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| Study Links Marijuana Use to Schizophrenia |
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Posted by CN Staff on July 10, 2002 at 06:38:00 PT By Rick Docksai, CNSNews.com Correspondent Source: CNSNews.com 
Marijuana use can stimulate the symptoms of schizophrenia, according to researchers at Okayama University in Japan. Their study found similarities between the brain dysfunctions in schizophrenic patients and the disruptions in brain activity caused by marijuana use.The Okayama University study traced schizophrenic delusions to the cannabinoid receptor protein, a chemical located inside human brain cells. The researchers examined the gene responsible for the receptor protein in patients with schizophrenia, and then compared it to the same gene in healthy patients. The comparison revealed distinct abnormalities in the gene of the schizophrenic patients. The functioning abnormalities in the receptor protein are similar to the disruptions in the protein's functioning caused by marijuana use, the researchers said. THC, the main chemical in marijuana, produces the hallucinatory effects of marijuana by latching onto the cannabinoid receptor protein and over-stimulating it. For those already genetically prone to schizophrenia, this added stimulation might be all that is required to trigger psychotic episodes. "This result provides genetic evidence that marijuana use can result in schizophrenia or a significantly increased risk of schizophrenia," lead researcher Hiroshi Ujike stated. The Okayama report confirms the results of a 1987 study conducted in Sweden in which higher incidents of schizophrenia were discovered among army conscripts who had used marijuana. The Swedish study showed that the incidence of schizophrenia among conscripts who were "heavy" and "chronic" users of marijuana was six times higher than it was among those who had not smoked. Marijuana, however, has only been linked to schizophrenia in those who are already genetically prone to the disease. There is little evidence to suggest that it poses any such risk to those not genetically predisposed to schizophrenia. "They (non-schizophrenics who smoke marijuana) might have altered perception while they're smoking," said Dr. William Carpenter, Director of the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, "but in terms of developing the disease, it may be a very small risk factor. For most people it won't happen." Many people susceptible to schizophrenia, however, do not show any symptoms of the illness. The symptoms would only appear if triggered by an external stimulus like marijuana, according to Robert Pertwee, a pharmacology professor at Aberdeen University in Scotland. "There are people who appear perfectly normal and have no idea they are prone to the condition," Pertwee said. There has been much debate in recent years about the potential medicinal use of marijuana. While some experts claim the drug is effective in treating chronic pain, and in alleviating the symptoms of cancer, glaucoma, bipolar disorders and HIV, others have expressed concerns about its safety. A report released by the National Institutes of Health stated that: "Marijuana increases schizophrenia by a factor of four to six, disorients the user, causes psychotic reaction, panic, anxiety, hallucinations, reproductive cellular disruption and cancer." Proponents of medicinal use of marijuana counter that the proven risks associated with marijuana are no more significant than those of other, legal prescription drugs. "The Institute of Medicine found that the negative effects associated with marijuana are not worse than medications that are available by prescription," said Robert Kampia, Director of Government Relations for Marijuana Policy Project, a movement for the legalization of medically prescribed marijuana. Kampia acknowledged the risks of marijuana use, and stated that physicians should use much discretion when opting to prescribe the drug. "Marijuana isn't the best medicine for all patients, it's just the best medicine for some patients, and so it should be between the doctor and the patient to determine whether marijuana is the right treatment," Kampia said. Carpenter and Ujike both said more research was needed regarding the link between marijuana and schizophrenia. Source: CNSNews.com Related Articles & Web Site: Marijuana Policy Project Gene Glitches Link Pot With Schizophrenia Cannabinoid Receptor May Play Role Schizophrenia Are People with Schizophrenia Drawn to Smoking Pot Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #11 posted by VitaminT on July 10, 2002 at 16:10:47 PT |
| these guys are from somewhere to the right of Hitler, perusal of their website readily confirms this. For them someone like Sean Hannity represents fair and balanced. So far this story has been reported by two sources these guys and UPI (now controlled by rev. Sun Yung Moon) [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #10 posted by Lehder on July 10, 2002 at 12:41:50 PT |
| I saw a clear plastic baggie at the bus stop last Friday. It contained a card labeled This bag contains seven high quality marijuana seeds. Must have been some schizophrenic.
