Weed and the brain

[mseerob]

Ok Im about to prepared for some terrible insults from this topic.

Is everyone absolutely sure that marijuana doesnt do any damage to the brain cells or any type of chemical change in the brain? Either Short or Long Term use of it and I mean no other drugs used. Its just many people talked to me (a few of them yelled at me lol) and told me that people that tells you that marijuana doesnt damage the brain or changes in the brain is lying to you and doesnt know any better. Down to earth truth, I love weed but I say the only part I dont like is when you get stoned, your consciousness changes and you feel like your kinda retarded lol. I mean some people starts having trouble organizing there thoughts and short term memory loss. If Marijuana in fact does NOT do any of those, can anyone supply to me any prove that it doesnt. Thanks.

[Its a Plant]

I don't have the time right now to dig for more links, but I have one for you. Mainly I picked this one b/c it's also very entertaining, as you'll soon see.

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/addiction/drugs/mouse.cfm

It is learning . . with mice! Choose the mice who smoked weed and you'll see a little brief demo of what it does to the brain and its receptors when smoked.

And on a personal note, when I smoke, I hardly ever struggle to organize my thoughts and never have to deal with "short-term memory loss", if there is such a thing. I think it kind of varies person to person, but that's just my opinion. Everyone's brain is different though. And I'm also still on the fence about the whole 'losing your short-term memory' thing.

I think that the term itself, 'short term memory loss', is just another way of saying that the information that your brain processed simply went to another area of your brain, like your long-term memory or just forget it all over. Information in one's short-term memory stays in that area for only...a short term as it is, with or without the help of marijuana. That's why we call it short-term lol.

I do believe that not many people are aware of their differing areas of memory, and that's why they automatically believe that weed causes 'memory loss' and then it's a snowball effect from that point, driven by hypochondria and paranoia. That and a few other aspects are why I'm still not sold on the whole idea, but I'm looking for closure ;)

I am very interested in what Birdgirl might have to say on the subject. She's a doctor in training, so she might be able to shed some light for us.

Hope I helped some, and look at all those strung out mice for more FUN courtesy of MaryJaneScott. ~

[Captain Hanks]

I don't have the time right now to dig for more links, but I have one for you. Mainly I picked this one b/c it's also very entertaining, as you'll soon see.

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/addiction/drugs/mouse.cfm

It is learning . . with mice! Choose the mice who smoked weed and you'll see a little brief demo of what it does to the brain and its receptors when smoked.

And on a personal note, when I smoke, I hardly ever struggle to organize my thoughts and never have to deal with "short-term memory loss", if there is such a thing. I think it kind of varies person to person, but that's just my opinion. Everyone's brain is different though. And I'm also still on the fence about the whole 'losing your short-term memory' thing.

I think that the term itself, 'short term memory loss', is just another way of saying that the information that your brain processed simply went to another area of your brain, like your long-term memory or just forget it all over. Information in one's short-term memory stays in that area for only...a short term as it is, with or without the help of marijuana. That's why we call it short-term lol.

I do believe that not many people are aware of their differing areas of memory, and that's why they automatically believe that weed causes 'memory loss' and then it's a snowball effect from that point, driven by hypochondria and paranoia. That and a few other aspects are why I'm still not sold on the whole idea, but I'm looking for closure ;)

I am very interested in what Birdgirl might have to say on the subject. She's a doctor in training, so she might be able to shed some light for us.

Hope I helped some, and look at all those strung out mice for more FUN courtesy of MaryJaneScott. ~

I watched the video but have a question, is that extra release of dopamine harmful?

[Its a Plant]

I quickly skimmed some info and found this, which should at least give you an idea. I'm really hoping Birdgirl can clear things up a bit, also.


Advances in neurobiology have provided a biological model for
explaining substance abuse.[19, 21, 33] Drugs of abuse affect the
production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with response and
reward and now held to explain the compulsive self-administration of
drugs.[10, 19, 21, 33]

However, cannabinoid receptors are not located on dopamine
producing neurons.[17] In vivo microdialysis has shown that unlike other
drugs[10] THC, the active chemical in marijuana, does not affect striatal
dopamine levels.[55] (Earlier research that had indicated a cannabinoid
effect on dopamine was found to be strain-specific, and has not been
replicated in other animal studies.[1, 17, 33])

Heroin (schedule I), cocaine (schedule II) and amphetamines (schedule III) all affect dopamine production. Marijuana, cannabinoids,
and THC do not. Where shall we schedule marijuana under existing
provisions of controlled substances act?

