cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Abuse Affected by Genes and Environment





Marijuana Abuse Affected by Genes and Environment
Posted by CN Staff on October 08, 2004 at 22:20:01 PT
By Reuters
Source: Reuters Health
New York -- Previous research has established a moderate relationship between marijuana abuse and depressive disorders. Now researchers report that the association between marijuana use and major depression probably arises from a combination of shared genetic and environmental vulnerabilities. Lead author Dr. Michael T. Lynskey and colleagues report the findings of their large study in the Archives of General Psychiatry. 
To examine the role of genetics and shared childhood environment in the relationship between marijuana abuse and major depression, Lynskey, at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and his team interviewed individuals enrolled in the Australian Twin Register, at around 30 years of age. They identified 277 pairs in which one twin used marijuana while the other didn't. The odds of depression, suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide were 1.3 to 3.4 times more likely in the marijuana-using twin compared with the twin who was not a user. The strength of the association was higher in fraternal twins than identical twins This latter finding "implies that shared or correlated genetic vulnerabilities make substantial contributions" to the association between marijuana use and depression, the authors report. Depression onset before age 17 or early suicidal thoughts in fraternal twin pairs, but not identical pairs, was significantly associated with rates of marijuana dependence. Altogether, these results suggest that "depression does not cause people to use (marijuana), or that (marijuana) use and dependence do not in themselves cause depression," Lynskey said in an interview with Reuters Health. "So from a clinical point of view, it is not necessarily the case that eliminating one of those will automatically get rid of the other." In other words, he added, both problems "need to be addressed within the treatment setting." SOURCE: Archives of General Psychiatry, October 2004. Source: Reuters Health (Wire)Published: October 8, 2004Copyright: 2004 Reuters UnlimitedRelated Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmPot Shots for Israeli Soldiershttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19285.shtmlStudy: Marijuana Eases Traumatic Memories http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13601.shtmlPot Blocks Painful Memories, Study Says http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13600.shtml
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Comment #13 posted by The GCW on October 09, 2004 at 21:21:27 PT
Genes?
Pot contraceptives for men?http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/4013.html
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on October 09, 2004 at 18:14:53 PT
Thanks Ned!
I added it to my What's New page. Keep up the good work!
What's New in Drug Policy Reform
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on October 09, 2004 at 18:05:30 PT
Dankhank 
Thank You. I'm sure Ned will be happy to read both of your comments. 
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on October 09, 2004 at 18:02:11 PT
Even Fashion Might Be Different Soon
Galliano Aims for Hippies at Fashion ShowOctober 09, 2004John Galliano is reaching out to flower children - especially those with a platinum credit card. The zany designer, working for his eponymous fashion house, interspersed denim into fluffy cotton dresses and decked out his models in clunky, fur-lined hiking boots - some with stiletto heels - at his spring-summer 2005 ready-to-wear show on Saturday.As usual, it was sensory overload. There were pillbox hats, multicolored bikinis, pleated skirts with newspaper print designs and basket-like or inflatable hats. Some models had balloons in tow.Galliano said he was inspired by what young women look like after a few days at the Glastonbury Festival, the revelry-rich music bash that draws thousands of fans to southwest England each year.Any hippie could recognize the psychedelia: marijuana-leaf designs and bulbous, lava lamp-like shapes on light skirts in bright pink, orange and yellow.Complete Article: http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041009/APE/410090855
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Comment #9 posted by Dankhank on October 09, 2004 at 17:57:23 PT
Ned's PDF
Ned, It's great!!!Pulls a lot of stuff together in one neat package with some topical news of things going on as we speak and live.I hope you don't mind if I use some of it when I beard the editorial lions in their den in a few weeks.Again, well done.BYW, loved the comment on page 15: "Understand how it's legalization is an 'acid test' for preserving the gains of freedom - and bitter human experience - enshrined in the Constitution."Much of Ned's PDF concerned "cognition" and how THC facilitates. Acid Test refers to Ken Kesey's "Electric Cool - Aid Acid Test's, circa 1962 in SoCal... another "Consciousness - raising activity.It's all about the mind.
Don't Mind if I do
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on October 09, 2004 at 17:31:46 PT
siege
I'm glad you liked it. I haven't read it yet. I will. Today we watched Michael Moores movie. I watched it the other night but my husband and I just finished the movie. We now are listening to the Vote For Change Tour. I couldn't find any news to post today so far so we are letting today be a day of reflection on the climate of America. I will read it soon and then I will put it on my web site. I am feeling such positive vibrations that it's hard to explain. We will win and I believe soon if Kerry becomes our next president.
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Comment #7 posted by siege on October 09, 2004 at 17:25:26 PT
              FoM
A lot of good information and says a lot in all the right places.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on October 09, 2004 at 13:50:12 PT
Marijuana is the Antidote
Ned has been in contact with me and he did a pdf file that he really hopes people will read. Here is the link to the file. http://www.globalhemp.com/marijuana-is-the-antidote.pdf
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Comment #5 posted by sukoi on October 09, 2004 at 10:06:48 PT
Off Topic
Two presidential candidates who support marijuana legalization were arrested last night at the debate:Presidential Candidates Arrested at Debate
http://badnarik.org/newsfromthetrail.php?p=1346
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on October 09, 2004 at 10:02:13 PT
Just a Note
I can't seem to find any news to post today. I sometimes think it's best to not post any news rather then post news that doesn't really mean very much based on stats over the years. I'll keep looking though. I hope everyone has a nice weekend!
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Comment #3 posted by breeze on October 09, 2004 at 07:51:44 PT
how reliable are any reports from these "experts&q
The link below refers to how the FDA is OBVIOUSLY not a credible or reliable source concerning safety or even information of medications/drugs- this should raise flags to all who have known this, but further more, it SHOULD influence those who have had no idea of the fallacy of those who are in power. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6205699/
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Comment #2 posted by E_Johnson on October 09, 2004 at 07:40:27 PT
I wish science would study marijuana USER abuse
What is the scientific explanation for the actions of Judge Retchin?Why would amnyone who calls herself a human being do something like that?Is it in her genes to kill people, or does Judge Retchin have a developmental disability that leaves her morally impaired?Maybe there's a cure. Maybe stem cell research will be the key.
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Comment #1 posted by Shishaldin on October 09, 2004 at 04:44:00 PT
Another great study :(
To paraphrase:Altogether, these results suggest that "depression does not cause people to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or that peanut butter and jelly sandwich eating and dependence do not in themselves cause depression," So, what does my replacing marijuana with peanut butter and jelly sandwitches in the above paraphrase mean? Why, the same as the conclusion reached by the "good doctor" Dr. Michael T. Lynskey...NOTHING!I am so tired of this kind of idiotic, brainless crap coming from what should be learned men. Disgusting...Awake when I should have been asleep many hours ago,Shishaldin
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