Memory, speed of thinking get worse over time with marijuana use

Eurekalert ^ | 03/13/06 | American Academy of Neurology

[CowboyJay]

"All of the marijuana users were heavy users, which was defined as smoking four or more joints per week"

High when they took the test?

"24 control subjects who had used marijuana at least once in their lives but not more than 20 times and not in the past two years."

The study, apparently, did not include a control group of individuals who had never used. I would be curious to see how they would compare with the individuals who had used, but not more than 20 times over the last 2 years.

One has to wonder; could they not find even twenty people in Greece who'd never been stoned?

[CowboyJay]

"Marijuana users were also more likely to report positive moods and fewer somatic complaints such as sleeplessness."

The conclusion? Can it actually make some more productive and happy than they might otherwise be?

[driftless]

One can dispute the findings by the study group, but it is a drug. Last year one co-worker confided in me that he was once a heavy user but quit when he started getting paranoid. I won't lift a finger to stop some adult from using the stuff, just don't tell me that prolonged use of any drug has no negative side effects.

[DBrow]

Just asking

It's sarcasm. I think there are consequences good and bad for everything we do, and pot is no exception. I was poking fun at people who never admit even mildly bad consequences for pot, and who vehemently reject even published peer reviewed papers that suggest any level of harm from pot smoking.

[DBrow]

We were joking, check the context.

[showme_the_Glory]

"Relax man, it's only an ambulance. Here, light this up"

[mugs99]

The conclusion? Can it actually make some more productive and happy than they might otherwise be?

Yes.
.

[misterrob]

I can look back on those youthful moments and realize how much of my future I was really just pissing away. I was always in a fog, no short term memory and no motivation.

Frankly if someone wants to be a drunk or a druggie then that should be their choice but you are correct in saying that there is cost to the behavior.

[Antoninus]

No kidding. And here I thought Ricky Williams was just naturally dippy...

[DoctorMichael]

Wha?

[Antoninus]

I was curious what the theme for denial was going to be. It looks like they are going to take off with the "they were too stupid to correct for age angle."

Why not? Maybe the researchers were high themselves?

[dljordan]

"This could explain the repetitive use of slogans by the drug advocates."

What explaind the repetitive use of violence by the drug warriors?

[dljordan]

That dude looks extremely dangerous. Better call SWAT, the DEA and Homerland Security. He needs a beatdown.

[RightOnline]

uuhhh....dude........what'd I jus' read?

[Moonman62]

I've never heard anyone call Carl Sagan ignorant. He was a pothead with a pretty damn good memory!

Yes, he was the one that predicted "nuclear winter" from the oil fires set during the first Gulf War. I always wondered how a once bright guy had a mind turned to mush. Now we know.

[Paulus Invictus]

Lotsa Blue staters there. Does pot use explain, perhaps, the asisinity of the brain-dead in those RAT-infested states? The Left Coast looks especially bad for high percentge of users. One wonders...

[AxelPaulsenJr]

MrLeRoy, lied to us..............

[mugs99]

Yes, he was the one that predicted "nuclear winter" from the oil fires set during the first Gulf War. I always wondered how a once bright guy had a mind turned to mush. Now we know.

Wikipedia?
Yes, he was one of those who did. He also made a list of errors pointing out that science is tentative, and used his prediction of the Kuwaiti oil fires as an example. The same Burke equation he used for the oil fires is being used today to "prove" the dangers of second hand smoke. Sagan always pointed out possible errors in his equations. I don't see any other scientist doing that...Do you?

I always wondered how a once bright guy had a mind turned to mush. Now we know.

Turned to mush?
NASA credits him as the lead scientist in NASA's Mariner, Viking, Voyager and Galileo expeditions to other planets. He twice received the NASA Apollo Achievement Award.

All this while smoking pot!
You should be so smart!
.

[Moonman62]

Lotsa Blue staters there. Does pot use explain, perhaps, the asisinity of the brain-dead in those RAT-infested states?

Pot does seem to sustain failed political ideologies. Go to any gathering of Anarchists, Libertarians, Leftists, Vandals, or radical feminists, and there will be a big green cloud surrounding them.

[mugs99]

big green cloud

ROFL!
Yep, and the moon is made of green cheese...Moonman.
.