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stringOB · 04-17-2005, 09:37 AM

Can Marijuana make you smarter?
From: WebMD]WebMD[/url]

"April 2, 2002 --
Smoking five or more marijuana joints a week can make you feel stupid -- really. A new study shows heavy marijuana use can actually lower your IQ (intelligence quotient).
Researchers say it's one of the first studies to look at the long-term effects of marijuana on intelligence. Although the immediate, mind-numbing effects** of marijuana are well known, it's been difficult to study the long-term effects on users because researchers often don't have a starting point before marijuana use began on which to base their measurements.

In this study, which appears in the April 2 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, researchers compared the IQ scores of 70 participants before they started smoking pot (aged 9-12) with their current scores at age 17-20. Among heavy users who currently smoked more than five joints a week, IQ scores dropped by an average of 4.1 points.

But among light users (fewer than five joints a week)*, researchers found gains in IQ scores of about 5.8 points. Former users and non-users also had slight increases in their scores -- of 3.5 and 2.6, respectively.”

This means there is a balance of how much to smoke. A balance of about fewer than five joints a week*, which can increase your IQ 5.8 points. A difference in increase of 2.3-3.2 points compared to a former or non-smoker. Meaning that your IQ score may gain around three points if you smoke just fewer than five joints a week, than if you do not smoke at all. I can feel that marijuana increases your ability to think in some way. Sometimes it seems to make you think fast bringing what they call the, immediate, mind-numbing effects**, as it may be too fast. The only reason I have seen for stating marijuana to be illegal was that there was no way to correctly and easily measure a dosage. Well how about fewer than 5 joints a week for a dosage?

Bud_man_8 · 04-17-2005, 03:28 PM

Well I'm a pretty chronic smoker (roughly an 1/8 oz. a day) and I found that times when I smoke crazy amounts one day and then don't smoke for like 2 days I feel all dumb and slow like a really low stoned feel like all I want to do is lay on the couch and listen to reggae. I don't know how this helps with your post but anyway.

Buzzby · 04-17-2005, 06:05 PM

That had to be one of the dumbest posts I've ever read!

jadeite_20 · 04-27-2005, 03:12 PM

Yep. It is only when you don't take initiative to move around that you feel just like "laying on the couch listening to reggae." It will feel like that if you don't try to move. But that is one of my fave side effects the fact that it helps you relax, finally from all the stress you have to go through in everyday life. ?

gggunit · 05-05-2005, 03:15 AM

Weed helps me focus and concentrate, maybe I have ADD or something but it really helps.

Muggles · 07-04-2005, 12:39 AM

Greetings,
This is my first post, so if this thread is not in the correct Forum, I apologize. I am a researcher and graduate student in the field of Health Sciences at a large US university. As such, I have access to extensive peer-reviewed academic research databases. While copyright law forbids me from posting the full-text article, a brief summary is fair use and might be of interest to the readers here.

Quote:

Methods: We determined marijuana use for seventy 17- to 20-year-olds through self-reporting and urinalysis. IQ difference scores were calculated by subtracting each person’s IQ score at 9–12 years (before initiation of drug use) from his or her score at 17–20 years. We then compared the difference in IQ scores of current heavy users (at least 5 joints per week), current light users (less than 5 joints per week), former users (who had not smoked regularly for at least 3 months) and non-users (who never smoked more than once per week and no smoking in the past two weeks).

Results: Current marijuana use was significantly correlated (p < 0.05) in a dose related fashion with a decline in IQ over the ages studied. The comparison of the IQ difference scores showed an average decrease of 4.1 points in current heavy users (p < 0.05) compared to gains in IQ points for light current users (5.8), former users (3.5) and non-users (2.6).

Interpretation: Current marijuana use had a negative effect on global IQ score only in subjects who smoked 5 or more joints per week. A negative effect was not observed among subjects who had previously been heavy users but were no longer using the substance. We conclude that marijuana does not have a long term negative impact on global intelligence. Whether the absence of a residual marijuana effect would also be evident in more specific cognitive domains such as memory and attention remains to be ascertained.

