It’s very common for smokers of yesterday and today to combine cannabis and tobacco. One survey found that around 31% of Canadians and Americans mix the two.

Nicotine, a stimulant in tobacco, boosts alertness and heart rate. Cannabis, rich in compounds like THC and CBD, can create effects ranging from euphoria and relaxation to altered perceptions, depending on the strain and dosage.

But what exactly happens when these substances are combined, and why is it an attractive blend for some?

Let’s explore.

When tobacco and cannabis are mixed, users may experience:

• Stronger, intensified high that lasts longer
• Increased heart rate, blood pressure and cardiovascular stress
• Increased sense of calm and pleasure
• Anxiety
• Nausea, dizziness
• Greater risk of dependence on both tobacco and cannabis
• Potential for greater withdrawal symptoms when stopping the use of the combination

Research from 2009 suggests that combining cannabis with tobacco can increase the levels of THC in the smoke compared to using cannabis alone. This typically leads to a more intense rush and heightened high.

You may also crave more cannabis — something researchers found in humans who smoked blunts filled with cannabis and tobacco. People in this study who smoked blunts every day for 30 days were up to four times more likely to show signs of cannabis dependence.

And the opposite was found in mice — when their cannabinoid receptors (the same ones that cannabis activates) were stimulated, they more frequently gave themselves hits of nicotine.

No, mixing tobacco and cannabis is generally not considered safe and can pose several risks to your health. Mixing these two substances increases your exposure to toxic substances, including carcinogens like carbon monoxide and tar.

This can lead to respiratory issues like bronchitis, lung inflammation and respiratory infections. With regular co-use of tobacco and cannabis, you might find it harder to breathe.

The hippocampus is an area in your brain essential for your memory, learning and emotional processing.

One study explored how combining cannabis and nicotine—a primary stimulant in tobacco—affects the size of adults’ hippocampus.

Groups in this study consisted of:

• Cannabis only users

• Nicotine only users

• Cannabis + nicotine users

• Non-users

In non-users (those who didn’t use cannabis or nicotine), a larger hippocampus was associated with better working memory. However, those using cannabis + nicotine showed a reduced hippocampus size, which, against all expectations, was linked to improved memory.

Researchers were just as confused as we were.

As evidence mounts, many await clearer insights into how mixing these substances affects human memory.

Many people blend weed and tobacco to ramp up their high, but there are several other reasons behind this mix:

• Adding tobacco can help stretch a cannabis stash further by using less

• Tobacco can help the cannabis flower burn more evenly

• Mixing these substances is a common cultural tradition in many parts of Europe

Around 31% of cannabis users in Canada and the U.S. will combine tobacco with their weed — although those who prefer edibles were much less likely to do so. Canadians are more likely to indulge in this combination — which may result from their lenient cannabis legal landscape.

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These silky-textured, slow-burning premium tobacco leaves are king when aiming to elongate your smoke sessions. The Cognac, Rum, and Original flavors pair perfectly with each roll, delivering a 100% organic product that magnifies your experience.

Not only does it emanate a sweet aroma, but it also enhances the taste of your preferred strain. Al Capone’s Original Leaf Wraps are tailored for a hassle-free rollup with its natural self-adhesive strip while sealed for freshness and elasticity. These leaf wraps are infamous for their effortless seal and natural mellow taste, which are worth every penny.