Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Quantumcat on 16/06/2003 00:55:16
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A friend I talk to online smokes marijuana, and he doesn't want to quit. I'm sure it is harming him greatly but he says it's harmless. He used to use both marijuana and cocaine, but is getting off cocaine. He does not want to quit marijuana. If you know of <b>exactly</b> what it does to the brain and body, and how this will damage him, please tell me, so maybe I can slightly convince him to try and get off it!!!!!!!!! I really need some help. I can't find anything decent on the internet, it all says it damages you but does not say how. Presented with these kind of articles he just says they are scare tactics and marijuana doesn't actually do anything to you at all and its harmless. Pllleeeeeeaaasse help if you can!
Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!
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Quantum,
I'm on my way to my "meeting" where plenty of doctors attend. I'll ask and try to post later.
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Ok, according to one M.D., There are little finger like transmitors in the brain that "toss" electricity back and forth in the form of thoughts. I believe this is called synapses? When T.H.C. enters the brain, it causes these "fingers" to curl up and somewhat glue back. this widens the gap between them and thoughts are S l o w . Too much T.H.C and this starts to become more permanent. The "fingers" are shriveled and become less functional causing the brain to underwork. Unlike other drugs as in cocaine, that overworks the heart and brain, this is a depressant. Halucinogens cause too much information to be sent. Like if I called you on the phone and just talked to you would be normal. On L.S.D. for example, I would call you and would be connected with everyone in town at once. T.H.C. would be a very bad connection full of static and disconnections. As if the wires were frayed. It would slow down the thought transfer and you would only get half of the information. Making you lethargic in thought and slow in reactions, mental and physical....(and hungry?)
What was the topic? I forgot. Oh, yeah, um, ok, weed. Well, the less information transfered, the less stored and thus the loss of short term memory. Or, something like that.
There are a few medicinal benifits from smoking weed, but that's like saying that cigarettes aid in digestion. Umm, so? The cons outweigh the pros in this case. I'll try to get more from some other "experts" and post when I can. Now, where'd I leave my pipe?
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oh, that sounds promising, thanks! When you say fingers do you mean receptors or are they something else[?]
Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!
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Receptors sound good to me. It was explained to me in laymans terms as "fingers" but I believe you are correct.
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Quantum,
I have to admit to you all that I've been straying. I've been tempted by this other site and have been unfaithful. I think I may love this other site. Not more, just in a different way. I just don't know what to do. Maybe we can still be friends and I can visit as often as possible. I think this may benefit all of us. I just want the best for us all.
While I was with the other site, I found this article. It is very informative and may be able to help with your freind that smokes too much weed. I wouldn't suggest the friend seeing the site because I started salivating and I havn't smoked in years. Just get what you can and pass it on...and don't keep it too long. Pass it on as soon as you're done. Don't "bogart" it. (sorry)
The site is: http://people.howstuffworks.com/marijuana.htm
Good luck,
Ronnie
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You can easily take part on more than one site, it can even benefit people as you have just shown, maybe you can even be an ambassador for this site and tell new friends on the other site about us...
Richard.
Resident Tour Operator - The Naked Scientists
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Well, actually, Angel (cuso4) is the pusher on this. She told me about this site and now I'm hooked. I'm also hooked here. Must be my addictive personality [:)]. I do tell everyone about The Naked Scientists. I love it!
Cheers on 400!
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Thats cool, we need great ambassadors like you to get more people interested in discussing Science, the more people we get regularly visiting, the more interesting subjects we can address and thus the more we learn!!!
Resident Tour Operator - The Naked Scientists
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Absolutely. I've learned so much in the last few weeks after discovering this site. I can't wait to pass this on to my son who loves science. Again, great site.
Ronnie
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You're leaving? :(
You can go to both can't you?
Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!
