Cannabis

[Freezeframe]

I am currently SI cyanocobalamin 2x monthly. I understand that if you smoke you should not use this form of injectable. My question .... I vape cannabis in the evenings. It helps me with relation and sleep. It’s legal here in California. Does anyone know if it has the same effects on the b12 that smoking tobacco has ?

[Nackapan]

I've not come across when reading anything that says cannabis interacts with b12. Not sure if research had been done on that.

If it's legal where yoh are there should be no problem asking the pharmacist.

Just dont drink alcohol as well!!

[Freezeframe in reply to Nackapan]

About a year before being diagnosed I started having problems with drinking any alcohol. It makes me sick so I never will drink again !

[Nackapan in reply to Freezeframe]

Oh that sounds horrible. So not a problem!!

I've not had any alcohol since getting ill.

Cant say I'll never have it again though as I used to enjoy a glass of wine.

[fbirder]

I don't think that smoking and cyanocobalamin are a problem - veganhealth.org/smokers-and...

However, when smoking cannabis you do tend to inhale deeper and hold it in longer than when smoking tobacco, so any cyanide present will be better absorbed. And some studies have suggested that cannabis smoke contains more cyanide than tobacco smoke. theguardian.com/society/200...

If I were worried about it I would inject first thing in the morning (having not smoked overnight). The half-life of cyanide is abound 30 minutes to 1 hour. That means that 8 hours after smoking your cyanide levels will have dropped to one-quarter of one percent of their initial level immediately after smoking.

[Foggyme Administrator]

Freezeframe. Whilst smoking does not appear to present issues to the potential absorption and excretion of cobalamin (as per fbirder 's reply) there are other potential issues to consider 😉.

Smokers can develop a condition called tobacco amblyopia, (also called toxic-nutritional optic neuropathy), which is marked by a gradual impairment of vision and characterised by hindered central vision and impaired visual field defects. Certainly, in the presence of this condition, cyanocobalamin should not be used (and some would argue that because of the potential for smokers to develop this condition, cyanocobalamin should be avoided).

The treatment prescribed for this condition, as per the BNF is with intensive treatment with Hydroxocobalamin injections (because cyanide binds B12 and so can be excreted from the body).

Tobacco amblyopia

By intramuscular injection

For Adult

Initially 1 mg daily for 2 weeks, then 1 mg twice weekly until no further improvement, then 1 mg every 1–3 months.

It also looks like tobacco amblyopia can be further exacerbated in those who are heavy drinkers (research article attached but no time to read, so unable to comment further).

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

So, in summary, whilst smoking tobacco may not alter the uptake of cyanocobalamin, the cyanide in tobacco smoke can cause a potentially damaging condition of the eye...which further cyanide from cyanocobalamin (however small the amount) may make worse. I think (but can't recall) that The Patient Information Leaflet in Cyanocobalamin says something about this - and may advise that it is not for use by by smokers - but I could be wrong). The majority of GP's are not aware of this so I think cyanocobalamin was probably routinely prescribed for smokers - though it's no longer routinely prescribed in th U.K. anymore.

I assume (but don't know) that cyanide in cannabis may have the same effect on the eye as cyanide in tobacco, if smoked at the same frequency, so under these condition presenting a similar potential for damage?

Think I'd err on the side of caution and use Hydroxocobalamin instead (if that's an option).

👍

[fbirder in reply to Foggyme]

Or, try it in brownies.

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to fbirder]

🤣🤣🤣