Perception of Marijuana as a 'Safe Drug' Is Inaccurate

[cronus]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 091401.htm

Perception of Marijuana as a 'Safe Drug' Is Scientifically Inaccurate

Aug. 27, 2013 — The nature of the teenage brain makes users of cannabis amongst this population particularly at risk of developing addictive behaviors and suffering other long-term negative effects, according to researchers at the University of Montreal and New York's Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

"Of the illicit drugs, cannabis is most used by teenagers since it is perceived by many to be of little harm. This perception has led to a growing number of states approving its legalization and increased accessibility. Most of the debates and ensuing policies regarding cannabis were done without consideration of its impact on one of the most vulnerable population, namely teens, or without consideration of scientific data," wrote Professor Didier Jutras-Aswad of the University of Montreal and Yasmin Hurd, MD, PhD, of Mount Sinai. "While it is clear that more systematic scientific studies are needed to understand the long-term impact of adolescent cannabis exposure on brain and behavior, the current evidence suggests that it has a far-reaching influence on adult addictive behaviors particularly for certain subsets of vulnerable individuals."

The researchers reviewed over 120 studies that looked at different aspects of the relationship between cannabis and the adolescent brain, including the biology of the brain, chemical reaction that occurs in the brain when the drug is used, the influence of genetics and environmental factors, in addition to studies into the "gateway drug" phenomenon. "Data from epidemiological studies have repeatedly shown an association between cannabis use and subsequent addiction to heavy drugs and psychosis (i.e. schizophrenia). Interestingly, the risk to develop such disorders after cannabis exposure is not the same for all individuals and is correlated with genetic factors, the intensity of cannabis use and the age at which it occurs. When the first exposure occurs in younger versus older adolescents, the impact of cannabis seems to be worse in regard to many outcomes such as mental health, education attainment, delinquency and ability to conform to adult role," Dr Jutras-Aswad said.

Although it is difficult to confirm in all certainty a causal link between drug consumption and the resulting behavior, the researchers note that rat models enable scientists to explore and directly observe the same chemical reactions that happen in human brains. Cannabis interacts with our brain through chemical receptors (namely cannabinoid receptors such as CB1 and CB2.) These receptors are situated in the areas of our brain that govern our learning and management of rewards, motivated behavior, decision-making, habit formation and motor function. As the structure of the brain changes rapidly during adolescence (before settling in adulthood), scientists believe that the cannabis consumption at this time greatly influences the way these parts of the user's personality develop. In adolescent rat models, scientists have been able to observe differences in the chemical pathways that govern addiction and vulnerability -- a receptor in the brain known as the dopamine D2 receptor is well known to be less present in cases of substance abuse.

(continued, likely the geek brain is at risk being a fragile high intelligence structure...?)

[rachelbean]

Except the article doesn't state anything new. It is not safe for some adolescents, particularly those with genetic or psychological issues already identified. Shocking

[cronus]

Except the article doesn't state anything new. It is not safe for some adolescents, particularly those with genetic or psychological issues already identified. Shocking

Long term risks are universal regarding memory loss and cancer risk.

[Jason]

Perception of Alcohol as a 'Safe Drug' Is Scientifically Inaccurate

Aug. 27, 2013 — The nature of the teenage brain makes users of alcohol amongst this population particularly at risk of developing addictive behaviors and suffering other long-term negative effects, according to researchers at the University of Montreal and New York's Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

"Of the legal drugs, alcohol is most used by teenagers since it is perceived by many to be of little harm. This perception has led to a growing number of states approving drive-through liquor stores and increased accessibility. Most of the debates and ensuing policies regarding alcohol were done without consideration of its impact on one of the most vulnerable population, namely teens, or without consideration of scientific data," wrote Professor Didier Jutras-Aswad of the University of Montreal and Yasmin Hurd, MD, PhD, of Mount Sinai. "While it is clear that more systematic scientific studies are needed to understand the long-term impact of adolescent alcohol exposure on brain and behavior, the current evidence suggests that it has a far-reaching influence on adult addictive behaviors particularly for certain subsets of vulnerable individuals."

The researchers reviewed over 120 studies that looked at different aspects of the relationship between alcohol and the adolescent brain, including the biology of the brain, chemical reaction that occurs in the brain when the drug is used, the influence of genetics and environmental factors, in addition to studies into the "gateway drug" phenomenon. "Data from epidemiological studies have repeatedly shown an association between alcohol use and subsequent addiction to hard alcohol and psychosis (i.e. schizophrenia). Interestingly, the risk to develop such disorders after alcohol exposure is not the same for all individuals and is correlated with genetic factors, the intensity of alcohol use and the age at which it occurs. When the first exposure occurs in younger versus older adolescents, the impact of alcohol seems to be worse in regard to many outcomes such as mental health, education attainment, delinquency and ability to conform to adult role," Dr Jutras-Aswad said.