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| Comment #9 posted by Dan B on July 10, 2002 at 11:37:07 PT |
| It is true that this article is more balanced than most, and it is also true that more and more writers are recognizing the need to present both sides of this issue instead of the traditional government-approved version. This development is very significant. Think back to the 1950s and early 60s when abortion was not raised as a topic of debate, except in the most "extremist" groups. But, when it finally became a debated topic in the latter part of the 60s, prohibition of that practice went down in flames within about six years. No matter what you think about abortion (and, quite frankly, I am kind of sorry to bring it up, except for the parallel I see for us in this conversation), I think we can agree that it is a pretty good political analogue to the situation we have now with cannabis prohibition. I believe that legalizing cannabis is, as a topic of debate, approaching the level that the debate over abortion reached in the latter part of the 1960s, a few years before it was made legal under Roe v. Wade. I don't think, however, that we can look to the Supreme Court for leadership in this matter. But the sooner dissent against cannabis prohibition reaches critical mass, the sooner elected politicians will respond to that dissent for fear of being voted out of office. One more thing: when cannabis is finally legalized, expect another industry to develop, much as one developed immediately after Roe v. Wade legalized abortion. You will likely see an explosion of 'Criminalize Marijuana' paraphernalia that will make the current government-paid, anti-drug advertising blitz seem like small potatoes. Bumper stickers with "clever" slogans of hatred toward "drug users" will appear on the bumper of every "good" right-winger's SUV, buttons will adorn their lapels, and platoons of goons will march under banners that say, "We Are the Counter-Counter-Culture, and We Are Proud!" "Alcohol: The Healthy Alternative," and "Cannabis, Schmannabis!" When this happens, expect large hordes of people to show up at their parades and festivals . . . to point and laugh, and maybe to smoke a J or two. Dan B [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #8 posted by bruce42 on July 10, 2002 at 08:47:17 PT |
| "Marijuana increases schizophrenia by a factor of four to six, disorients the user, causes psychotic reaction, panic, anxiety, hallucinations, reproductive cellular disruption and cancer." Really? That's news to me. Boogey man indeed. Apparantly I don't smoke nearly enough cannabis because I'm supposed to suffer all of these syptoms- according to the NIH. Here's a quick question... how do you increase schizophrenia? I thought either you had a disease or not. whatever... and remember kids, don't do drugs, but feel free to stop by your friendly neighborhood squirt 'n scram to stock up on Marlboro's, Old Mil, Coke, Snickers bars, little debbie snack cakes, caffeine pills.., and don't forget to refill your Ritalin, Prozac, and Zoloft prescriptions... just watch out for heart diseases, liver diseases, lung diseases, cancer, diabetes, obesity, tooth decay, nausea, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, anxiety, nervousness, weakness, loss of appetite, tremors, dry mouth, sweating, decreased sex drive, impotence, dry mouth, upset stomach, feelling usually tired or sleepy, diarrhea/loose stools, tremor, feeling agitated, indigestion, yawning, tics, and headaches... and proven physical addiciton... but for god's sake kids, don't smoke that demon weed. http://www.zoloft.com/index.asp?pageid=43 http://www.prozac.com/HowProzacCanHelp/SafetyFacts.jsp http://www.healthysource.com/ritalin.html [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #7 posted by FoM on July 10, 2002 at 08:41:37 PT |
| http://www.cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=CNSNews [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by darwin on July 10, 2002 at 08:35:44 PT |
| I was pleased to see balance in the article. By including the statements of Robert Kampia, and ending with both sides agreeing that more study is needed, the article is relatively balanced. More and more, articles seem to be toning down the negatives and provided counterpoints.
As for Schizophrenia, I agree that Cannabis is not a good medicine for people with a family history of the disease. If paranoia is a problem with anyone, they should not smoke. But we are talking about a small number of people. Someday there will be prescription baggies with a little sticker of warnings. Warning: Patients with a history of Schizophrenia should consult their doctor before use. Discontinue use if youe experince an anxiety attack. Do not operate heavy machinery while under this medication. Objects may appear more edible than they actually are. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by illustro on July 10, 2002 at 08:25:15 PT |
| From http://www.cnsnews.com/about/aboutcns.asp: "The Cybercast News Service was launched June 16, 1998 as a news source for individuals, news organizations and broadcasters who put a higher premium on balance than spin. Study after study by the Media Research Center (http://www.mediaresearch.org) -- the parent organization of CNSNews.com -- clearly demonstrate both a liberal bias in many news outlets and a frequent double-standard in editorial decisions on what constitutes 'news.'" ("Balance" my butt). This is just another right wing "nut tank" putting their spin on marijuana. IMHO anything from CNS and the Media Research Center should be dismissed as pure propaganda. Besides, anyone that quotes any drugs study from Sweden automaticly lose points with me. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by FoM on July 10, 2002 at 07:36:42 PT |
| I know that fear of jail, because of the laws against cannabis, can cause a person to act not mentally stable. Fear of jail will make a normal healthy individual act like they might be mentally ill in my opinion. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by Windminstrel on July 10, 2002 at 07:20:42 PT |
| 'A report released by the National Institutes of Health stated that: "Marijuana increases schizophrenia by a factor of four to six, disorients the user, causes psychotic reaction, panic, anxiety, hallucinations, reproductive cellular disruption and cancer." ' Scary stuff, eh? How many of you folks have psychotic reactions and/or cancer? Spray that statement with Lysol™, as it's obvious that the NIH pulled those numbers out of it's ass. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by Patrick on July 10, 2002 at 07:09:42 PT |
| The symptoms would only appear if triggered by an external stimulus like marijuana ...and flatulence would only appear if triggered by an external stimulus like steak n beans! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by goneposthole on July 10, 2002 at 07:04:12 PT |
| Then conduct the study. Thomas Jefferson did not believe there was such a thing as a meteorite. He called them 'thunderstones', the kartoffelkopf. [ Post Comment ] |
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