Combining methamphetamine and cannabis was linked to more severe asthma attacks requiring intubation
Among 167 patients hospitalized for asthma, those positive for both methamphetamine and cannabis had significantly higher rates of intubation and status asthmaticus.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Methamphetamine use alone showed a trend toward mechanical ventilation but was not significant. Co-positive methamphetamine and cannabis screens were significantly associated with increased intubation (p = .020) and status asthmaticus (p = .032). Any positive drug screen was associated with more ICU admissions (p = .022).
Key Numbers
167 patients, 201 hospitalizations. 61.1% positive drug screens. 16.8% methamphetamine, 31.7% cannabis. Meth + cannabis: increased intubation (p = .020) and status asthmaticus (p = .032).
How They Did This
Retrospective review of 167 patients (201 hospitalizations) admitted for asthma with urine drug screens at a single center (2013-2023). Outcomes: hospital stay, mechanical ventilation, ICU admission, fatal exacerbation.
Why This Research Matters
This is one of the first studies to examine the combined respiratory impact of methamphetamine and cannabis. The finding that co-use produces worse asthma outcomes than either alone has direct clinical implications.
The Bigger Picture
Substance use is common among asthma patients but rarely addressed systematically. Polysubstance patterns, not just individual substances, may determine severity.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small sample. Single center. Retrospective. Urine screens detect recent use, not timing relative to exacerbation.
Questions This Raises
- ?What is the mechanism?
- ?Would addressing substance use in asthma management plans improve outcomes?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Meth + cannabis co-use: increased intubation (p = .020) and status asthmaticus (p = .032)
- Evidence Grade:
- Hypothesis-generating retrospective study with small subgroups, but the specific synergistic harm finding is clinically important.
- Study Age:
- 2026 publication using 2013-2023 data
- Original Title:
- Joint Association of Methamphetamine and Cannabis Use as Risk Factors for Asthma Exacerbations Requiring Hospitalization: A Retrospective Analysis.
- Published In:
- The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice, 14(1), 185-195 (2026)
- Authors:
- Musa, Amal M, Poole, Jill A, Sayles, Harlan R, Rorie, Andrew C
- Database ID:
- RTHC-08513
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis make asthma worse?
This study found the most severe outcomes occurred when cannabis was combined with methamphetamine. The independent effect of cannabis on asthma was not the primary focus.
Why would combining these substances worsen asthma?
Both can irritate airways (especially smoked) and methamphetamine causes bronchospasm. Their combined effects may be additive or synergistic.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-08513APA
Musa, Amal M; Poole, Jill A; Sayles, Harlan R; Rorie, Andrew C. (2026). Joint Association of Methamphetamine and Cannabis Use as Risk Factors for Asthma Exacerbations Requiring Hospitalization: A Retrospective Analysis.. The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice, 14(1), 185-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2025.10.006
MLA
Musa, Amal M, et al. "Joint Association of Methamphetamine and Cannabis Use as Risk Factors for Asthma Exacerbations Requiring Hospitalization: A Retrospective Analysis.." The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2025.10.006
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Joint Association of Methamphetamine and Cannabis Use as Ris..." RTHC-08513. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/musa-2026-joint-association-of-methamphetamine
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.