nicotine than the control group, suggesting the value of nicotine was far greater after THC exposure.
Pot Smokers are more susceptible to Cigarettes
The research suggests lasting effects of THC may make marijuana users more susceptible to the addictive effects of tobacco. Dr. Goldberg said: “Tobacco is considered a gateway drug because its use tends to precede the use of other drugs. However, there is epidemiological evidence that cannabis use develops prior to tobacco use in a substantial number of cases, and cannabis use by teenagers increases the likelihood of developing tobacco dependence when they reach young adulthood.”
Previous studies out of Australia where there were 2500 young people tested indicated that those who smoked cannabis daily for at least a month were four times more likely to become addicted to nicotine by the time they reached their 20s. But no matter what your drug of choice is, there is help and support out there for you. Get help today before you waste any more time or life.