Citation: Current and former marijuana use: preliminary findings of a longitudinal study of effects on IQ in young adults. Fried P, Watkinson B, James D, Gray R. CMAJ. 2002 Apr 2; 166(7): 887-891. PMCID: 100921

NB: CMAJ = Canadian Medical Association Journal, the Canadian equivalent to our JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). It is Tier I, "white" literature, meaning that before publication the results are reviewed by scientists who think the authors are wrong. I'll not digress into a discussion of peer-review or the protracted process of publishing in top-tier journals unless readers have questions.

Peace,
Muggles

"Ah, there's nothing more exciting than science. You get all the fun of... sitting still, being quiet, writing down numbers, paying attention... Science has it all." - Principle Skinner, The Simpsons

Higher Logic · 07-04-2005, 01:01 AM

People who read email have lower IQs than marijuana smokers too...then again, I've heard studies that say the exact opposite, that marijuana users score better on SAT/IQ tests.

Muggles · 07-04-2005, 01:10 AM

Thank you for your quick reply. I am not advocating nor discouraging the use of marijuana. I posted the thread only to make current scientific thought available to our readers. If you have peer-reviewed studies on either side of the debate, I am eager to read them; please post.

Best,
Muggles

"Ah, there's nothing more exciting than science. You get all the fun of... sitting still, being quiet, writing down numbers, paying attention... Science has it all." - Principle Skinner, The Simpsons

Buzzby · 07-04-2005, 01:22 AM

This study has already been discussed on these boards, back in April when it was first published. Look at this thread.

What was interesting to me is that people who smoked less than 5 joints a week had an average increase in IQ of 5.8 points.

Muggles · 07-04-2005, 02:06 AM

Quote:

This means there is a balance of how much to smoke. A balance of about fewer than five joints a week*, which can increase your IQ 5.8 points. A difference in increase of 2.3-3.2 points compared to a former or non-smoker. Meaning that your IQ score may gain around three points if you smoke just fewer than five joints a week, than if you do not smoke at all. I can feel that marijuana increases your ability to think in some way. Sometimes it seems to make you think fast bringing what they call the, immediate, mind-numbing effects**, as it may be too fast. The only reason I have seen for stating marijuana to be illegal was that there was no way to correctly and easily measure a dosage. Well how about fewer than 5 joints a week for a dosage?

I'm not sure I can agree with your conclusions here. Do you have additional peer-reviewed literature that supports your contention that using marijuana, in any amount, raises IQ? Upon further review, the results of the study may support your contention (p<0.02), but I'd like to see additional data.

Quote:

[...]there was no overall difference in IQ difference score between former users and non-users, a subgroup of former users, those who had used at least 5 joints per week (heavy use), was analyzed separately; again, there was no significant difference relative to non-users (t-test, p = 0.7). This lack of a negative impact among the former heavy users is striking, as they had smoked, on average, an estimated 5793 joints over 3.2 years (mean of 37 joints per week); in contrast, the current heavy users had smoked, on average, an estimated 2386 joints over 3.1 years (mean of 14 joints per week).

From the above it appears as though the data support the contention that heavy marijuana use (as defined in the study) does not have long-term, permanent effects on general IQ. Additionally:

Quote:

The IQ deficit among heavy current users in the present study likely reflected residue of the drug in their bodies.10

Please don't misinterpret my intentions here.

However, I find the assertion that the use of marijuana increases general IQ incredible, and, as the person who makes the assertion, the burden of proof falls on you. Of course I have an open, scientific mind. Please enlighten me.

Thank you for pointing me to the previous post and for your diligence and attention to detail.

Peace,
Muggles

"Ah, there's nothing more exciting than science. You get all the fun of... sitting still, being quiet, writing down numbers, paying attention... Science has it all." - Principle Skinner, The Simpsons

