Posted on 10/14/2005 1:43:15 PM PDT by proud_yank
Study turns pot wisdom on head
Lab rats given drug 100 times as strong as pot
By DAWN WALTON
Calgary — Forget the stereotype about dopey potheads. It seems marijuana could be good for your brain.
While other studies have shown that periodic use of marijuana can cause memory loss and impair learning and a host of other health problems down the road, new research suggests the drug could have some benefits when administered regularly in a highly potent form.
Most "drugs of abuse" such as alcohol, heroin, cocaine and nicotine suppress growth of new brain cells. However, researchers found that cannabinoids promoted generation of new neurons in rats' hippocampuses.
Hippocampuses are the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory, and the study held true for either plant-derived or the synthetic version of cannabinoids.
"This is quite a surprise," said Xia Zhang, an associate professor with the Neuropsychiatry Research Unit at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.
"Chronic use of marijuana may actually improve learning memory when the new neurons in the hippocampus can mature in two or three months," he added.
The research by Dr. Zhang and a team of international researchers is to be published in the November issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, but their findings are on-line now.
The scientists also noticed that cannabinoids curbed depression and anxiety, which Dr. Zhang says, suggests a correlation between neurogenesis and mood swings. (Or, it at least partly explains the feelings of relaxation and euphoria of a pot-induced high.)
Other scientists have suggested that depression is triggered when too few new brain cells are created in the hippocampus. One researcher of neuropharmacology said he was "puzzled" by the findings.
As enthusiastic as Dr. Zhang is about the potential health benefits, he warns against running out for a toke in a bid to beef up brain power or calm nerves.
The team injected laboratory rats with a synthetic substance called HU-210, which is similar, but 100 times as potent as THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound responsible for giving marijuana users a high.
They found that the rats treated regularly with a high dose of HU-210 -- twice a day for 10 days -- showed growth of neurons in the hippocampus. The researchers don't know if pot, which isn't as pure as the lab-produced version, would have the same effect.
"There's a big gap between rats and humans," Dr. Zhang points out.
But there is a lot of interest -- and controversy -- around the use of cannabinoids to improve human health.
Cannabinoids, such as marijuana and hashish, have been used to address pain, nausea, vomiting, seizures caused by epilepsy, ischemic stroke, cerebral trauma, tumours, multiple sclerosis and a host of other maladies.
There are herbal cannabinoids, which come from the cannabis plant, and the bodies of humans and animals produce endogenous cannabinoids. The substance can also be designed in the lab.
Cannabinoids can trigger the body's two cannabinoid receptors, which control the activity of various cells in the body.
One receptor, known as CB1, is found primarily in the brain. The other receptor, CB2, was thought to be found only in the immune system.
However, in a separate study to be published today in the journal Science, a group of international researchers have located the CB2 receptor in the brain stems of rats, mice and ferrets.
The brain stem is responsible for basic body function such as breathing and the gastrointestinal tract. If stimulated in a certain way, CB2 could be harnessed to eliminate the nausea and vomiting associated with post-operative analgesics or cancer and AIDS treatments, according to the researchers.
"Ultimately, new therapies could be developed as a result of these findings," said Keith Sharkey, a gastrointestinal neuroscientist at the University of Calgary, lead author of the study.
(Scientists are trying to find ways to block CB1 as a way to decrease food cravings and limit dependence on tobacco.)
When asked whether his findings explain why some swear by pot as a way to avoid the queasy feeling of a hangover, Dr. Sharkey paused and replied: "It does not explain the effects of smoked or inhaled or ingested substances." Latest Comments in the Conversation
Lori Byrd from Brantford, Canada writes: Well this is one study. And dont they have to do many studies to prove something? Its happened many times over the years.. butter is bad for you, margarine is better. butter is good for you. Sugar is bad, use artificial sugars. sugar is good. coffee is bad, coffee is good. But those poor lab rats having to go through all these studies. Such cruelty to animals..
Posted Oct. 14, 2005 at 3:28 PM EDT Link to Comment Debbi Burnie from Ottawa, Canada writes:
I have never had a problem with occasional potheads.Its the ones that can't function without it or who turn into idiots and abuse it that are cause for concern.The same goes for alcohol, cigarettes or prescription drugs.They are all addictive and if abused end up being everyone's problem.
I myself don't drink alcohol, smoke or do drugs and I only take medication if prescribed.I am not against those who do, its their right to choose.I only have a problem when they choose to abuse it and it ends up affecting me.Unfortunately we can't control other peoples actions.
On the bright side legalizing it might actually help some idividuals medically, and just think of all the tax money and legitimate jobs that would be created to help boost the economy.
On the dark side think of all the money we will end up spending on education, safety, rules and regulations surrounding its use and heathcare and research to deal with the ramifications of those who abuse it and its longterm affects.
Their is one question I think will need to be answered though "What will they do about the smell?" Posted Oct. 14, 2005 at 3:44 PM EDT Link to Comment Bruce Hauser from Canada writes:
Very interesting results in that study, more work needs to be done.
I concur with Dan Baril that perhaps more effort should be made on the part of government in developing effective treatments for alcoholism and effective treatments from cannabis than persuing a regimen of attack and prosecute.
