• Smoking high strength cannabis may damage nerve fibres in brain: Study suggests high levels of skunk
    91 replies, posted
[b]Smoking high strength cannabis may damage nerve fibres in brain[/b] Via [url=http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/nov/27/smoking-high-strength-cannabis-skunk-may-damage-nerves-brain]The Guardian[/url] ________________ [quote][img]http://i.imgur.com/L14aoeM.jpg[/img] [i]The brain’s white matter seen from the front as obtained by diffusion tensor imaging.[/i] - - - High-strength cannabis may damage nerve fibres that handle the flow of messages across the two halves of the brain, scientists claim. Brain scans of people who regularly smoked strong skunk-like cannabis revealed subtle differences in the white matter that connects the left and right hemispheres and carries signals from one side of the brain to the other. The changes were not seen in those who never used cannabis or smoked only the less potent forms of the drug, the researchers found. The study is thought to be the first to look at the effects of cannabis potency on brain structure, and suggests that greater use of skunk may cause more damage to the corpus callosum, making communications across the brain’s hemispheres less efficient. Paola Dazzan, a neurobiologist at the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London, said the effects appeared to be linked to the level of active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), in cannabis. While traditional forms of cannabis contain 2 to 4 % THC, the more potent varieties (of which there are about 100), can contain 10 to 14% THC, according to the DrugScope charity. “If you look at the corpus callosum, what we’re seeing is a significant difference in the white matter between those who use high potency cannabis and those who never use the drug, or use the low-potency drug,” said Dazzan. The corpus callosum is rich in cannabinoid receptors, on which the THC chemical acts. [img]http://i.imgur.com/MiBVj3g.jpg[/img] [i]A DTI image of the corpus callosum, as seen from the side, is shown in red on and superimposed on a background MRI image of the brain.[/i] “The difference is there whether you have psychosis or not, and we think this is strictly related to the potency of the cannabis,” she added. Details of the study are reported in the journal Psychological Medicine.[/quote] So... yea. [editline]26th November 2015[/editline] This is just anecdotal evidence, but most stoners I've ever met, always had a tendency to be rather "slow" and could be easily distracted, as in, losing focus or the train of thought (in a conversation, for instance). This could explain it...
Same article: [quote]The study cannot confirm that high levels of THC in cannabis cause changes to white matter. As Dazzan notes, it is may be that people with damaged white matter are more likely to smoke skunk in the first place.[/quote] Heh! Also, they discuss their observations, but don't propose potential effects of the disrupted communication between the brain's hemispheres. Haven't there been people who've had that connection severed entirely, with little to no effect on their lives?
I look forward to seeing stoners trying to refute this, and the anti-stoners calling them idiots.
Still better than alcohol
[QUOTE=Mr_Ripper;49194817]I look forward to seeing stoners trying to refute this, and the anti-stoners calling them idiots.[/QUOTE] That may be a bit strong, but some of them tend to be dim-witted for sure... [editline]26th November 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Deaglez7;49194823]Still better than alcohol[/QUOTE] You'd be fucking up your liver instead of your brain, in that case.
[QUOTE=Pretiacruento;49194832]You'd be fucking up your liver instead of your brain, in that case.[/QUOTE] Ever met an alcoholic? It can do both.
[QUOTE=Pretiacruento;49194832]That may be a bit strong, but some of them tend to be dim-witted for sure...[/QUOTE] I'm not saying that the scientists are right or wrong. I'm not educated enough on the subject to say one way or the other, but I know the types that come crawling out in the wake of this kind of news. I'm sure my girlfriend is going to talk about this next time I see her. :v:
[QUOTE=Mr_Ripper;49194869]I'm not saying that the scientists are right or wrong. I'm not educated enough on the subject to say one way or the other, but I know the types that come crawling out in the wake of this kind of news. I'm sure my girlfriend is going to talk about this next time I see her. :v:[/QUOTE] I've seen weed do great things for great people, but I've seen it bring out the worst in others. It's not as bad as smoking tobacco for your lungs, but it's not exactly healthy, either. I think a stance in the middle is appropriate, as it usually is for most things.