- Izenwasser, S., Kornetsky, C. (1992) "Brain-Stimulation Reward: A
Method For Assessing the Neurochemical Bases Of Drug-Induced Euphoria." In Watson, R.A. (1992) Drugs of Abuse and Neurobiology. Boca Raton: CRC -Press.

[Samwhore]

its a plant! wasnt that a MJS link?

[Its a Plant]

its a plant! wasnt that a MJS link?
Lol, yeah, the mice link was. Read my first post a little more carefully. ;)


Hope I helped some, and look at all those strung out mice for more FUN courtesy of MaryJaneScott. ~
Got to give credit where credit is due. ~

[fikusroot]

I personally believe that yes, Marijuana will cause some minor brain damage but this comes from the experience from knowing a marijuana addict who smoked every day and an alcoholic who drank every day for many years. Talking to both, the Marijuana addict seemed completely normal while the alcoholic was really slow. On a somewhat unrelated note, when I'm stoned, I sometime feel like I can feel my brain. Anybody else ever had this?

[Gothen]

Plus, THC has been classified as a neuroprotector. It shields and aims to prevent cell deterioration in certain levels. It also helps to stop the formation of free radicals in brain cells which can lead to cancerous tumors.

(Actually not just BRAIN cells, but in the CB1 and CB2 receptors located throughout the body)

[birdgirl73]

I never experienced the feeling of being able to feel my brain. But I did feel my husband up once when I was baked. . . .

Seriously, folks. I'm not yet very learned about brain physiology itself. That's later in our first-year curriculum. I do agree that weed has lots of neurological effects based on how I experienced it, and most of the research I've read confirms that it has both selectively beneficial and selectively harmful effects on people's brains. We know it inhibits inflammation and also seems to inhibit the growth of glial cancer cells in addition to promoting the destruction of brain cells that need to be destroyed in order for others to thrive. But this is all very preliminary information. No one can yet extract from the research we have now that weed's harmful in any long- or short-term way. Similarly, we can't say it's absolutely helpful or curative yet, either, although a lot of folks on here repeat that myth. My guess is it probably is more beneficial than harmful, but individuals are so different, and we're especially unique in how we respond to neuro-active chemicals. My guess about that dopamine squirt is that it's not any more dangerous than a similar squirt of dopamine you'd receive after eating a big batch of carbohydrates, which causes the same effect. Other things cause dopamine surges, too, like orgasms and strenuous exercise. That's why we tend to like the things, whether they be food, weed, sex or whatever, that bring that on.

Plant, that mouse animation was the coolest thing I've seen all year. I'm keeping that and fully intend to use it sometime later. I don't know how or when. But thank you. Not only for being one of my favorite, coolest friends here on the boards but also for posting that link! I needed to see some stoned mice when I got in. Terribly cool.

This being the dreaded birthday of birdgirl, I'm about to go on a dinner date with my husband and a group of our neighbors/friends, who just threw together a little get-together I wasn't expecting. I'll be back online later!

[Storm Crow]

"Imaging technique sheds new light on the composition of the brain of moderate cannabis users" :stoned:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-05/bc-its050206.php

"Current and former marijuana use: preliminary findings of a longitudinal study of effects on IQ in young adults" :rasta:
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/abstract/166/7/887

There's a lot of abstracts about neuroprotection and I'm too stoned to write them all out for you :stoned:, but all you have to do is do a search for them-- just type in -- cannabis abstract neuroprotectant . In fact, type in cannabis abstract and ANY major disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, MS, fibromyalgia, you name it! OUR GOVERNMENT IS SUPPRESSING THE TRUTH ABOUT CANNABIS!!! I have a paper from 1987 that showed that cannabinoids messed up leukemia cells ability to mature! Don't believe me, check it out for yourself! http://www.osti.gov/energycitations/product.biblio.jsp?osti_id=5164483
That study was done almost 20 years ago- I wonder how many lives could have been saved if our government had allowed them to keep researching? I better stop before this turns into a real rant! ;)

[moeburn]

The damages done by marijuana are done the same way as heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy.

Now that I have your attention, I'm going to explain why.

Heroin - Endorphine antagonist. Purges endorphines, the body's "good feeling" neurotransmitter. Endorphines quickly run empty, the body feels withdrawal symptoms of pain.