04-17-2005, 09:37 AM	#1
stringOB New Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2 Grams: 667.60 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	Can Marijuana Make You Smarter? Can Marijuana make you smarter? From: WebMD]WebMD[/url] "April 2, 2002 -- Smoking five or more marijuana joints a week can make you feel stupid -- really. A new study shows heavy marijuana use can actually lower your IQ (intelligence quotient). Researchers say it's one of the first studies to look at the long-term effects of marijuana on intelligence. Although the immediate, mind-numbing effects of marijuana are well known, it's been difficult to study the long-term effects on users because researchers often don't have a starting point before marijuana use began on which to base their measurements. In this study, which appears in the April 2 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, researchers compared the IQ scores of 70 participants before they started smoking pot (aged 9-12) with their current scores at age 17-20. Among heavy users who currently smoked more than five joints a week, IQ scores dropped by an average of 4.1 points. But among light users (fewer than five joints a week), researchers found gains in IQ scores of about 5.8 points.* Former users and non-users also had slight increases in their scores -- of 3.5 and 2.6, respectively.” This means there is a balance of how much to smoke. A balance of about fewer than five joints a week, which can increase your IQ 5.8 points. A difference in increase of 2.3-3.2 points compared to a former or non-smoker. Meaning that your IQ score may gain around three points if you smoke just fewer than five joints a week, than if you do not smoke at all. I can feel that marijuana increases your ability to think in some way. Sometimes it seems to make you think fast bringing what they call the, immediate, mind-numbing effects*, as it may be too fast. The only reason I have seen for stating marijuana to be illegal was that there was no way to correctly and easily measure a dosage. Well how about fewer than 5 joints a week for a dosage?

04-17-2005, 03:28 PM	#2
Bud_man_8 New Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 74 Grams: 1,090.05 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	Well I'm a pretty chronic smoker (roughly an 1/8 oz. a day) and I found that times when I smoke crazy amounts one day and then don't smoke for like 2 days I feel all dumb and slow like a really low stoned feel like all I want to do is lay on the couch and listen to reggae. I don't know how this helps with your post but anyway. __________________ "I've felt the hate rise up in me... Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves... I wander out where you can't see... Inside my shell, I wait and bleed... " Cory Taylor - Slipknot Death Metal Rulz!!!! Slipknot Home Nile Home

04-17-2005, 06:05 PM	#3
Buzzby Buddhist Curmudgeon Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 14,189 Grams: 42,801.64 Groans: 33 Groaned at 42 Times in 35 Posts Thanks: 486 Thanked 3,540 Times in 1,787 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	That had to be one of the dumbest posts I've ever read! __________________ McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time. Do we really want four more years of the same old shit? ~ Buzzby, 08/31/2008 Theocracy Watch

07-04-2005, 01:01 AM	#7
Higher Logic Web Developer Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 6,123 Grams: 5,802.38 Groans: 3 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks: 2 Thanked 58 Times in 33 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	People who read email have lower IQs than marijuana smokers too...then again, I've heard studies that say the exact opposite, that marijuana users score better on SAT/IQ tests. __________________ Crucial Web Hosting · Garden's Cure · Marijuana Recipes · Drug Testing Facts Dilution · Substitution · Urine Testing · Hair Testing · Drug Testing FAQ

07-04-2005, 01:10 AM	#8
Muggles New Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 7 Grams: 667.40 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	Citations? Thank you for your quick reply. I am not advocating nor discouraging the use of marijuana. I posted the thread only to make current scientific thought available to our readers. If you have peer-reviewed studies on either side of the debate, I am eager to read them; please post. Best, Muggles "Ah, there's nothing more exciting than science. You get all the fun of... sitting still, being quiet, writing down numbers, paying attention... Science has it all." - Principle Skinner, The Simpsons

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04-27-2005, 03:12 PM	#4
jadeite_20 New Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 48 Grams: 670.10 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	Yep. It is only when you don't take initiative to move around that you feel just like "laying on the couch listening to reggae." It will feel like that if you don't try to move. But that is one of my fave side effects the fact that it helps you relax, finally from all the stress you have to go through in everyday life. ?

05-05-2005, 03:15 AM	#5
gggunit New Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 17 Grams: 668.60 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	Weed helps me focus and concentrate, maybe I have ADD or something but it really helps.

07-04-2005, 01:22 AM	#9
Buzzby Buddhist Curmudgeon Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 14,189 Grams: 42,801.64 Groans: 33 Groaned at 42 Times in 35 Posts Thanks: 486 Thanked 3,540 Times in 1,787 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	This study has already been discussed on these boards, back in April when it was first published. Look at this thread. What was interesting to me is that people who smoked less than 5 joints a week had an average increase in IQ of 5.8 points.

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