[QUOTE=Mr_Ripper;49194817]I look forward to seeing stoners trying to refute this, and the anti-stoners calling them idiots.[/QUOTE] anybody who says that there is any recreational substance that is completely nonaddictive and totally nondamaging to the body or mind is just wrong. even as someone who smokes weed every day and has done more than his fair share of other drugs i know the risks i am taking every time i inhale. hell, things that don't have any longlasting physical effects on you, like LSD or DMT, can still be psychologically damaging if you are not careful with it all of my friends who smoke weed know that it isn't healthy, they just choose to take the risk much as I do myself
My girlfriend smokes weed and it does great things for her. My father smokes weed and he's one of the most disgusting, awful, abysmal human beings I've ever met. I've seen both sides of that and honestly I'm pretty indifferent to the whole ordeal. I just understand it's a huge hot topic.
[QUOTE=Ninja Gnome;49194896]anybody who says that there is any recreational substance that is completely nonaddictive and totally nondamaging to the body or mind is just wrong. even as someone who smokes weed every day and has done more than his fair share of other drugs i know the risks i am taking every time i inhale. hell, things that don't have any longlasting physical effects on you, like LSD or DMT, can still be psychologically damaging if you are not careful with it all of my friends who smoke weed know that it isn't healthy, they just choose to take the risk much as I do myself[/QUOTE] no no no no no, you have to follow their narrative, all people who smoke weed are stoners who think weed is good for you and they're all retarded
weed can be bad for you but so can many other things, end of story.
Oh look another weed is bad news report that uses unconfirmed/ correlational evidence which dosent truley prove shit. Expect to see more fear mongering as legalization spreads. Prohibition will go down kicking and screaming.
[QUOTE=Camdude90;49195020]no no no no no, you have to follow their narrative, all people who smoke weed are stoners who think weed is good for you and they're all retarded[/QUOTE] Don't act like that stereotype isn't rooted in reality. My older brother has drug induced schizophrenia from smoking marijuana at age thirteen, his brain is more fried than a KFC bucket and it's irreversible. It isn't the leaf that has medicinal qualities it's the compounds found in it, people will always find an excuse to justify their habit because it's loosely related to medical benefits so the over-all thing must surely be good to them.
[QUOTE=Captain James;49195154]Don't act like that stereotype isn't rooted in reality. My older brother has drug induced schizophrenia from smoking marijuana at age thirteen, his brain is more fried than a KFC bucket and it's irreversible. It isn't the leaf that has medicinal qualities it's the compounds found in it, people will always find an excuse to justify their habit because it's loosely related to medical benefits so the over-all thing must surely be good to them.[/QUOTE] What a moronic straw man. Did you ever consider the issue was his age and not the drug? No? You should I know a lot of stoners. None of them are the stereotype.
[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;49195165]What a moronic straw man. Did you ever consider the issue was his age and not the drug? No? You should I know a lot of stoners. None of them are the stereotype.[/QUOTE] If people are going to use anecdotes then so am I. Having said that I know people who smoke regularly from being older than an adolescent age and they've turned into stereotypical dropkicks, I also know people who smoke marijuana and maintain jobs. My resting point is the stereotype exists for a reason. Edit: Genetics plays a huge factor in what risks it carries as with anything else and people want to disregard this so they can feel good about getting high and perpetuate the myth it's completely harmless, there are people right now who legitimately believe that smoking pot will cure forms of cancer without and inkling of understanding how cancer works.
[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;49195165]What a moronic straw man. Did you ever consider the issue was his age and not the drug? No? You should I know a lot of stoners. None of them are the stereotype.[/QUOTE] Some of the stoners at my highschool were idiots, skipped class, and eventually got into crime and harder drugs. On the other hand, other stoners at my highschool were some of the smartest kids there. It's more the person than the drug. The drug may just be a catalyst to their shittyness coming out.
[QUOTE=Captain James;49195182]If people are going to use anecdotes then so am I. Having said that I know people who smoke regularly from being older than an adolescent age and they've turned into stereotypical dropkicks, I also know people who smoke marijuana and maintain jobs. My resting point is the stereotype exists for a reason.[/QUOTE] So your point is some people are lazy anyways but it's easier to use a substance to blame their nature on?
