Marijuana.com

Ganja101

"
Few and often contradictory reports exist on the long-term neurobiological consequences of cannabinoid consumption in adolescents. The endocannabinoid system plays an important role during the different stages of brain development as cannabinoids influence the release and action of different neurotransmitters and promote neurogenesis. This study tested whether long-lasting interference by cannabinoids with the developing endogenous cannabinoid system during adolescence caused persistent behavioral alterations in adult rats. Adolescent female and male rats were treated with increasing doses of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for 11 days (postnatal day (PND) 35-45) and left undisturbed until adulthood (PND 75) when behavioral and biochemical assays were carried out. CB1 receptor level and CB1/G-protein coupling were significantly reduced by THC exposure in the amygdala (Amyg), ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) of female rats, whereas male rats had significant alterations only in the amygdala and hippocampal formation. Neither female nor male rats showed any changes in anxiety responses (elevated plus maze and open-field tests) but female rats presented significant 'behavioral despair' (forced swim test) paralleled by anhedonia (sucrose preference). In contrast, male rats showed no behavioral despair but did present anhedonia. This different behavioral picture was supported by biochemical parameters of depression, namely CREB alteration. Only female rats had low CREB activity in the hippocampal formation and prefrontal cortex and high activity in the NAc paralleled by increases in dynorphin expression. These results suggest that heavy cannabis consumption in adolescence may induce subtle alterations in the emotional circuit in female rats, ending in depressive-like behavior, whereas male rats show altered sensitivity to rewarding stimuli.Neuropsychopharmacology advance online publication, 2 January 2008; doi:10.1038/sj.npp.1301664." (Pubmed.com)



My brother told me that his Doctor(counselor w.e) told him pot makes you go crazy if you smoke as a teen. And apparently if you go to Pubmed.com and search cannabis it comes up with these articules.


Now I am wondering do I need to stop smoking pot and wait til I am a little older.


And the "doc"(I am doubting his credibility now but he is not cheap) told my brother that more than one person in my school that started as a freshman are in mental institutions because of weed.


My view on it is that the "doc" got my bro to trust him and is now feeding him bullshit so he discontinues smoking mj. Which it would help him out and its prolly the only way he would quit but seriously I like mj and I want the truth to be known so lets hear some opinions.



EDIT: I just saw at the top of the front page of the website, it said national library. Is this the old bs from back when prohibition started.

I apologize for the profanity but I will not censor because I believe censorship causes blindness.

 

Buzzby

There is very questionable evidence that heavy and frequent marijuana use by boys before the age of 14 can activate a tendency towards developing schizophrenia. My take is that if you are under 14 and a heavy, frequent cannabis user, you already have a screw loose somewhere, i.e. you do a lot of drugs because you're trying to cope with your mental health problems.

I wouldn't suggest the frequent or heavy use of any recreational drug by anyone under the age of 18, simply because the mind is still developing and we need to get our feet firmly planted in consensual reality before we start exploring the outlands with mind-altering substances.

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Plainsman1963

From what I understand, the brain doesn't actually quit developing until the early/mid twenties.

So definitely don't abuse any mind altering substance until later in life, if you must abuse one at all. Moderation is everything.

Edit: Is Bullshit a profanity? I thought it was a fucking obscenity.

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Hashishi

Or because you`re surrounded by them in an uncontrolled, black market environment.

The schizophrenia or 'insanity' argument is completely polar. The research cited here, for instance, observed behavioural changes but doesn`t state their longevity. In the social sector, many councillors come across disturbed teens and I`m willing to believe their claim that cannabis is a potent, exacerbating factor in their condition. This is not enough of a basis to assume that it is the cause of their problems, though.

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SWP



"I'm not into this detail stuff. I'm more concepty." -- "If I know the answer I'll tell you the answer, and if I don't, I'll just respond, cleverly." -- "Secretary Powell and I agree on every single issue that has ever been before this administration except for those instances where Colin's still learning." -- "As we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns: the ones we don't know we don't know."

5drive

I'm a big believer in the 'clean teen' concept. Physically and mentally, they're not finished growing, and they tend to indulge in extremely stupid and dangerous activities when under the influence. I know I did. Thankfully, I didn't start using mj until my 20's, so I'm only slightly insane now.

 

Viper420

They got too much shit on their minds already to understand the concept of getting high and how it affects them.

window2

I don't think children should be using mind altering drugs at all. If you want to experiment, do so when you know, and understand what your getting yourself into. Life is long and hard enough without adding crap to it.

Kyler Smyler

This sounds like a bunch of Reefer Madness xD. Wouldn't it depend on the person? To argue that it is harmful to fragile young minds is spot on, but perhaps it could also be beneficiary to some degree? I think the plant is just another target for doctors to point their fingers at to coverup faulty parenting.

disheartenedwamerica

Well to start, I am now of the position that kids should not be using any mind altering subatances, but that was not always the case. I am now 19, I have a tested IQ of 152 (which doesn't mean shit anyway IQ is so controversial), I have a 3.9 GPA in college, and job offers with financial advising firms for when I finish school and get my licenses. I smoked marjiuana almost everyday since I was 15. I don't know that if affected me negatively other then making some questionably stupid decisions that I may have made anyway, cannabis or not. On the other hand I am not a neurologist. I do not know to any length or degree the effects of cannabis on a childs brain. From personal experience I can say that it didn't hurt me, but honestly it is most likely too early for me to tell. It has only been four years.

Point being cannabis is great, far safer then tobacco or alcohol, but children should not be imbibing any type of mind altering substance. Although I stick to this position, when my children are teens, if they insist on trying things, or doing them, I will insist it be marijauana, and in my home to eliminate the dangers of law enforcement, not to mention teenage stupidity. (I know I had a few of those moments, stoned and sober lol.) It is highly unlikely it has adverse effects, actually thanks to two new scientific studies it is clear it may be extremely benificial. I am refering to:
e.Peak (31/10/2005) news: science: Study shows marijuana increases brain cell growth
Marijuana Cuts Lung Cancer Tumor Growth In Half, Study Shows

So aside from neurogenesis which is undoubtably benificial, science still has a lot to learn about what cannabis does to the brain, more specifically the teenage brain. I can say I grew up, and I am not crazy, in fact I am extremely motivated and I plan on running for public office in the future. But I am still of the position that kids should be kept away from mind altering substances. Then again it would be unrealistic to expect all kids to never experiment. Just make sure you do it in a safe environment...AWAY FROM COPS...cops are far more harmful the cannabis could ever be, it is my hope that no one on this site has to do deal with the power hungry parasites that I have come accross in law enforcement. Good luck. Just my input....

PEACE

RON PAUL 2008

THC Fiend

I made a personal decision to go mad a few years ago. I haven't regretted it for even a second.

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