While it may seem obvious, smoking moldy weed may pose some health risks, particularly to the lungs. The fact that vapes and concentrates may bring some of the same risks is less clear. Fortunately, the best preventative medicine is knowledge.
We’ll go through the effects, risks and treatment of smoking moldy pot, how to recognise moldy weed, and how to avoid smoking it altogether.
Why Mold Happens on Weed
Mold growth can be aided by exposing cannabis to light, humidity, oxygen, and inappropriate temperature. Plant injuries might increase the likelihood of mold forming on the weed. If the temperatures are too low, moisture exposure might lead to mold growth.
Mold growth can also be aided by overwatering or leaving your plant in extremely humid conditions. Mold can also be caused by improper cannabis curing and storage.
What Are the Effects of Smoking Moldy Weed?
One of the most unsettling aspects of what happens when you smoke moldy pot is that it affects people differently based on their body, health, environment, and a variety of other factors.
If you’re generally healthy, moldy weed won’t be a major threat to your health – but you’ll still have unpleasant symptoms like excessive coughing, wheezing, lung irritation, or nausea, and you’re still at risk of experiencing life-threatening symptoms.
Smoking moldy weed, on the other hand, can have very serious health repercussions if you are immunocompromised, have pre-existing lung ailments, or are allergic to mold.
The certain fungus can trigger serious infections in the lungs and brain. It’s worth mentioning that the number of incidents in which someone smoked moldy pot and had a brain infection is small, but smoking a moldy pot is never a smart idea.
Are There Risks to Smoking Moldy Weed
Coughing and throat soreness, whether mild or severe, should be considered warning indications to reduce smoking, whether mold is suspected or not. Mold is not the only thing that can produce these symptoms, so cut back on your cannabis consumption if you have a hacking cough or a burning throat.
Smoking moldy weed may also cause more significant symptoms. “Those who are extremely sensitive or allergic to mold may face serious problems with a fungal infection in the throat and lungs,” said Bone.
When your immune system does not respond effectively to this match, you may develop a dangerous lung infection. Furthermore, the moldy pot’s mycotoxins and endotoxins can make you sick.
Mycotoxins are substances that adhere to the surface of mold spores. They can seriously harm your health, and the risk increases for people who are routinely exposed to these chemicals.
Endotoxins, on the other hand, are chemicals that are released by deceased bacteria. Endotoxins and molds are often found together. As a result, the entire exposure is superficially irritating. Endotoxins can aggravate asthma symptoms. Furthermore, they are the principal causes of lung inflammation.
How to Avoid Moldy Pot
First and foremost, get cannabis from a legal dispensary and be cautious of the source of each product you consume. Bone recommends knowing the source of the things you buy and ensuring that they have been tested for mold, which is white and powdery. Trichomes and mold can be confused, but a closer inspection reveals that the latter is much smaller.
Examining cannabis with a microscope or black light might help you identify the distinction between mold and trichomes. The telltale green glow on moldy cannabis will be revealed under black light in particular. Moldy weed can be seen with the naked eye in the form of fluff, patches, and slime.
There is no guarantee that a batch of mold-free cannabis would not develop moldy in the future. Proper cannabis storage is essential for keeping it fresh and mold-free. Avoid excessive light and moisture, and keep your cannabis well wrapped in a container. Fresh cannabis is sensitive to humidity, so store it in a cool area but do not refrigerate it.
Prevention of Mold in Weed
Mold not only bothers consumers, but it also has an impact on growers. It is critical to detect mold early on while growing weeds in order to save the crop. While you must destroy the sick plants, you can save others by acting quickly.
A microscope can efficiently help you discover mold accumulation in the early stages, which can help you prevent mold spread in your plants. However, it is also advised to investigate the top seed banks in order to obtain high-quality weed seeds.
When your buds are completely covered, you will most likely have no choice but to uproot the plant because the spores have been discharged and the illness has spread throughout the plant. Aside from examination, you need also to have a basic awareness of humidity, growing conditions, and temperature.
Finally, keep in mind that molds must be avoided at all times, not just during the harvesting process. These organisms are attracted to weeds throughout the cutting, drying, and clipping processes.
When it comes to marijuana, the only time you can be certain that it is mold-free is when you consume it. As a result, keep an eye on your plants and take preventive actions to reduce the likelihood of mold spreading.
Mold can grow on cannabis flowers if they are stored in a warm environment with limited airflow or for an extended period of time.
It is generally not safe to smoke moldy weed, though it will cause nausea, vomiting, and/or coughing in healthy people. If you have asthma or a respiratory problem, a mold allergy, or an autoimmune illness, a fungus infection caused by moldy weed could be dangerous to your health.
Even if you’re in good health, we don’t recommend keeping the moldy weed. It’s preferable to avoid moldy cannabis in the first place by storing it properly. Weed should be stored in a cold, dry place away from direct sunlight, and moisture control packets should be used to maintain the proper quantity of moisture in the container.
We hope this was helpful! Remember that even the greatest quality items can become moldy if preventive procedures are not followed. As a result, be cautious so that mold does not block your stoning experience.