Cocaine - Dopamine reuptake inhibitor, as well as norepinephrine and seratonin in small amounts. Uses up all dopamine, the body's "reward" neurotransmitter. Dopamine neurons get frayed, the body feels withdrawal symptoms of punishment.

Ecstasy - Seratonin reuptake inhibitor, as well as dopamine and norepinephrine in small amounts. Uses up all seratonin, the body's "happiness" neurotransmitter. Seratonin neruons get frayed, the body feels withdrawal symptoms of sadness.

Marijuana - Purges melatonin in the system, as well as other unknown effects. Uses up all melatonin, the body's "nighttime" neurotransmitter. This is where it gets a bit iffy. If you smoke only during the night, your only withdrawal symptom should be insomnia and lack of dreams. If you smoke during the day, you are telling your body and brain that it is nighttime, when it isn't. This can lead to more withdrawal symptoms such as confusion, depression due to dismantled sleep cycles, and a general dislike of sunlight.

However, the damage is not permanent. Neurotransmitters are constantly being rebuilt. Some drug users, especially ecstasy users, follow a strict vitamin-enhanced diet. With plenty of all the essential vitamins and minerals in your system, your body can quickly rebuild the neurotransmitters, and refill the neurons. This is why some users feel withdrawal symptoms, while others do not. The vitamins essential for rebuilding melatonin are the B-complex vitamins. Neurotransmitters take a long time to rebuild (up to a week), so taking a vitamin pill won't help instantly.

Marijuana does damage in similar ways to addictive drugs, but is not permanent, unlike alcohol or disassociatives.

[Captain Hanks]

AYE!

[birdgirl73]

Thanks, guys, for all the information! I appreciate and read everything of this sort.

[mseerob]

Thank you guys and girls for replying to this thread and not turning this post to a real mess lol.

it's cool to see that the brain doesnt get damaged permanently from marijuana.

[ThePurpleMan]

i dunno i honestly feel dumber when i blaze but acedemicly i do fine... i have been blazing every day at school and i got an A on my history test and i have all A's in every class so i dunno

[robert42]

The damages done by marijuana are done the same way as heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy.

Now that I have your attention, I'm going to explain why.

Heroin - Endorphine antagonist. Purges endorphines, the body's "good feeling" neurotransmitter. Endorphines quickly run empty, the body feels withdrawal symptoms of pain.

Cocaine - Dopamine reuptake inhibitor, as well as norepinephrine and seratonin in small amounts. Uses up all dopamine, the body's "reward" neurotransmitter. Dopamine neurons get frayed, the body feels withdrawal symptoms of punishment.

Ecstasy - Seratonin reuptake inhibitor, as well as dopamine and norepinephrine in small amounts. Uses up all seratonin, the body's "happiness" neurotransmitter. Seratonin neruons get frayed, the body feels withdrawal symptoms of sadness.

Marijuana - Purges melatonin in the system, as well as other unknown effects. Uses up all melatonin, the body's "nighttime" neurotransmitter. This is where it gets a bit iffy. If you smoke only during the night, your only withdrawal symptom should be insomnia and lack of dreams. If you smoke during the day, you are telling your body and brain that it is nighttime, when it isn't. This can lead to more withdrawal symptoms such as confusion, depression due to dismantled sleep cycles, and a general dislike of sunlight.

However, the damage is not permanent. Neurotransmitters are constantly being rebuilt. Some drug users, especially ecstasy users, follow a strict vitamin-enhanced diet. With plenty of all the essential vitamins and minerals in your system, your body can quickly rebuild the neurotransmitters, and refill the neurons. This is why some users feel withdrawal symptoms, while others do not. The vitamins essential for rebuilding melatonin are the B-complex vitamins. Neurotransmitters take a long time to rebuild (up to a week), so taking a vitamin pill won't help instantly.

Marijuana does damage in similar ways to addictive drugs, but is not permanent, unlike alcohol or disassociatives.

I agree with the statement in RED.

Well said.

i also find night time smoking to be more productive if i smoke during the day then i feel lazy lol i prefer to smoke to unwind from the daily pressures.

[moeburn]

Melatonin is actually released by your brain on its own when the sun starts to set. It is in constant production while the sun is up. Another reason why heavy smokers find it hard to quit, they usually don't get out in the sun during the day, therefore their brain doesn't produce any melatonin, so they can't sleep at night after.