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By Derek Abma

Light to moderate marijuana smokers show no signs of lung damage, in contrast to cigarette smokers, according to results of a study conducted in the United States.

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A report to be published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that, over a 20-year period, pot smokers generally did not experience a loss in lung functioning. Many actually had enhanced lung capacity, which one researcher involved in the study speculated might come from the common practice of holding one’s breath after inhaling cannabis smoke to maximize its intoxicating effects.

On the other hand, cigarette smokers were found to have less capacity in the amount of air they could exhale, and also in the speed at which they could empty the air from their lungs.

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The study included more than 5,000 people in the U.S., who were assessed between 1986 and 2006.

“Marijuana may have beneficial effects on pain control, appetite, mood and management of other chronic symptoms,” researchers from the University of California, University of Alabama and Northwestern University said in a statement. “Our findings suggest that occasional use of marijuana for these or other purposes may not be associated with adverse consequences on pulmonary function.”