Pot not a major cancer risk

[Starchild]

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Although both marijuana and tobacco smoke are packed with cancer-causing chemicals, other qualities of marijuana seem to keep it from promoting lung cancer, according to a new report.


The difference rests in the often opposing actions of the nicotine in tobacco and the active ingredient, THC, in marijuana, says Dr. Robert Melamede of the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs.

He reviewed the scientific evidence supporting this contention in a recent issue of Harm Reduction Journal.

Whereas nicotine has several effects that promote lung and other types of cancer, THC acts in ways that counter the cancer-causing chemicals in marijuana smoke, Melamede explained in an interview with Reuters Health.

"THC turns down the carcinogenic potential," he said.

For example, lab research indicates that nicotine activates a body enzyme that converts certain chemicals in both tobacco and marijuana smoke into cancer-promoting form. In contrast, studies in mice suggest that THC blocks this enzyme activity.

Another key difference, Melamede said, is in the immune system effects of tobacco and marijuana. Smoke sends irritants into the respiratory system that trigger an immune-regulated inflammatory response, which involves the generation of potentially cell-damaging substances called free radicals. These particles are believed to contribute to a range of diseases, including cancer.

But cannabinoids -- both those found in marijuana and the versions found naturally in the body -- have been shown to dial down this inflammatory response, Melamede explained.

Another difference between tobacco and marijuana smoking, he said, has to do with cells that line the respiratory tract. While these cells have receptors that act as docks for nicotine, similar receptors for THC and other cannabinoids have not been found.

Nicotine, Melamede said, appears to keep these cells from committing "suicide" when they are genetically damaged, by smoking, for instance. When such cells do not kill themselves off, they are free to progress into tumors.

THC, however, does not appear to act this way in the respiratory tract -- though, in the brain, where there are cannabinoid receptors, it may have the beneficial effect of protecting cells from death when they are damaged from an injury or stroke, according to Melamede.

All of this, he said, fits in with population studies that have failed to link marijuana smoking with a higher risk of lung cancer -- though there is evidence that pot users have more respiratory problems, such as chronic cough and frequent respiratory infections.

If marijuana does not promote lung cancer, that could factor into the ongoing debate over so-called medical marijuana. Melamede said he believes "marijuana has loads of medicinal value," for everything from multiple sclerosis, to the chronic pain of arthritis, to nausea caused by cancer treatment.

U.S. government officials, however, maintain that the evidence for medical marijuana is not there. Ten states allow people to use marijuana with a doctor's prescription, but the Supreme Court has ruled that federal law trumps state law.

SOURCE: Harm Reduction Journal, October 18, 2005.

Starchild Reviewed by Starchild on 10-27-2005. Pot not a major cancer risk NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Although both marijuana and tobacco smoke are packed with cancer-causing chemicals, other qualities of marijuana seem to keep it from promoting lung cancer, according to a new report. The difference rests in the often opposing actions of the nicotine in tobacco and the active ingredient, THC, in marijuana, says Dr. Robert Melamede of the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. He reviewed the scientific evidence supporting this contention in a recent Rating: 5

[rysk8er420]

Just one more reason why weed is the best drug ever!

[Starchild]

Agreed!

[Ganj]

[align=center]not a major cancer risk??[/align]
[align=center] [/align]
[align=left]marijuana has anti-cancer characteristics, the only way it should be involved with cancer is if it was being used to help cure it. if you smoke cigarettes and marijuana, lung cancer is not a problem you'll face...ever. that's why i'm going to stick with our ganja throughout my whole life and, as we all know, it also assists in movement disorders such as, parkinson's disease, muscle spasms, etc.[/align]
[align=left] [/align]
[align=left] [/align]
[align=left]marijuana is the most beneficial drug to man-kind. [/align]

[Cheesybeast]

I'd love to belive in stuff like this, but i just think its pot heads lookin for hope. At the end of the day smokin weed causes lung cancer, it contains two times more tar and carbon monoxide than regular cigerettes and that a pure geen joint. Its something weve got to deal with if you wanna smoke it..

peace

[lemonboy]

And that's how the US Government would like you to think. It is easy to look at something and draw a conclusion without any scientific evidence. These studies that have popped up recently represent the result of someone's work though. I'll take that over the theory you're willing to blindly pull out of your ass any day.

Cannabis has already CURED cancer in mice. Keep those eyes and ears open, kiddos.

[Starchild]

I do not agree.This study was done by a major university with grant monies..

[beachguy in thongs]

I'd love to belive in stuff like this, but i just think its pot heads lookin for hope. At the end of the day smokin weed causes lung cancer, it contains two times more tar and carbon monoxide than regular cigerettes and that a pure geen joint. Its something weve got to deal with if you wanna smoke it..

peace

Peace back in...

Smoking weed promotes Melatonin production, in the Pineal, in the Brain which fights cancer and heart disease. Marijuana is the best way to do this, your Melatonin levels go up 4,000%, two hours after smoking a joint.

EDIT: Smoking Weed also expands the lungs. And extends cell-longetivity.

When you stop producing Melatonin, it's not long before you die.

http://www.cures-not-wars.org/melajuana.html

http://melatonin.com/

CTB

[MightyFourTwenty]

I'd love to belive in stuff like this, but i just think its pot heads lookin for hope. At the end of the day smokin weed causes lung cancer, it contains two times more tar and carbon monoxide than regular cigerettes and that a pure geen joint. Its something weve got to deal with if you wanna smoke it..

peace

Hey, way to buy into the government's propaganda! :thumbsup:

[Stoner Shadow Wolf]

I'd love to belive in stuff like this, but i just think its pot heads lookin for hope. At the end of the day smokin weed causes lung cancer, it contains two times more tar and carbon monoxide than regular cigerettes and that a pure geen joint. Its something weve got to deal with if you wanna smoke it..

peace

i'd like you to prove this.


let me point some things out to you...




marijuana has four hundred tewenty different (chemical) compounds in it. many of these compounds have yet to have been "discovered" or understood. in other words, we dont know what they do.


but...

we do.


just not nessecarily what ones, why, or how.


marijuana smokers will vouch: it cleans your lungs.

proof: the phlegm you cough up.


marijuana accelerates the rate at which the body eliminates dead cells.
this is why there has never been a recorded case of cancer in any (at least moderate) marijuana users ever.

also, because of the rate in which the body breaks down dead cells, you also absorb more nutriants from food, as well as digest it faster (the munchies effect).

do you wish to go further?