Department of Psychology, University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
Int J Drug Policy. 2010 Nov;21(6):511-3. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2010.04.001. Epub 2010 May 6.
Debates about cannabis policy often mention respiratory symptoms as a negative consequence of use. The cannabis vaporizer, a machine that heats the plant to release cannabinoids in a mist without smoke and other respiratory irritants, appears to have the potential to minimize respiratory complaints.
Twenty frequent cannabis users (uninterested in treatment) reporting at least two respiratory symptoms completed subjective ratings of respiratory symptoms and spirometry measures prior to and following 1 month's use of a cannabis vaporizer in a pre/post-design. Outcome measures included self-reported severity of nine respiratory symptoms as well as spirometry measures, including the maximum amount of air exhaled in 1s (forced expiratory volume; FEV1) and maximum total lung volume (forced vital capacity; FVC).
The 12 participants who did not develop a respiratory illness during the trial significantly improved respiratory symptoms (t(11)=6.22, p=0.000065, d=3.75) and FVC, t(11)=2.90, p=0.007, d=1.75. FEV1 improved but not significantly t(11)=1.77, p=0.053, d=1.07.
These preliminary data reveal meaningful improvements in respiratory function, suggesting that a randomized clinical trial of the cannabis vaporizer is warranted. The vaporizer has potential for the administration of medical cannabis and as a harm reduction technique.
关于大麻政策的争论经常提到使用大麻会导致呼吸道症状。大麻蒸发器是一种将植物加热以释放大麻素的机器，不会产生烟雾和其他呼吸道刺激物，似乎有潜力最大限度地减少呼吸道投诉。
20 名经常使用大麻的使用者（对治疗不感兴趣）报告至少有两种呼吸道症状，在使用大麻蒸发器 1 个月前后，使用前/后设计完成了呼吸道症状的主观评分和肺活量测量。结果包括 9 种呼吸道症状的自我报告严重程度以及肺活量测量，包括 1 秒内呼出的最大空气量（用力呼气量；FEV1）和最大总肺容量（用力肺活量；FVC）。
在试验过程中未患呼吸道疾病的 12 名参与者的呼吸道症状（t(11)=6.22, p=0.000065, d=3.75）和 FVC 显著改善，t(11)=2.90, p=0.007, d=1.75。FEV1 也有所改善，但不显著 t(11)=1.77, p=0.053, d=1.07。
这些初步数据显示呼吸功能有明显改善，表明有必要对大麻蒸发器进行随机临床试验。蒸发器有可能用于医用大麻的给药和减少伤害的技术。
