cannabisnews.com: Calculating The Risks of Marijuana Use










  Calculating The Risks of Marijuana Use

Posted by CN Staff on April 15, 2004 at 10:07:25 PT
By Rebecca A. Stauffer, M.D. 
Source: Times-Standard  

Talking about the physiological effects of marijuana can be a little like talking about religion -- perspective counts. Marijuana causes seizures; marijuana can treat seizures. Marijuana causes panic attacks; marijuana relieves anxiety. Marijuana may precipitate schizophrenia and causes depression; marijuana improves mood.What is going on here? The problem is that an individual's acceptance of one side of these statements over the other is more dependent on belief and perspective than on scientific evidence, of which there is a little, for all of these statements.
It has been difficult to get really good studies on the effects of marijuana for a number of reasons, including the regulatory barriers arising from its legal status. In addition, the content of THC (the main active ingredient) varies widely, an individual subject's history of marijuana use affects his/her response, and many potential subjects who have had a bad experience with marijuana choose not to volunteer to be studied.The other reason that perspective matters so much is that if one is interested in the medicinal aspects of marijuana, then everything else becomes "side effects," and, depending on the seriousness of the condition, one may be willing to tolerate significant side effects. However, if one is primarily interested in the psychoactive effects of the drug, then other hazards such as damage to organs, addiction potential, withdrawal symptoms, and impairment of other functions are more important considerations.In fact, there are some things that we really do know about the physiological effects of marijuana. The plant contains potent psychoactive chemicals called cannabinoids, of which THC is the most abundant. Interestingly, there are cannabinoid receptors in the human brain, as well as chemicals produced by the body that bind to the receptors and cause changes in the nerve cells. We do not yet fully understand the effects of these internally produced chemicals.We know that the acute psychoactive effects of the cannabinoids include euphoria, talkativeness, and dreaminess, followed by lethargy, and sleepiness, though some individuals experience panic attacks, depression and even hallucinations. Blood flow in the brain has been measured to decrease in some areas and increase in others after use. There is short-term memory loss and impaired performance of complex tasks, both mental and physical.Individuals who use marijuana are at risk of developing dependence on the drug, particularly adolescents or those with psychiatric disorders. There is a newly described, distinctive withdrawal syndrome, which is similar to but milder than that due to alcohol and opiate withdrawal.Especially worrisome is the damage caused to lung tissue by inhaled marijuana smoke. British research has shown that the impact per puff is many times worse than that of tobacco, because of the large amount of tar deposited. Since many marijuana smokers also smoke tobacco, the cumulative effect on lung tissue can be very damaging. Chronic marijuana smokers report the same amount of bronchial irritation and coughing as tobacco smokers over the same time period, though the amount of marijuana smoked is usually much less. In fact, smoking approximately one and a half joints is equivalent to a half pack of cigarettes in terms of lung damage. Cellular and molecular studies implicate marijuana as a carcinogen.Also of concern is the fact that adolescents and young adults are at risk of both experimenting with marijuana and of becoming dependent on it. Data from students at college show the more that students smoke marijuana, the higher their risk for lower grades and dropping out of school. They also are at higher risk for alcohol and other drug abuse, unprotected sex, and tobacco use. All of these can affect their academic goals as well as their long-term health. Too many students draw the incorrect inference that, "It doesn't kill you like alcohol can, therefore it is safe," rather than weighing the known physiologic and psychologic impacts on their lives, both current and future.Although we are learning that there are potential legitimate medicinal uses of cannabinoids, we also know that there are serious harmful effects for recreational users. The acceptance of risk of these effects must be considered in the context of its use.Rebecca A. Stauffer, M.D., is director of Student Health & Counseling at Humboldt State University.Source: Times-Standard (CA)Author: Rebecca A. Stauffer, M.D.Published: Thursday, April 15, 2004 Copyright: 2004 MediaNews Group, Inc.Contact: editor times-standard.comWebsite: http://www.times-standard.com/Related Articles:Ex-Aide Goes To Bat for Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18607.shtmlTime To Cut Through The Legal Haze of Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18484.shtml

