Combining methamphetamine and cannabis was linked to more severe asthma attacks requiring intubation | Research

The takeaway

Among 167 patients hospitalized for asthma, those positive for both methamphetamine and cannabis had significantly higher rates of intubation and status asthmaticus.

Pulmonologists, emergency physicians, asthma management clinicians

Meth + cannabis co-use: increased intubation (p = .020) and status asthmaticus (p = .032)

What the researchers 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).

Why it 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 numbers in context

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 the study worked

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.

What this study cannot tell us

Small sample. Single center. Retrospective. Urine screens detect recent use, not timing relative to exacerbation.

How to read the evidence

Hypothesis-generating retrospective study with small subgroups, but the specific synergistic harm finding is clinically important.

When this study was published

2026 publication using 2013-2023 data

The bigger picture

Substance use is common among asthma patients but rarely addressed systematically. Polysubstance patterns, not just individual substances, may determine severity.

Questions still open

What is the mechanism? Would addressing substance use in asthma management plans improve outcomes?

Common 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.

Read the original research

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

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

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