[smart (OP)]

The term "addiction" is loosely defined. For example, I think cannabis addiction is psychological. As far as I know, there's no scientific study which has demonstrated that THC dependence is physical. I can stop smoking cannabis for weeks without any physical effects. So I guess THC tolerance depends on the frequency of THC administration.

Although physical addiction has not been proven,[3] an estimated 9% of those who use cannabis develop dependence.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_use_disorder

[zx16]

I think tobacco is more addictive than cannabis.  I've tried cannabis occasionally, over the years, but didn't really like it.  It just made my head confused, and caused memory drop-outs.  Like you're pursuing some line of thought, then suddenly you can't remember what it was you were thinking about.

Tobacco has never produced an effect like that.  Smoking a cigarette just calms and soothes. And admittedly after a while, it does get addictive.

But cannabis isn't addictive.

[smart (OP)]

Tobacco has never produced an effect like that.  Smoking a cigarette just calms and soothes. And admittedly after a while, it does get addictive.

I agree. The physical addiction to nicotine is nasty stuff. If I would have the money to always smoke cannabis instead of tobacco I would glady stop smoking tobacco. 

[smart (OP)]

One more thing

I propose that the psychological addiction to THC is strictly a mental activity of the subconscious system.

The subconscious system and dopamine works together to increase cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the frontal lobe.

The dopamine reward modulation by THC administration produces a neural synchronicity in calcium-dependent pathways.

In contrast, atypical antipsychotics induces dopamine hypersensitivity and increase dopamine D2 receptor availability.

The psychology of cannabis-addiction is correlated with brain connectivity and dopaminergic neurotransmission.

bubye!
 

[snorkfort]

I have it on good authority that cannabis is highly addictive, and increased use encourages exponential increase. Excessive use of marijuana can cause severe mental illness. It is obviously not gentle on the brain, as it has immediate significant effects on information processing, speed of processing, working and long term memory, eyesight, hearing, coordination, balance, judgement, etc. On the other hand, it's much safer than alcohol, and the general population consumes alcohol like there's no tomorrow. Occasional use of cannabis shouldn't be too harmful as long is one is responsible and stays home while under the influence.

[smart (OP)]

Is THC-induced activation of neural synchronicity a Subconscious system hack to access subliminal messages decoded by dopamine and calcium-dependent (Ca2+) pathways?

eVil StOner

[smart (OP)]

Does cerebral blood flow (CBF) is increased after REM sleep?

[smart (OP)]

Is the psychological addiction to cannabis drives creative thinking?

eVil StOner

[exothermic]

I have it on good authority that cannabis is highly addictive

That implication is completely false for the overwhelming majority of users.

Addiction:  Defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.

Compulsive:  Resulting from or relating to an irresistible urge, especially one that is against one's conscious wishes.





 

[exothermic]

increased use encourages exponential increase.

So if I decide to use more today.... I'll want to use a larger amount tomorrow?

No.

~


 

[exothermic]

Excessive use of marijuana can cause severe mental illness.

Now let's see the body of scientific evidence that would support such a notion?

[evan_au]

I heard that cannabis use downregulates endocannabinoid production, and also downregulates dopamine generation.

This means that regular users will suffer a deficit of these neurotransmitters when they stop smoking, putting them into a slightly depressed state that can be relieved by "going cold turkey", or by smoking another reefer.

So what makes a cannabis user go back - is it because they think they will feel better (psychological addiction), or is it because they really will feel better (physiological addiction)? And how would they tell the difference?

[smart (OP)]

I heard that cannabis use downregulates endocannabinoid production, and also downregulates dopamine generation.

I'm pretty sure that exogenous THC administration stimulate endocannabinoid synthesis.

So what makes a cannabis user go back - is it because they think they will feel better (psychological addiction), or is it because they really will feel better (physiological addiction)? And how would they tell the difference?

Cannabis addiction is psychological and is partly modulated by the subconscious system. The subconscious mind is implicated in the emotionality and state-dependent memory related with the (positive) usage of the drug.

[exothermic]

I heard that cannabis use downregulates endocannabinoid production

Cannabinoids are actually endocannabinoid mimetics, so that would be incorrect.

and also downregulates dopamine generation.

Unless you're referring to adolescence.... cannabis use is not associated with striatal DA alterations.

~

[exothermic]

This means that regular users will suffer a deficit of these neurotransmitters when they stop smoking, putting them into a slightly depressed state

Ummm..... no.

[exothermic]

what makes a cannabis user go back

The lack of negative consequences....

And the plethora of positive ones.

~

[evan_au]

I heard that cannabis use downregulates endocannabinoid production

Cannabinoids are actually endocannabinoid mimetics, so that would be incorrect.

I heard that cannabis use downregulates endocannabinoid production

I'm pretty sure that exogenous THC administration stimulate endocannabinoid synthesis.

I agree that cannabis mimics endocannabinoids, and cannabis locks into the same receptors as the endocannabinoids.

But the body strives to maintain homeostasis, so if something is locking up its endocannabinoid receptors, it will take a variety of actions to restore a balanced state.

And one of those possible actions is to reduce the body's own production of endocannabinoids to compensate for the external input. (Other possible compensatory reactions include reducing the sensitivity of the receptors.)

So rather than say "exogenous THC administration stimulate endocannabinoid synthesis", it would be more accurate to say that "exogenous THC administration displaces endocannabinoid synthesis".

Of course, if you suddenly reduce your external input, it takes a while for the body to resume normal production; in the meantime, the body suffers the biochemical imbalance of withdrawal symptoms from an addictive substance.

[smart (OP)]

Other possible compensatory reactions include reducing the sensitivity of the receptors.

Correct. Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) downsensitivity occurs from chronic cannabis usage, but as the user stop from using the Drug, the sensitivity of the receptor returns to normal.

So rather than say "exogenous THC administration stimulate endocannabinoid synthesis", it would be more accurate to say that "exogenous THC administration displaces endocannabinoid synthesis".

Exogenous THC administration "mobilizes" endocannabinoid releases.
 

[exothermic]

I agree that cannabis mimics endocannabinoids, and cannabis locks into the same receptors as the endocannabinoids.

But the body strives to maintain homeostasis, so if something is locking up its endocannabinoid receptors

.... Then it's not a cannabinoid mimetic.

[exothermic]

if you suddenly reduce your external input, it takes a while for the body to resume normal production; in the meantime, the body suffers the biochemical imbalance of withdrawal symptoms from an addictive substance.

No.

Unless you're referring to adolescence.... cannabis use is not associated with striatal DA alterations.

"This is the first report to evaluate both D2/3 receptor availability and striatal DA release capacity in chronic cannabis dependent participants compared to matched controls. Unlike other addictions, such as to alcohol, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine [22], chronic cannabis abuse or dependence is not associated with alterations in either of these indices. We therefore confirm the absence of alterations in D2/3 receptors previously reported [37] in a larger cohort"

Biol Psychiatry. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2013
Published in final edited form as:
Biol Psychiatry. 2012 Apr 15; 71(: 677–683.
Published online 2012 Jan 29. doi:  10.1016/j.biopsych.2011.12.018
PMCID: PMC3314125
NIHMSID: NIHMS346717
Dopamine release in chronic cannabis users: a [11C]raclopride Positron Emission Tomography study