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Oh, no. I'm not going anywhere. I wrote that in jest as a filanderous husband would explain an affair. I was just being silly. I love this site. I'll be here daily and will toggle between the two sites. It's not even a forum site...just educational. Me and my addictive personality can get caught up for hours on these web sites. See you tomorrow,
Ronnie
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Ronnie, glad you're not really leaving this site. For a moment I thought I was responsible for it. However I've got to admit that the site I told you about really is brilliant. Still love this site though.
Angel (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsmilies.networkessence.net%2Fs%2Fcontrib%2Fruinkai%2FbiggrinangelA.gif&hash=7a3ab31861328a98db23edcb21639ab9)
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Alright, great that you're not leaving :)
Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!
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quote:
Originally posted by Ians Daddy
Ok, according to one M.D., There are little finger like transmitors in the brain that "toss" electricity back and forth in the form of thoughts. I believe this is called synapses? When T.H.C. enters the brain, it causes these "fingers" to curl up and somewhat glue back. this widens the gap between them and thoughts are S l o w . Too much T.H.C and this starts to become more permanent. The "fingers" are shriveled and become less functional causing the brain to underwork. Unlike other drugs as in cocaine, that overworks the heart and brain, this is a depressant. Halucinogens cause too much information to be sent. Like if I called you on the phone and just talked to you would be normal. On L.S.D. for example, I would call you and would be connected with everyone in town at once. T.H.C. would be a very bad connection full of static and disconnections. As if the wires were frayed. It would slow down the thought transfer and you would only get half of the information. Making you lethargic in thought and slow in reactions, mental and physical....(and hungry?)
What was the topic? I forgot. Oh, yeah, um, ok, weed. Well, the less information transfered, the less stored and thus the loss of short term memory. Or, something like that.
There are a few medicinal benifits from smoking weed, but that's like saying that cigarettes aid in digestion. Umm, so? The cons outweigh the pros in this case. I'll try to get more from some other "experts" and post when I can. Now, where'd I leave my pipe?
What a load of nonsense. I thought this site was about facts and truth not govt propoganda. All sorts of people suffer with short term memory loss but if one of those people happns to smoke then suddenly its that evil weed again.
GET A GRIP.
Read some facts, please.
Use a search engine - look for Prof Grinspoon of Harvard Medical School or Prof Zimmer of Univ of NY.
Hugh Robertson
Legalise Cannabis Alliance
PO Box 198
Norwich NR3 3WB
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Please, don't kill the messenger. It was explained to me and I passed it on.
I'm all for weed, but my probation officer just tends to frown on it.[:(] I'd love to see it legalized here in the states, but the "war on drugs" seems to be a "cash cow" for the state. Don't see it happening real soon.
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I believe we've touched on the real issue behind it...money. You can't patent a plant.
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quote:
Originally posted by Donnah You can't patent a plant.
I wish that were true but plant patents are a reality.
'They' cannot stop millions of people growing it at home - and that means big business cannot profit from it. And the longer they take to legalise it the more homegrowers there will be. If it was legal all along, then the homegrowing is highly unlikely to have caught on.
Hugh Robertson
Legalise Cannabis Alliance
PO Box 198
Norwich NR3 3WB
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True, how many tobacco plants are growing in peoples back yards!
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Jolyon, I have two tobacco plants in my living room (along with the avocado, pomegranite, pineapple, aloe, tomato...).
Hugh, I wonder if the patent restrictions on plants are different in various countries. I'll be talking to my lawyer soon and will check on that.
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As far as I know, there is only one thing that cannot be patented and that is a scent. That's the case here in the states.
As far as the money aspect of legalization... Anything that is a little off kilter and makes no sense or is downright awful is stemmed from money. There are lots of reasons to legalize MJ and I've heard them all. I've gathered at the NORML rallies and signed petitions. All the reasons are sound and solid, but it still stems from money (and pride).
Now, anything can be debated. We could go on about this until we were blue in the face and someone would argue that it's really not blue, but more of a shade of green. Bottom line is..... It's about the bottom line.
