Max Manci

Biology Instructor at LA Pierce College. Lover of science, television, food, and Brie. Any views expressed are my own.
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[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

Let's put greenhouses in gyms. Plants could actively replace the CO2 and thrive in the sweaty heat, and humans can enjoy the greenery and fresh air. We'll call them JUNGLE GYMS. 😀

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

@LungAssociation please update your "Marijuana and Lung Health" page so that it more accurately cites this important source. I strongly value and appreciate the work you do to promote public health, and I hope folks can continue to look to you for trustworthy information.

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

In this particular case, the entire context of the summary is changed by a single word: "-only". They were marijuana smokers, not marijuana-only smokers. The American Lung Association is careful in their other citations to include context and caveats -- it's also needed here.

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

To readers: this isn't intended as a harsh critique of the American Lung Association, and it's certainly not a critique of the research authors. This story simply illustrates why fact-checking is so important. When primary literature is cited, see what it actually says!

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

With all the talk of smoking regaining popularity and the unfortunate news of David Lynch's emphysema, I went on a quick dive and landed on the American Lung Association's page "Marijuana and Lung Health". I discovered one of their most critical sources is cited incorrectly. 🧵

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

With this in mind, the results of the study actually make sense. Smoking both marijuana AND tobacco seems to carry a higher risk than smoking tobacco alone. Reasonable and important data! And not at all what is implied by the American Lung Association's summary of the article.

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

And there it is, under Patient Characteristics: "There were 50 of 56 marijuana smokers who also smoked tobacco." So... 89%. There was NO marijuana-only group. While still inaccurate, there was essentially a marijuana + tobacco group, a tobacco-only group, and a control group.

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

Concomitant cigarette smoking?? That could certainly skew results. But let's check -- maybe only a handful of the marijuana-smokers also smoked cigarettes. To know for sure, we'll have to scroll down to the results section.

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

Let's first skip to the study's conclusion. See if you can spot the problem. "Airway inflammation and emphysema were more common in marijuana smokers... although... concomitant cigarette smoking among the marijuana-smoking cohort limits our ability to draw strong conclusions."

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

But wait! Let's actually look at the study they're citing. Because in my mind, if this is true, I'm immediately evangelizing my friends, my students, and everyone I know to stop smoking cannabis. So let's fact check! https://t.co/4sUWMtXbM9

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

This suggests they looked at lung CT scans for 3 groups: people who smoke ONLY marijuana, people who smoke ONLY tobacco, and a control group that doesn't smoke. And (presumably) they found that marijuana smokers had the highest rates of emphysema! This shocked me.

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

The American Lung Association's page states: "... retrospective analyses of CT chest scans showed that marijuana-only smokers had greater airway thickening and inflammation as well as emphysema compared to both nonsmokers and tobacco-only smokers." https://t.co/lbZZw235Gu

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

My aim was to determine whether smoking marijuana long-term carries a similar risk for developing emphysema as smoking cigarettes. Obviously, smoking of any kind isn't healthy, but I wanted to fact-check my assumption that smoking cannabis is "safer" in this particular regard.

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

@illk12z Thank you JP!! 😭 Out here trying to be the next Lynch/Diaz/McFarland, we really learned from the greats

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

Finished my PhD, had top surgery, and (drumroll) got a tenure-track teaching position! 🤩

[Jacy, LPC | the TRAUMA queen @ATMwithJacy]

BRAG ABOUT SOMETHING YOU’RE PROUD OF ACCOMPLISHING IN 2023 ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

[joel sachs @SachsLab]

Proud PhD papa! Great job ⁦@ac_arafat⁩ & ⁦@Super_Manci⁩!!!!!

[joel sachs @SachsLab]

😎💪🏽🙌I’m so proud of @Super_Manci and @ac_arafat. BOTH are newly minted PhDs today🥳👏🏻🤪

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

@ac_arafat Congrats, Arafat!! So happy for you!

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

Staying up late writing on the couch, then finally crashing to bed to find @BriennaPorter, also still awake, also writing. For one, a dissertation; for another, a screenplay. Two night owl writers in love. ❤️

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

@AlexDainis Happy happy birthday, Alex! ❤️

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

Fingers crossed we don't make it 3/3 on the so-called tripledemic.

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

For those who may have heard that RSV is "not that serious" for young adults, let this be a warning. In the scope of just over 24 hours, it has completely knocked me out, body and mind. Watch out and be safe. And for the love of god, stay home if you feel the slightest bit ill.

[Max Manci @Super_Manci]

This is coming from someone who had covid not 2 weeks ago. I know it's different for everyone (esp with covid vaccination) but this feels worse.