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JPJ_Glassware

I was just sent this "proof" that marijuana is too dangerous to legalize...

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The effects of cannabinoids on the brain
by
Ameri A
Department of Pharmacy and
Pharmacology of Natural Compounds,
University of Ulm, Germany.
Prog Neurobiol 1999 Jul; 58(4):315-48



Cannabinoids have a long history of consumption for recreational and
medical reasons. The primary active constituent of the hemp plant
Cannabis sativa is delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC). In humans,
psychoactive cannabinoids produce euphoria, enhancement of sensory
perception, tachycardia, antinociception, difficulties in concentration
and impairment of memory. The cognitive deficiencies seem to persist after
withdrawal. The toxicity of marijuana has been underestimated for a long
time, since recent findings revealed delta9-THC-induced cell death with
shrinkage of neurons and DNA fragmentation in the hippocampus.

The acute effects of cannabinoids as well as the development of tolerance
are mediated by G protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors. The CB1 receptor
and its splice variant CB1A, are found predominantly in the brain with
highest densities in the hippocampus, cerebellum and striatum. The CB2
receptor is found predominantly in the spleen and in haemopoietic cells
and has only 44% overall nucleotide sequence identity with the CB1 receptor.
The existence of this receptor provided the molecular basis for the
immunosuppressive actions of marijuana.

The CB1 receptor mediates inhibition of adenylate cyclase, inhibition
of N- and P/Q-type calcium channels, stimulation of potassium channels,
and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase. The CB2 receptor mediates
inhibition of adenylate cyclase and activation of mitogen-activated protein
kinase. The discovery of endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligands, anandamide
(N-arachidonylethanolamine) and 2-arachidonylglycerol made the notion of a
central cannabinoid neuromodulatory system plausible. Anandamide is released
from neurons upon depolarization through a mechanism that requires calcium-
dependent cleavage from a phospholipid precursor in neuronal membranes. The
release of anandamide is followed by rapid uptake into the plasma and
hydrolysis by fatty-acid amidohydrolase. The psychoactive cannabinoids
increase the activity of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental
area-mesolimbic pathway. Since these dopaminergic circuits are known to
play a pivotal role in mediating the reinforcing (rewarding) effects of the
most drugs of abuse, the enhanced dopaminergic drive elicited by the
cannabinoids is thought to underlie the reinforcing and abuse properties of
marijuana. Thus, cannabinoids share a final common neuronal action with other
major drugs of abuse such as morphine, ethanol and nicotine in producing
facilitation of the mesolimbic dopamine system.
---------------------------

Is it just me, or does this thing seem a bit suspect? Hearing the old "pot kills brain cells" line in the first at the end of the first paragraph just doesn't inspire confidence in me...

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Fly_to_the_moon

Ehhh,,,, im not a brainiac, and i refuse to read to damn big words

Traslation please?

sk8erguy69

they must think that if they use big words theyll have to have you convinced.

Daintysquid

What the hell do those big words mean.
Too big to even bother reading them.

Newrea64

Not that I even tried to figure out what all of that means, but if the "pot kills brain cells" theory is true, ( I think it just makes them lazy for a while ) and this was published in 1999, why are they now just sending it out as if it were a big revelation?

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Panama

To the Chemical and Physiological forum.

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KWhite

Send it back with a pointer toward the publishing date.

First, there are studies that deny everything they are postulatinghere.
It has been shown that rats or mice will take other druges, those known to be addictive, and they will self dose on those drugs while ignoring food and or water.
This does not occur with marijuana.
Also, the anandamide release which they are using as a detrimental factor has been shown to mirror actions our own bodies use for pain control.
Thje presence of cannabinoid recepütors in the brain of humans is a very strong indicator that we evolved with this plant, using this plant.
The Canadian Senate report released on the 4th of September 2002 recognizes an impairment in cognitive abilities due to marijuana, but, and research mmay not have been available to these people, itis rather new, these effects fade quickly after use.
No long term cognition problems.

I would toss it back with as many newer studies as possible showing the latest research. Like cancer cell/tumor benefits to marijuana.
Better elasticity of muscles and less cramping for Multiple Sclerosis users.

Another glaring factor to this study, where are the bodies?
We have stoners well overthe old age mark by now, and why are they not dying at a faster rate than non smokers of cannabis?
Just a thought.
Kelly

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lazybumguy

i have a simple response. SO DOES BOOZE. and i didn't have to use fancy words either.

JPJ_Glassware

Well, the issue of immune system response can be addressed with those new studies. And the issue of abuse properties is irrelevant. Draw all the casual conclusions you like, but marijuana addicition does not exist (well, excluding certain people who are genetically predisposed to drug abuse. But that's their body, not the drug, that is causing their addiction.)

Does anybody know of any recent studies on the brain damage issue though? I don't recall anything dated in the past three years. I had believed the argument to be finally dead.

vaya

Just reply with this elegantly worded but short resonse;

"You Are Wrong"

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