We Need to Get Smart About Marijuana - Page 71

Makedde · #**701** (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skinny.

Can you link marijuana to schizophrenia for me?

http://bipolar.about.com/od/relatedd...schizo_pot.htm

Of course there are just as many sites that refute it, so you have to believe what you want.

Skinny. · #**702** (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 01:00 AM

It says weed causes abnormalities in the brain wich can increase the risk of attracting the condition, if you have a predisposition. I'll see what I can gather from the other side.

Leesha · #**703** (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 01:01 AM

Here is how marijuana affects the brain:

Quote:

How Does Marijuana Affect the Brain?

Scientists have learned a great deal about how THC acts in the brain to produce its many effects. When someone smokes marijuana, THC rapidly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body.

THC acts upon specific sites in the brain, called cannabinoid receptors, kicking off a series of cellular reactions that ultimately lead to the “high” that users experience when they smoke marijuana. Some brain areas have many cannabinoid receptors; others have few or none. The highest density of cannabinoid receptors are found in parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thoughts, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement.1

Not surprisingly, marijuana intoxication can cause distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory. Research has shown that marijuana’s adverse impact on learning and memory can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off.2 As a result, someone who smokes marijuana every day may be functioning at a suboptimal intellectual level all of the time.

Research on the long-term effects of marijuana abuse indicates some changes in the brain similar to those seen after long-term abuse of other major drugs. For example, cannabinoid withdrawal in chronically exposed animals leads to an increase in the activation of the stress-response system3 and changes in the activity of nerve cells containing dopamine.4 Dopamine neurons are involved in the regulation of motivation and reward, and are directly or indirectly affected by all drugs of abuse.

Makedde · #**704** (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skinny.

It says weed causes abnormalities in the brain wich can increase the risk of attracting the condition, if you have a predisposition. I'll see what I can gather from the other side.

If there is any risk at all of marijuana use leading to mental illness, I'd say that is more than enough reason to ban it.

Leesha · #**705** (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Makedde

If there is any risk at all of marijuana use leading to mental illness, I'd say that is more than enough reason to ban it.

The site I gave you in the PM said this on mental health:

Quote:

Marijuana and Mental Health
A number of studies have shown an association between chronic marijuana use and increased rates of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and schizophrenia. Some of these studies have shown age at first use to be a factor, where early use is a marker of vulnerability to later problems. However, at this time, it not clear whether marijuana use causes mental problems, exacerbates them, or is used in attempt to self-medicate symptoms already in existence. Chronic marijuana use, especially in a very young person, may also be a marker of risk for mental illnesses, including addiction, stemming from genetic or environmental vulnerabilities, such as early exposure to stress or violence. At the present time, the strongest evidence links marijuana use and schizophrenia and/or related disorders6. High doses of marijuana can produce an acute psychotic reaction, and research suggests that in vulnerable individuals, marijuana use may be a factor that increases risk for the disease.

Skinny. · #**706** (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 01:05 AM

You do understand that chronic marijuana is artificialy modified?

Justice Strike · #**707** (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 01:13 AM

the statistics really are stunning.

Yes it has a genetic component. However, the effects of weed can be very sudden an severe.

Tehran Tim · #**708** (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 01:15 AM

I don't see any harm in marijuana, if anything it goes a long way in keeping the troublemakers in their homes and away from their troublemaking.

Leesha · #**709** (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tehran Tim

I don't see any harm in marijuana, if anything it goes a long way in keeping the troublemakers in their homes and away from their troublemaking.

There is a lot of harm, not just to themselves but to others as well

Tehran Tim · #**710** (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leesha

There is a lot of harm, not just to themselves but to others as well

I don't know about that. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of drugs, but marijuana seems relatively harmless. I remember driving a few times high and if anything it helped me, it made me more concentrated.

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