Home    Comment    Email    Register    Recent Comments    Help





Comment #11 posted by goneposthole on April 15, 2004 at 18:40:13 PT
common side effects of two prescription drugs
Zoloft* More common side effects may include:Abdominal pain, agitation, anxiety, constipation, decreased sex drive, diarrhea or loose stools, difficulty with ejaculation, dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, gas, headache, decreased appetite, increased sweating, indigestion, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, pain, rash, sleepiness, sore throat, tingling or pins and needles, tremor, vision problems, vomitinghttp://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/ZOL1503.HTMCelexa* More common side effects may include:Abdominal pain, agitation, anxiety, diarrhea, drowsiness, dry mouth, ejaculation disorders, fatigue, impotence, indigestion, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, painful menstruation, respiratory tract infection, sinus or nasal inflammation, sweating, tremor, vomiting* Less common side effects may include:Amnesia, attempted suicide, confusion, coughing, decreased sexual drive, depression, excessive urination, fever, gas, impaired concentration, increased appetite, increased salivation, itching, joint pain, lack of emotion, loss of menstruation, low blood pressure, migraine, muscle pain, rapid heartbeat, rash, skin tingling, taste disturbances, visual disturbances, weight gain, weight loss, yawninghttp://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/CEL1079.HTMYou know what? I think I'll stick with the herb.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by lombar on April 15, 2004 at 15:23:49 PT
where do these people come from...
"Too many students draw the incorrect inference that, "It doesn't kill you like alcohol can, therefore it is safe," rather than weighing the known physiologic and psychologic impacts on their lives, both current and future."It doesnt kill you like ... potato chips ...
Heavy social drinkers show brain damage, study finds
[ Post Comment ]

 


Comment #9 posted by Virgil on April 15, 2004 at 14:14:05 PT

What an idiotic piece.
The big picture on medical Miracleplant is that it is an injustice because it should be legal to start with. If it were legal to start with there would be no problems with research and transfer of knowledge with frank discussion and candor.What is wrong with the whole picture is that there should be Free Cannabis For Everyone. Then people could try it and see if it helps. But even inside of the medical questions is the glaring inconsistency within the Schedule of Narcotics. Marinol is the only substance listed with its brand name and it is listed in Schedule 3. The exact same molecule that could be extracted from cannabis much, much, much cheaper than the $17.25 for one-hundredth of a gram is barred from use altogether. I have never heard of someone having an allergy to the other cannabinoids or it adversely reacting with other medicines. That is the big picture and it show is a theme of corruption.So blood flow changes in the brain with cannabis use- big fucking deal. It changes when you sleep and when you watch television.You know this growth hormone they give milk cows that cuts their life in half for the benefit of more milk per day is bad news. Now the prohibition model of cannabis applied to a real problem with milk, that is federally mandated in all public schools BTW, would be to shoot the cows and take away peoples houses and farms that even had cows. There is a problem and we must attack the source as Kerry blashems on his webpage. Forget cannabis. It needs to be free. Protect us from growth hormones in cattle that is real and get the UN to wipe out cattle and when they are gone and the Nazis hormone the goats for milk, shoot them too.Cannabis Prohibition is a farce and a fraud. Even in the discussion of medical Miracleplant, that is the most relevant point to the whole issue. And someone should mention it proves we are ruled by treason.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #8 posted by mamawillie on April 15, 2004 at 13:55:06 PT

I can sum it up in one word
SHEEPSHEEP SHEEP SHEEP SHEEP SHEEP SHEEP SHEEP SHEEP SHEEP SHEEPI don't have the energy to rebut these idiotic comments like from this doctor.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #7 posted by kaptinemo on April 15, 2004 at 13:27:21 PT:

BD, I'm just heartly sick of intellectual 
sloppiness on the part of those who should know better. This smacks of academic laziness to me...and I was always being challenged on the basis of my assumptions by those I was answerable to. They provided me invaluable lessons as to the necessity of "getting yer s**t straight" lest somebody else, *acting on your questionable knowledge*, mess around with technology that could turn around and bite them where they sit. Or more intimate places. And I'd be partially to blame, being in a quasi-supervisory role. This doctor OUGHT to know what she's talking about, but it's evident she's relying upon questionable sources for her premises. Almost certainly the ones with a reason to lie. Like Uncle. A subject this important deserves more than a "Cliff Notes" treatment. Bad enough she's deluding herself; worse if she's deluding her charges.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #6 posted by phil_debowl on April 15, 2004 at 12:23:02 PT

kinda funny 
kinda funny how this 
"We do not yet fully understand the effects of these internally produced chemicals."is immediatly followed by everything else. Seems kinda contridicting.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #5 posted by BigDawg on April 15, 2004 at 11:59:41 PT

