[Addictive inhalants-A challenge for the lungs].

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Toxicology
• Public Health

Context:

• Inhaled psychotropic substance use is prevalent, including tobacco, e-cigarettes, cannabis, cocaine, and heroin.
• While tobacco's lung effects are known, data on other inhaled substances is limited.
• Novel products like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco lack independent, standardized health risk data.

Purpose:

• To review the current scientific evidence on the health effects of various inhaled psychotropic substances on the lungs and respiratory tract.
• To identify knowledge gaps regarding novel inhaled products and cannabis use.
• To highlight documented lung damage from inhaled cocaine and heroin.

Summary:

• Evidence on the respiratory health impacts of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products is insufficient.
• Long-term effects of cannabis inhalation on lung health remain unclear.
• Extensive and chronic inhalation of cocaine and heroin demonstrably causes significant lung damage.

Impact:

• Highlights the urgent need for standardized, independent research on novel inhaled substances.
• Informs public health strategies regarding the risks of widespread psychotropic substance inhalation.
• Underscores the severe pulmonary consequences of chronic cocaine and heroin use.