Posted on 11/23/2012 7:07:00 AM PST by lbryce
Scientists have confirmed the long-held suspicion that frequent heavy marijuana use damages the brain's memory and learning capacity.
"Our results suggest that long-term cannabis use is hazardous to white matter in the developing brain. This was especially true for those who had started in adolescence, as we know the brain is still developing during this time," Lead researcher Dr. Marc Seal, from Melbournes Murdoch Children's Research Institute said in a university release.
Scientists from MCRI, Melbourne University and Wollongong University compared MRI scans of the brain for 59 people who had been using marijuana for an average of 15 years to 33 healthy people who had never used the drug.
After measuring changes to the volume, strength and integrity of white matter in the brains of all participants, researchers found that long-term heavy cannabis users had disruptions in their white matter fibers.
The brain's white matter is responsible for information passed between different areas of grey matter within the nervous system, and unlike grey matter, which are the brain's thinking areas that peaks at age eight, white matter continues to develop as people age.
Seal and his team found that there was more than 80 percent reduction of white matter in the brains of users.
Additionally, researchers found that the average age of participants in the study started using cannabis when they were 16 years old, participants who started using the drug at a younger age like 10 or 11 had even more severe brain damage.
"This is the first study to demonstrate the age at which regular cannabis use begins is a key factor in determining the severity of the brain damage," Seal said, according to AAP.
He explained that marijuana interferes with naturally occurring cannabinoid receptors in the brain and by introducing external cannabinoids into a person's system it stops their white matter from maturing.
Researchers linked the significant changes in the white matter in the brain's hippocampus and commissural fibers, suggesting that long-term marijuana use may lead to memory impairment and deficits in learning and concentration ability.
"These people can have trouble learning new things and they are going to have trouble remembering things," Seal said.
"We don't know if the changes are irreversible but we do know that these changes are quite significant," he added.
Researchers said that the findings could not be explained by recreational drug and alcohol use. Researchers will monitor participants for the next two years to detect any further changes.
The latest findings add to results from previous smaller studies that showed that the brain's memory center, the hippocampus, shrunk in heavy marijuana users.
Pot Heads: Another valuable part of the Democrats’ winning coalition.
Based on voting record and lack of work ethic, crack cocaine obviously has the same effect on the Black population.
Just look at President Trainwreck as a prime example of why marijuana should never be legalized. I am not talking about LEGITIMATE medical prescriptions.
"Well you see, Norm, it's like this... A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo and when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive drinking of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers."
Works for me with beer. Not so sure about pot?
"Dude...wait....uh....whut?"
I continued a lot of that drug use after getting out.
I met Jesus in 1981 and stopped smoking reefer after about 15 years of late teens to early thirties usage.
So ...
I will attest and affirm that what this article is saying is true.
I have CRS disease and
um
I have CRS disease and ...
um
uhhh
I have ...
Ever wonder why up to 20% of kids are now classified autistic,neurologically impaired, various learning disorders etc. and why we are spending huge amounts of money trying in a futile attempt to educate them? Maybe someone should have the nerve to ask their mothers just what their habits were like? American decadence results in social rot. In a democracy you get leaders like Obama that reflect the culture’s prevailing values. The rest of us ought to become familiar with the concept of the “faithful remnant.”
Nice work. We knew this back in high school.
Confirmed?
To translate: We don't really know, but give us more money to study it. It's "for the chilrun..."..
Ultimatly, the left’s ideology will come ‘round and bite them from behind when it’s disocovered that that “be all you can be” is not a personal aspiration, but a debt you owe the “collective”.
“Our results suggest that long-term cannabis use is hazardous to white matter...”
White matter? That’s just racist.
Al Sharpton to spotlight this on MSNBC. “Why Minorities Deserve To Have Brain Matter Named After Them And Why The Government Should Provide Financial Remuneration To Minorities For Said Discrimination”...tonight at 6pm.
You’re dealing with the lexicon of so called scientists who
are forced to employ “weasel words” to cover their rear-ends
but in reality they know the truth but can’t have it said in a non-irrefutable way. just in case.
Indeed
I can attest to... wait... what?
IOW, what they say is not necessarily correct, but they are happy for the check. As a long time MJ smoker in a former life, I have had no memory problems, and no health related problems. I believe MJ is not the problem, but is made unpopular by a willing alcohol tolerant society. It is tough competition. I hate the 'drunk' feeling, personally! My lungs are clear, and my mind is ... what was I talking about?
... and by the way, anthropomorphic global warming is fact! /sarc
photo: Dan Coyro / Santa Cruz, Calif., Sentinel via AP
A cloud of smoke rises above University Santa Cruz students and non-students Monday as they gather on the school's campus in Santa Cruz, Calif., to celebrate "420," in which marijuana smokers gather each April 20 to smoke pot at 4:20 p.m.
http://www.newsoxy.com/health/marijuana-teens-lower-iq-86108.html
I can attest to... wait... what?
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