Thanks Kaptinemo
You rebutted that well.It is the sentence that made my blood boil.Caffiene/Opiates/cocaine ALL affect the SAME neurotransmitters. Cannibis is an entirely different animal. To say that the withdrawl symptoms are similar to ANY other drug is a flat out lie.And as you clearly stated... caffiene has a worse withdrawl than cannibis.
[ Post Comment ]



 


Comment #4 posted by FoM on April 15, 2004 at 11:25:51 PT

Calculating The Risks of Marijuana Use
I know the risks of marijuana use! Getting Arrested! Going To Jail! Losing Aid for a College Education! Taking People's Property! Those are the honest risks!
[ Post Comment ]



 


Comment #3 posted by kaptinemo on April 15, 2004 at 11:16:06 PT:

Cite some FACTS, Doctor, if you please
*There is a newly described, distinctive withdrawal syndrome, which is similar to but milder than that due to alcohol and opiate withdrawal.*Try 'caffeine withdrawal', Doctor, as some have *subjectively described as experiencing, but no one has been able to quanitify to any degree*. Which is considerably milder than the torture undergone by those experiencing 'cold turkey' from the substances you mentioned. (And you have to ask, *why* were these dangerous substances mentioned rather than the more commonly referred to 'caffeine withdrawal'?) Studies, please.*British research has shown that the impact per puff is many times worse than that of tobacco, because of the large amount of tar deposited. Chronic marijuana smokers report the same amount of bronchial irritation and coughing as tobacco smokers over the same time period, though the amount of marijuana smoked is usually much less. In fact, smoking approximately one and a half joints is equivalent to a half pack of cigarettes in terms of lung damage. Cellular and molecular studies implicate marijuana as a carcinogen.**Which* British study? She works at a college, and doesn't know the value of footnotes?(Tiredly) Okay, here we go again: Where are all the dead hippies who've been smoking nothing but weed these past 50 years? According to the usual claptrap, the morgues should have to rent space in meat lockers to accomodate all the deceased potheads. They should be stacked like cordwood by now. Autopsies should show that their pulmonary equipment should be black as a coal miner's lungs from all that tar. So...where are they? Still kicking around, Doc, hale and hearty for the most part; must be the anti-neoplastic cancer fighting compounds they regularly are receiving. Not to mention the nerve-sheath (myelin) protecting qualities of cannabinoids; compare that to some shivering wreck of a drunk undergoing DT's. Cheese and chalk, apples and oranges, and A (most especially!) does not equal B.This sounds like she's job-hunting for a billet in ONDCP, sending up a trial balloon to see if anyone in the bureaucracy notices, not serving her student's best interests.
[ Post Comment ]



 


Comment #2 posted by drfistusa on April 15, 2004 at 11:11:58 PT

yah yah yah, no scientific evidence 
and another lie, lie, lie, dependent on belief, WHY NOT BE BASED ON EXPERIENCE, experience says it works, all my life, anything that does have published scientific papers supporting it, if the PC doesn't support it or industry does not agree, than all the supporting papers disapear and suddenly "there's no scientific evidence" because a "dr. EXPERT " SAYS SO. It's all about afiliation not scientific credibility ,and no scientific paper out of the U.S nbeed apply, so much for the scientific method. 
[ Post Comment ]



 


Comment #1 posted by FoM on April 15, 2004 at 10:41:07 PT

News Brief from TheKCRAChannel.com
Citrus Heights Approves Medical Marijuana Shop Elk Grove, Roseville Have Already Approved Similar Shops April 15, 2004Citrus Heights, Calif. -- Citrus Heights has joined a growing number of cities to allow medical marijuana shops.The Citrus Heights Planning Commission met Wednesday night to discuss a request to open such a shop, and approved the request after making a few zoning changes. Supporters said that, despite the controversy, they are glad that seriously ill patients will be getting help."This is about a medical facility ... nobody wants to see some bad establishment come in to the community ... we're looking at a medical facility to help patients," supporter Nathaniel Sands said.The cities of Roseville and Elk Grove have also approved medical marijuana shops.California voters approved a ballot measure in 1996 that legalized the use and sale of marijuana for medicinal purposes.Copyright 2004 by TheKCRAChannelhttp://www.thekcrachannel.com/news/3008370/detail.html
[ Post Comment ]






  Post Comment