"Hippocampal binding fits in with the ability of cannabis to affect short-term memory", suggests Pertwee, an idea that is reinforced by in-vitro work showing that CB1 agonists can prevent long-term potentiation--a model of memory. SR141716A, a synthetic CB1 antagonist, improves memory in rats, raising the possibility that this drug could improve memory in cognitive disorders, even aging."

Also...

"Research to be published in the November issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation will reveal some surprising things about chronic marijuana usage. Instead of having a debilitating effect on the brain's memory, it may actually work to stimulate the growth of neurons that would increase the brain's capabilities for learning and memory.

According to findings released to the media by Dr. Xia Zhang, an associate professor with the Neuropsychiatry Research Unit at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon not only did high doses of cannabinoids promote the generation of neuron growth in the hippocampuses of rats, but it also seems to alleviate depression and anxiety. The hippocampus is the part of the brain associated with learning and memory, and scientists have long suspected a correlation between depression and a slow down in neuron regeneration in that area."

To be fair, the synthetic cannabinoid used was 100 times more potent than delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and the rats were injected twice a day for 10 days. So to get the full benefits, it might require smoking (or eating) a LOT of pot. And not everything that works on rats works on humans, but most stuff does (which is why they use them, they're like 98 percent genetically identical to us).

As an aging person, I'm willing to take that chance. Worst case, I get baked. Best case, I get baked and remember stuff better that happens when I'm not baked. Can't really lose!
jamstigator Reviewed by jamstigator on . To Smoke or Not to Smoke...that is the question I am posting because of curiosity. I'm curious about pot. I guess I could hide my curiosity behind veiled questions and pretend to know what the hell I'm talking about, but to tell the truth, I'm 42 years old, and I've never tried pot before. I'm interested in it now because I've had a shitty year so far, and I'm tired of the pain and being stressed out. I sit here wondering if pot would somehow mellow me out a little, let me relax, and take away some pain. Since January, I've had to Rating: 5