Smoking Effects of Marijuana and Cigarette on Blood Chemistry, Hematology and Plasma Dopamine Levels in Young Adults
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Date
2018-06-22
Authors
Ebuehi, O.A.T.
Ukwade, C.E.
Adegbola, O.T.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Asian Journal of Medicine and Health
Abstract
Aim: Smoking is an increasing problem in public health world-wide. Smoke from marijuana and
cigarette have been shown to contain many toxins. This study investigated the effect of marijuana
and cigarette smoking on hematology, blood chemistry and plasma dopamine level of smokers in
comparison to non-smokers.
Materials and Methods: Blood samples were taken from thirty randomly selected Nigerian male
and female non-smokers (control) and thirty smokers each. Analytical biochemical procedures and
standard Randox diagnostic kits were used to determine the blood chemistry, hematology,
electrolytes and plasma dopamine level of smokers and non–smokers.
Results: The completely randomized design study revealed no significant (p>0.05) difference in the
blood chemistry, hematological parameters, electrolytes and plasma dopamine levels between the
test and control subjects. Though within normal range, the values observed for total leucocytes were
marginally higher in the cigarette smoking test subjects, while marginally lower in marijuana smoking test subjects when compared to the control (non-smokers). PCV and hemoglobin were marginally
higher in all the test subject. Dopamine levels were marginally higher in all test subjects when
compared to control.
Conclusion: This study showed that smoking of cigarette and marijuana marginally effected
hemoglobin, PCV, leukocyte count and dopamine. The marginally lower leucocytes in marijuana
smoking test subjects is an indication that cannabinoid, the psychoactive substance contained in
marijuana, may reduce immune responses in marijuana users.
Description
Keywords
Research Subject Categories::NATURAL SCIENCES::Chemistry::Biochemistry , Marijuana , cigarette , blood chemistry , hematology , electrolytes , dopamine , humans
Citation
O. A. T. Ebuehi, C. E. Ukwade and O. T. Adegbola. 12(1): 1-6, 2018; Article no.AJMAH.41637 (2018)