Dear Dr. Donohue As marijuana smoking is quite popular, I would like to know what effect its smoke has on the lungs of the user. Having been part of the police department and being aware that users inhale and keep the smoke in their lungs for quite a while, it seems that this practice could be damaging. Is a marijuana cigarette more harmful than a nicotine cigarette? Answer It's almost intuitive that deeply inhaling a substance that has more than 150 compounds in it, as marijuana has, is not going to be a health boon for the lungs. The pleasant feeling, giddiness and relaxation that are the attraction of smoking marijuana come from tetrahydrocannabinol, THC. What the other 149 compounds do isn't known with great certainty. [continues 265 words]
Dear Dr. Donohue: I am a very healthy 36-year-old man who was diagnosed with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus at age 2. Because of this, my urine is dilute. Recently I had to undergo a mandatory drug test. The test results came back as being diluted, and I was accused of drinking a lot of water in order to pass the test. My explanation has fallen on deaf ears. Is there any medicine I can take to stop the dilution? M.M. [continues 237 words]