[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;49195191]So your point is some people are lazy anyways but it's easier to use a substance to blame their nature on?[/QUOTE] My point is that people become psychologically dependant on it to feel good, marijuana has a tangible effect on the brain whether people want to adhere to this fact or otherwise, it's academically proven. Yes there are benefits for it's use in medicinal fields, but on the same token a lot of people are predisposed to falling into a cycle of constant use, especially vulnerable young teenagers and kids who don't cognitise the effect it has on a developed brain, it's a proven study that the youngest recommended age to get high at begins at 25 as a rule of thumb for a developing brain. Illegal manufacturing and selling pot funds other narcotic trade, anyone with experience in dealing will tell you the same thing so legalising isn't so much an issue for people on a personal level but because it would regulate it cutting off income for unregistered sellers or crime circles.
Wtf. I've smoked tons of bud and I'm good, I'm a fucking commercial lawyer ffs (plis no tattle).
There's more to the argument beyond "I can get high if I want to" and no one seems to want or allow open dialogue on external issues directly related to marijuana use because it presents a risk of being allowed to get high.
Of course marijuana has detrimental effects on the human body. It's myopic and ignorant to assume that it's a harmless wonder drug and that there are no consequences for using it. It certainly isn't the worst thing you could possibly put into your body, but people need to acknowledge that there are potential harmful consequences for smoking marijuana.
[video]https://youtu.be/MmVL76qdYT4[/video]
[QUOTE=Captain James;49195243]There's more to the argument beyond "I can get high if I want to" and no one seems to want or allow open dialogue on external issues directly related to marijuana use because it presents a risk of being allowed to get high.[/QUOTE] It's effects are quantifiably less negative than alcohol. All people want is that recognized in the law so they can legally smoke at a legal age.
I'm pretty sure this was incredibly obvious? Cannabis, as with all drugs, is best done in moderation. Too much can (and probably will) lead to negative side effects over time. I have no issues with cannabis, people using cannabis, or the legalization of cannabis. I'm just saying that doing nothing but using it multiple times a day is going to be a detriment.
Everything you put in your body is going to hurt you one way or the other. Whether it be alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, etc. It all comes down to the person. Although I would also assume age is also factor. You're suppose to take this shit in moderation and not let it control you.
[QUOTE=Furioso;49194809]Haven't there been people who've had that connection severed entirely, with little to no effect on their lives?[/QUOTE] Well there is an effect, technically. There is a surgical procedure that is done to patients with extreme cases of epilepsy. [url]https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corpus_callosotomy[/url] Although yes communication between the hemispheres is greatly reduced, there are other pathways the brain takes. I recall this from a documentary I saw in class but the title escapes me. [sp] Probably from smoking too much pot [/sp] [editline]27th November 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=DaCommie1;49195189]Some of the stoners at my highschool were idiots, skipped class, and eventually got into crime and harder drugs. On the other hand, other stoners at my highschool were some of the smartest kids there. It's more the person than the drug. The drug may just be a catalyst to their shittyness coming out.[/QUOTE] Oh and there is some truth to that last statement. Pretty sure if I read correctly in some of the researched LSD threads somewhere here in SH, people with already underlying mental health issues take LSD and it basically has the potential to accelerate the issue. Not saying it's completely something to throw blame on, but we can not forget genetics being a major factor. Some are more prone to addiction than others.
The harmfulness of marijuana is pretty much irrelevant since we have harmful prescribed drugs, alcohol and tobacco as commonplace. On that discussion we should talk about the affects of throwing people in prison and such.
[QUOTE=Pretiacruento;49194832]That may be a bit strong, but some of them tend to be dim-witted for sure... [editline]26th November 2015[/editline] You'd be fucking up your liver instead of your brain, in that case.[/QUOTE] Alcohol can cause irreparable nerve damage.
So you're telling me smoking highly concentrated THC strains is bad for me, almost like how drinking high concentrated alcohol drinks like moonshine is worse than lighter ones like beer? I smoke weed and I don't ever plan on smoking dabs/wax because of the thc content, plus I'm just not that into extreme THC contents, it makes me paranoid and anxious. To me it sounds like it's pointing out how bad abusing THC intake is, which idk is the point of the definition of abuse, doing something so much it causes harm. Weed isn't for everyone and for those that enjoy it, make sure you enjoy it responsibly.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.