Alcahol was outlawed and then petitioned back. What a mistake. Think they want anymore blood on their hands? OK, so there isn't any blood associated with MJ because the good doctor Mary Jane Bongwater Phd. from the University of Memory Loss, in Weed, Montana did a little (or alot) of research. Well, until it draws more revenue than the "War on drugs" does, with it's citations, arrests, statistics, attorney's fees, tax dollars and court costs, it will remain illegal. There will always be scare tactics such as "Reefer Madness" and the like. The marijuana ring, as a whole, has a bad image. Cry freedom all you want. March a million pot-heads up to the capitol. Sign all the petitions you want. Until you tip the money scales, you'll have to hide your stash.
When, and if, it is legalized, and I hope someday it is, I'll smoke a fat one with you.
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This topic makes for interesting debate. Marijuana was only made illegal during the middle of the 20th century. Prior to that, it was used for clothing, medicinal and recreational purposes. Governments considered it's properties OK until the cotton growers in the USA decided to lobby the Government to ban the drug because they considered it a threat to the cotton industry. They based their lobbying on the effects the drug has on the mind, but this was not their real agenda. The qualities of the hemp were thought by the cotton growers to be superior to cotton and easier to grow. In fact, their fears are ungrounded because the fibrous qualities of cotton are superior to that of hemp, and cotton is easier and cheaper to process and has a better yield.
Marijuana was first bought to Australia by Sir Joseph Banks, the botanist travelling with Captain James Cook. When they "discovered" Austraila in 1770, seeds were planted in the Hunter Valley (about 160 kms north of Sydney)and the strain that grew was the purest in the world at the time. It had grown unchecked for 200 years, and when the hippies of the late 60's found it, well, they don't remember what they did with it but there isn't any left. Sir Joseph planted the seeds so that the settlers would have access to this wondrous plant for it's recreational use, it's medicinal qualities and it's fibres for making clothing. Unfortunately, they forget to tell anyone it was there until it was found in the late 60's and it's history was researched. Maybe, they also had their own stash.
Also, the penalties for backyard tobacco growing exceed those for growing marijuana (in Australia). Another point to consider is that most narcotic drugs were also legal early in the 20th century.
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Hey, if you can't patent a scent, how does perfume get patented?
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They patent the formula, name and bottle. Just like a secret recipe. However, the scent itself can be knocked off with no reprocussions.
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I strongly support the use of drugs where they can serve a helpful medicinal purpose. The reason that doctors are allowed to prescribe morphine / heroin is that it is an excellent painkiller and its risks (respiratory arrest, cardiovascular collapse, dependency) are far outweighed by the benefits - when it is used in the correct setting.
There are similar benefits to the application of the active agent in marijuana - THC. Indeed trials are underway to look at the potential benefits of using a cannabis-like agent to boost the appetites of dementia sufferers who are notoriously bad eaters.
But in the same way that we don't trust the public to self-administer opioids (like heroin) sensibly, why should we suddenly expect them to be able to cope with cannabis ? Any drug is a potentially dangerous drug. People smoke it, which is immediately bad for your health and may encourage people to become tobacco dependent, it has lifelong consequences for your nervous system - some susceptible individuals develop schizophrenia - it has a profound demotivating effect and is also a gateway drug.
"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
- Groucho Marx
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quote:
Originally posted by chris
I strongly support the use of drugs where they can serve a helpful medicinal purpose.
Are you assuming that people who oppose a bad law are in favour of increased use? There are many many people who can see that the law is ineffective, if not counter-productive, even though they do not use, or approve of use.
quote:
There are similar benefits to the application of the active agent in marijuana - THC.
THC is only one active ingredient. Trials with THC only show that is is frequently less effective than whole cannabis. Synthetic THC is available in the UK and the US already so we know what hte patients think.
quote:
Indeed trials are underway to look at the potential benefits of using a cannabis-like agent to boost the appetites of dementia sufferers who are notoriously bad eaters.
There are several other trials underway - ms, pain relief, spinal injuries....
quote:
But in the same way that we don't trust the public to self-administer opioids (like heroin) sensibly, why should we suddenly expect them to be able to cope with cannabis ?