Although it is difficult to confirm in all certainty a causal link between drug consumption and the resulting behavior, the researchers note that rat models enable scientists to explore and directly observe the same chemical reactions that happen in human brains. Cannabis interacts with our brain through chemical receptors (namely cannabinoid receptors such as CB1 and CB2.) These receptors are situated in the areas of our brain that govern our learning and management of rewards, motivated behavior, decision-making, habit formation and motor function. As the structure of the brain changes rapidly during adolescence (before settling in adulthood), scientists believe that the cannabis consumption at this time greatly influences the way these parts of the user's personality develop. In adolescent rat models, scientists have been able to observe differences in the chemical pathways that govern addiction and vulnerability -- a receptor in the brain known as the dopamine D2 receptor is well known to be less present in cases of substance abuse.

(continued, likely the geek brain is at risk being a fragile high intelligence structure...?)

[Jason]

Except the article doesn't state anything new. It is not safe for some adolescents, particularly those with genetic or psychological issues already identified. Shocking

Long term risks are universal regarding memory loss and cancer risk.

Cancer risk? Well I remembered that cannabidiol inhibits cancer growth in healthy cells.

[cronus]

Except the article doesn't state anything new. It is not safe for some adolescents, particularly those with genetic or psychological issues already identified. Shocking

Long term risks are universal regarding memory loss and cancer risk.

Cancer risk? Well I remembered that cannabidiol inhibits cancer growth in healthy cells.

There's contaminants, most often tobacco. Cannabis will kill you. It's a plant.

[Jason]

There is no tobacco in marijuana. They're two entirely different plants.

If you're trying to claim that marijuana contains carcinogens like tobacco does, then you need to do some reading:

Smoke from tobacco and cannabis contains many of the same carcinogens and tumor promoters [20,21]. However, cannabis and tobacco have additional pharmacological activities, both receptor-dependent and independent, that result in different biological endpoints. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in smoke are pro-carcinogens that are converted to carcinogens by the enzymatic activity of the cytochrome P4501A1 oxidase protein (CYP1A1 gene product). Benzo [a] pyrene is converted to its carcinogenic metabolite diol epoxide, which binds to specific hyper-mutable nucleotide sequences in the K-ras oncogene and p53 tumor suppressor [22]. Recent work by Roth et al. demonstrates that THC treatment of murine hepatoma cells caused a dose dependent increase in CYP1A1 gene transcription, while at the same time directly inhibiting the enzymatic activity of the gene product [23]. Thus, despite potentially higher levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in cannabis smoke compared to tobacco smoke (dependent on what part of the plant is smoked), the THC present in cannabis smoke should exert a protective effect against pro-carcinogens that require activation. In contrast, nicotine activates some CYP1A1 activities, thus potentially increasing the carcinogenic effects of tobacco smoke

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1277837/

[cronus]

I don't think it is often smoked alone, wasn't in the old days anyway.

[hackenslash]

Cannabis will kill you. It's a plant.

Lettuce will kill you. It's a plant.

[hackenslash]

I don't think it is often smoked alone, wasn't in the old days anyway.

Depends what you mean by 'often', and what you mean by 'the old days'. I've smoked alone every day for the last 30 years or so, and I can name oodles more like me.

[cronus]

Cannabis will kill you. It's a plant.

Lettuce will kill you. It's a plant.

That is why people become vegetarian - and then grow thinner and thinner. The lettuce disguises itself well but inside there is a living organism that wants to feed.

[Pappa]

I don't think it is often smoked alone, wasn't in the old days anyway.

Depends what you mean by 'often', and what you mean by 'the old days'. I've smoked alone every day for the last 30 years or so, and I can name oodles more like me.

Are you dead yet?

[hackenslash]

Not last time I looked.

[Pappa]

Not last time I looked.

Phew! Check again by feeling your balls, just to be sure.

[Svartalf]

There is no tobacco in marijuana. They're two entirely different plants.

If you're trying to claim that marijuana contains carcinogens like tobacco does, then you need to do some reading:

Smoke from tobacco and cannabis contains many of the same carcinogens and tumor promoters [20,21]. However, cannabis and tobacco have additional pharmacological activities, both receptor-dependent and independent, that result in different biological endpoints. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in smoke are pro-carcinogens that are converted to carcinogens by the enzymatic activity of the cytochrome P4501A1 oxidase protein (CYP1A1 gene product). Benzo [a] pyrene is converted to its carcinogenic metabolite diol epoxide, which binds to specific hyper-mutable nucleotide sequences in the K-ras oncogene and p53 tumor suppressor [22]. Recent work by Roth et al. demonstrates that THC treatment of murine hepatoma cells caused a dose dependent increase in CYP1A1 gene transcription, while at the same time directly inhibiting the enzymatic activity of the gene product [23]. Thus, despite potentially higher levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in cannabis smoke compared to tobacco smoke (dependent on what part of the plant is smoked), the THC present in cannabis smoke should exert a protective effect against pro-carcinogens that require activation. In contrast, nicotine activates some CYP1A1 activities, thus potentially increasing the carcinogenic effects of tobacco smoke

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1277837/

Few people I've known ever smoked their MJ pure, that's why the fags are called 'joints'