It's time that we start treating cannabis regulation in the same manner we treat alcohol and tobacco licensing and distribution, in example the LCBO & the CCBO (cannabis control board of Ontario).
It does not make any sense to allow people to brew beer and make wine at home (and in commercial establishments) for PERSONAL CONSUMPTION and yet preclude them from growing a plant?
I regard the whole policy of disallowing people to grow their own cannabis for personal use as ridiculous. There is a de facto atmosphere out there that permits discreet use, yet you must associate with criminals to obtain a supply.
If I were a cannabis user, I would much prefer to shop in a pleasant atmosphere with quality controls in place than associate with criminals.
The politics of this are pretty simple to figure out, and the U.S. are largely deciding ours in this case.
Posted Oct. 14, 2005 at 3:45 PM EDT Link to Comment dale niles from Toronto, Canada writes:
This is the best news that has come around in a very long time, especially with the latest ruling against the tobacco companies regarding health care.If, as the article suggests, the research is starting to show that the use of cannibus reduces the cravings for nicotine then bring on the pot and turn the tobacco fields into pot fields!
Posted Oct. 14, 2005 at 4:02 PM EDT Link to Comment W M from Toronto, Canada writes:
It seems to me that most of the above arguments go like this.I like pot, I've smoked a lot of it, I'm enlightened (those who disagree with me are not), therefore pot has only benign effects.All evidence to the contrary is incorrect or, worse, the blatant disinformation put forth by fanatical, unenlightened anti-pot advocates.On the other hand, anything that suggests that some sub-component of it may be good for users in anyway, clearly proves that all components are good in every way.
I happened to find out that pot is thought by many psychiatrists to exacerbate (but probably not cause) schizophrenia, because I told a doc that my sibling was drinking little and wasn't doing "harder" drugs, so I figured that all should be well.I was very surprised when told me that in his (very considerable) experience pot seemed to be particularly bad for people with schizophrenia (worse than most other drugs).More recently another doc told me that this isn't just one person's opinion and that there is research that backs it up.If anybody knows of studies that show different, that would be interesting.But explanations on why experts in the field are wrong from people whose knowledge of the subject seems to be limited to knowing someone whose brother has it, are the pro-pot equivalent of the anit-pot propaganda presented in "Reefer Madness", which pro-pot advocates love to ridicule.
I'm not saying that pot should or should not be legalized, just that we need more valid research, not more BS from the enlightened (pro or con).
"Chronic use of marijuana may actually improve learning memory when the new neurons in the hippocampus can mature in two or three months," he added.
THEN you read how the experiment was actually DONE:
"They found that the rats treated regularly with a high dose of HU-210 -- twice a day for 10 days -- showed growth of neurons in the hippocampus. The researchers don't know if pot, which isn't as pure as the lab-produced version, would have the same effect. "
They are claiming that marijuana has LONGTERM benefits, from giving rats, a substance that is NOT marijana, FOR 10 DAYS.
You're darn right it is! All that perfectly good tick going to a bunch of rats!
It's a dirty job but for the good of science, health, and the American Way, I hereby volunteer myself for further testing.
So...anybody wanna hippocampus-wrestle?
Also see my post 26.
The study does NOT warranty the conclusions they reached.
There are hundreds of REAL studies, which show the detrimental effects of marijuana, and here is a study, that gives a substance which is NOT marijuana, to RATS, for !) DAYS and they use that as basis to negate the hundreds of responsible, thorough studies.
That is indeed is actually more than irresponsible.
Well, if its BS, then its the same sort of BS that the Prohbiitionists have been using to support their side for decades.
For example, the oft-repeated claim that marijuana use kills brain cells came from one, and only one, "study" where they actually suffocated lab chimps with marijuana smoke. They hooked up the chimps to gas masks and pumped in nothing but smoke until the chimps asphyxiated. They then did an autopsy and found dead brain cells (no sh*t Sherlock, asphyxiation will do that), and voila! - Marijuana kills brain cells.
Hmmm, to be quite exact if you're a pot smoker YOU are a criminal. The law just treats sellers a little more harshly than users, that's all. Sure, it's ridiculous, but that is the fact of it.
They don't double post.
He isn't debating, he is baiting.
It is pretty bogus science. I don't see how you can conclude any 'long term' effects from a 10 day study.
Actually I don`t know why it`s not legalized for industrial purposes (hemp)..From the hemp plant you can make paper, oil, rope ..The Indians used it for bow strings (amongst other things). It was used a lot when this country started which is why you have a lot of towns across the US named after hemp like Hempstead.
At best, the cumulative research shows that marijuana use has consequences on par with alcohol use. Why we lock up the user of one and not the other is purely a matter of politics, not science.
Do tell. Sounds to me like you don't like their conclusion so you dismiss their technique. Maybe that works for you, but it's hardly an argument.
BTW, A nice bowl will help you with your humorless disposition.
So you consider 10 DAYS "longterm"???????
I think also that a lot of so-called "pot-heads" happen to also abuse alcohol and/or other drugs, so I question if pot alone could do that much damage. I say this as someone who has never taken pot, nor ever intends to. But having said that, I just never saw why pot is such a big deal, compared to alcohol, other than the stigma that's attached to it.
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