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Buzzby

For years I've seen people posting about the dangers of smoking out of anything aluminum because it somehow causes Alzheimer's Disease. This has no basis in fact.

Back in the 60s, scientists dissecting the brains of deceased Alzheimer's patients discovered plaques and tangles, structural abnormalities associated with the disease. Analysis of these structures revealed that they had a higher concentration of aluminum than normal brain tissue. Some people jumped to the conclusion that there was a causal relationship between the ingestion of aluminum and the development of the disease. Others made the leap to Alzheimer's being caused by smoking weed out of aluminum paraphernalia.

There has been no scientific support for these conclusions. The Alzheimer's Society says:

A number of environmental factors have been put forward as possible contributory causes of Alzheimer's disease in some people. Among these is aluminium. There is circumstantial evidence linking this metal with Alzheimer's disease but no causal relationship has yet been proved. As evidence for other causes continues to grow, a possible link with aluminium seems increasingly unlikely. This information sheet looks at the circumstantial evidence and current medical and scientific views. [link]

I still wouldn't smoke out of pop cans, though. While the aluminum may not be a problem, God knows what's in the inks they use to print the outside of the can.

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Feorge Gorman

Way to research Buzzby!

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feorge

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steakii

Just because it doesnt cause Alzheimer's doesnt mean its safe to smoke from. Plus marijuana is thought to slow the rate of alzheimer's, so it shouldnt be a concern to smokers.

Take a sheet of aluminum foil hold it by one corner and put a lighter to another end. I did that a few weeks ago and it convinced me never to use aluminum ever again to smoke from. It curls up and turns black among other things.

Buzzby

Please tell us why you think it's not safe to smoke from. Aluminum isn't toxic. We interact with aluminum all the time. It's present in food. It's present in antacids. It's the active ingredient in most antiperspirants. The human body is extremely efficient in eliminating excess aluminum.

What has that got to do with smoking from aluminum not being good for you?

It's interesting how people hold on to their myths, even when presented with evidence to the contrary. This is why we have such a hard time changing the minds of the people indoctrinated by the government with anti-marijuana propaganda.

Knobley

I've smoked out of aluminum bowls a few times in desperation. Only thing I noticed was a certain 'tinny' taste, but that is to be expected. It does seem like it can't be great to ingest, but I guess there isn't that much evidence for it? Either way I rarely use aluminum. Almost always glass or papers for me!

 

troublemaker_42

I'll still be refraining from using aluminum for anything to do with smoking. Even if it IS 100% healthy (which I'm still not entirely convinced of...call me a skeptic) it has given me headaches and made my weed taste like shit every time I've ever used it for smoking purposes. Since I don't enjoy shitty tasting weed or throbbing headaches, I'd rather not smoke than be forced to smoke out of aluminum. It may not be toxic, but somethiong causes those headaches. Maybe I'm sensitive to the substance or something, but pain is enough of a inspiration for me to avoid aluminum completely. Also, who is to say that it IS safe? Just because its found in foods and whatnot doesn't mean its safe to heat and inahle into our lungs.

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ADIDAS

Last time I smoked out of a can was in high school, only my second or third time smoking. Damnnn I was sooo fucked up, Thanks Aluminum!

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Buzzby

The power of suggestion?

steakii

Well the truth is i dont really know. I like to go with the better safe than sorry mentality. It gives your weed a funny taste which in my mind means you are inhaling larger quantities than normal of aluminum. I know aluminum is found in almost every thing we put into our bodies including air, i still am just weary to smoke from it.

SpiralArchitect

Better safe than sorry indeed.

I never believed the myth that it caused Alheimers, alot of stoners like to just make up shit, as we all know.

However I can honestly say it isn't safe to smoke out of. As TM_42 put it ; "Also, who is to say that it IS safe? Just because its found in foods and whatnot doesn't mean its safe to heat and inahle into our lungs."

It's true if you hold a lighter up to some aluminum the terrible odors and black smoke coming out of it are absolutely horrendous, tin foil actually burns rather easily, those are the last things I want to be inhaling in terms of my health.

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