Millions of people already do. Why make them criminals?
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Any drug is a potentially dangerous drug.
If health was the determining factor then aspirin and peanuts would be made illegal - they are responsible for more deaths annually than cannabis ever has been.
quote:
People smoke it, which is immediately bad for your health and may encourage people to become tobacco dependent, it has lifelong consequences for your nervous system - some susceptible individuals develop schizophrenia - it has a profound demotivating effect and is also a gateway drug.
3 myths.
The science is out there - if you think you are correct please provide peer-reviewed cites for your claims.
Hugh Robertson
Legalise Cannabis Alliance
PO Box 198
Norwich NR3 3WB
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Hello Everyone:
What I am about to say is not scientific information. I always hear things like "There is no long-term information", etc. Well, I consider myself to be a long-term study.
I have been smoking marijuana steadily since 1967. That's almost 3/4 of my life.
I smoked tobacco for 32 years. I stopped in 1992.
I abused alcohol for 30 years. I stopped in 1996.
I have tried LSD, cocaine, opium, speed, and mescalin,all repeatedly and nicotine has been my only physical addiction. Let's not leave out caffeine.
Yes, I have had problems with short-term memory, but age is as much to blame as THC, and it is easily remedied.
The mind is similar to a muscle in the respect that it responds favorably to exercise. Chess, crossword puzzles, learning,(a new language, how to play an instrument, a new exercise regime, etc.) Lumosity, read and study whatever interests you.
Part of the problem is stereotyping. Not all marijuana users are like Spicoli in "Fast Times At Ridgemont High"
Another big part of the problem is that hydroponic marijuana contains 8 to 10 times as much THC as pot that is
grown in soil and users in general have not made the transition. I feel that is part of the reason that today's music is not as good as the music from the 60's and 70's. That's not just my opinion. Most TV commercials use classic rock and roll.
THC is not to blame for your current attitude. If anything it would be the fact that you are denying yourself
the soothing effects of THC. THC is not physically addictive. It is however quite mentally addictive, just like gambling or religion.
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I'm not sure I'd agree that psychosis is an entirely soothing state to be in, to be honest.
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Sometimes, its seems crazy that...
...most of us doesn't really know the real facts, or they are blinded by propaganda...
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People smoke it, which is immediately bad for your health and may encourage people to become tobacco dependent
There's cake, pancakes, Chocolate, ...
In fact, everything made with molten butter can be turned in a 'space recipe'.
Some pro's for THC that I know of without searching for others:
THC speeds up metabolism, which is great news for people on a diet, if they can withstand the munchies.
THC does not induce physical drawback symptoms when quitting (nicotine does, so don't think you can't get physically addicted to joints)
THC is a painkiller (widely known by now) and especially to eye-related pain.
Some con's for THC that I know of without searching for others:
THC has effects on the brain physiology (the fingers from the posts above are axons and dendrites) in a way that the developing brain of a young smoker (less than 21 years old) will have very similar defects like patients suffering from schizophrenia, explaining some symptoms like paranoia. THC effects on a fully developed brain (older than 21) are very minimal.
Conclusion: It's OK to smoke weed, as long as you wait 'til your 21.. [;)]
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I have worked in the field of substance abuse recovery. Let me make a suggestion to Quantumcat ... Get at what's behind your friend's addiction, because the addiction is only a symptom and there's always something behind it. Once you understand that, you can help him all the better with his substance problem. Yeah, I mean for you to psychoanalyze him.
there's a difference between your experience of addiction and the usage of marijuana. your view of drugs may be skewered because you have been exposed to relatively worse cases. unfortunately i think most of the health-drug information we receive is.. hmm. well. imbalanced. the world's governments have an interest in keeping down the usage of drugs i think, and they do this to the extreme & emphasise the bad side of drugs while ignoring the good. everything is potentially dangerous to you - it's the quantity that really matters..
besides, isn't this conversation to help out the OP kind of pointless? it was 6 years ago..