Marijuana might cause new cell growth in the brain

Pah · Oct 15, 2005

Marijuana might cause new cell growth in the brain

* 22:00 13 October 2005
* NewScientist.com news service
* Kurt Kleiner
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8155 subscription required

A synthetic chemical similar to the active ingredient in marijuana makes new cells grow in rat brains. What is more, in rats this cell growth appears to be linked with reducing anxiety and depression. The results suggest that marijuana, or its derivatives, could actually be good for the brain.

In mammals, new nerve cells are constantly being produced in a part of the brain called the hippocampus, which is associated with learning, memory, anxiety and depression. Other recreational drugs, such as alcohol, nicotine and cocaine, have been shown to suppress this new growth. Xia Zhang of the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada, and colleagues decided to see what effects a synthetic cannabinoid called HU210 had on rats' brains.

They found that giving rats high doses of HU210 twice a day for 10 days increased the rate of nerve cell formation, or neurogenesis, in the hippocampus by about 40%.

Druidus · Oct 15, 2005

Similar to this, Canada's national university, Carleton University in Ottawa, found that moderate use of marijuana actually causes a relatively large increase in one's IQ.

Majikthise · Oct 15, 2005

I think the key here is moderate use, as stated in Druidus's reference. I don't know what the study indicates as moderate, but I would say two to three times a week might be considered moderate use.

Maybe we'll be seeing chess playing rats soon, who knows?

lilithu · Oct 15, 2005

Pah said:
A synthetic chemical similar to the active ingredient in marijuana makes new cells grow in rat brains. What is more, in rats this cell growth appears to be linked with reducing anxiety and depression. The results suggest that marijuana, or its derivatives, could actually be good for the brain.

Makes sense given that long-term depression has been shown to reduce IQ.

Druidus · Oct 15, 2005

I think the key here is moderate use, as stated in Druidus's reference. I don't know what the study indicates as moderate, but I would say two to three times a week might be considered moderate use.

Indeed, the key is moderate use. Severe use was shown to be detrimental to one's intelligence. According to the study, moderate use was interpreted as around five times per week. The study also showed that even long term heavy use of marijuana doesn't cause permanent harm to intelligence. Three clean months wipes the slate (incidentally, three clean months also removes the marijuana benefits, for the moderate users).

Ardent Listener · Oct 15, 2005

Druidus said:
Indeed, the key is moderate use. Severe use was shown to be detrimental to one's intelligence. According to the study, moderate use was interpreted as around five times per week. The study also showed that even long term heavy use of marijuana doesn't cause permanent harm to intelligence. Three clean months wipes the slate (incidentally, three clean months also removes the marijuana benefits, for the moderate users).

Moderate use is five times per week! Sorry, but in my day if someone used marijuana that often he or she was considered to be a pot head.:biglaugh:

Ardent Listener · Oct 15, 2005

Ardent Listener said:
Moderate use is five times per week! Sorry, but in my day if someone used marijuana that often he or she was considered to be a pot head.:biglaugh:

The other two days a week they ran out.:bonk:

Majikthise · Oct 15, 2005

Druidus said:
Indeed, the key is moderate use. Severe use was shown to be detrimental to one's intelligence. According to the study, moderate use was interpreted as around five times per week. The study also showed that even long term heavy use of marijuana doesn't cause permanent harm to intelligence. Three clean months wipes the slate (incidentally, three clean months also removes the marijuana benefits, for the moderate users).

Five times a week huh? Good to know , I'll have to step up my intake a little.

I've had friends who have been to alcohol rehab and they say if you have been drunk more than three times in your life you are an alcoholic. I got all mine out of the way in one week when I was in my late teens. One man's molehill is another man's mountain I guess.

But really Dru, interesting stuff ,thanks

.

Majikthise · Oct 15, 2005

COME ON PEPOLE , IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT!! WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!:shout

The Black Whirlwind · Oct 15, 2005

bah. too expensive. and it doesn't taste good either.

Majikthise · Oct 15, 2005

Fat Kat Matt said:
bah. too expensive. and it doesn't taste good either.

That's why you have to eat so much. To get the taste out. Geez ,do I have to explain everything?

:biglaugh:

The Black Whirlwind · Oct 15, 2005

no, the smoke tastes bad in my mouth, and then i got ash in my throat. i will never smoke out of an apple again.

Flappycat · Oct 16, 2005

Actually, adding the stuff to your food is supposed to make it last much longer. The effects are not as acute, but that's a good thing if you're looking for a milder buzz. I never took to smoking the stuff because I really don't like the way it hits me, but I wouldn't mind a milder, longer-lasting effect. Even as an illegal substance, it is cheap enough to attain. I imagine that, if legalized, it would become much cheaper to use than alcohol. Why is this drug still illegal?

The Black Whirlwind · Oct 16, 2005

i've only smoked once, and it was th green. it didn't taste good,and i didn't get high. i might as well do it again, i wonder what its like to be high?

Flappycat · Oct 16, 2005

Fat Kat Matt said:
i've only smoked once, and it was th green. it didn't taste good,and i didn't get high. i might as well do it again, i wonder what its like to be high?

You get kinda dreamy, you laugh with the slightest provocation, you may find yourself making very obvious observations that, at the time, sound like major philosophical breakthroughs, don't be surprised if you find yourself looking at a chain link fence cross-eyed to make it appear closer and taking delight as your hand "passes right through it," you might start talking your way through simple actions and repeatedly remarking on how amazingly excellent it is to do these things in a particular (correct) way ("Closing the door to the fridge is very good. It keeps in the cool air, and that's a good thing because cool fridges are the way to go, uh-huh! Now we pour the cereal into the bowl, not onto the floor, because we like putting our cereal into bowls...not too much, though!"), and, from what heard, you may get a little paranoid (I didn't). Give me a couple of good beers any old day.

The Black Whirlwind · Oct 16, 2005

the guy i smoked with, pot head since he was 9 or 10

, he just kept saying dude and "stay away from my pop tarts or i will kill you". and he was all bleary-eyed and stuff. i wasn't the only one there, my best friend, and some other dudes. thanks for the info flappy. now i just have to experience it myself

Majikthise · Oct 16, 2005

My cat + laser pointer = fun

Flappycat · Oct 16, 2005

Fat Kat Matt said:
the guy i smoked with, pot head since he was 9 or 10 , he just kept saying dude and "stay away from my pop tarts or i will kill you". and he was all bleary-eyed and stuff. i wasn't the only one there, my best friend, and some other dudes. thanks for the info flappy. now i just have to experience it myself

Just remember these two rules: doing things in their proper way is absolutely the most wonderfully cool and awesome thing in the world; doing things improperly is bad because it takes all the fun out of things, and we don't want that. Remembering these highly important guidelines plays a major role keeping yourself from looking like a complete and total idiot or badly injuring yourself while you're high (reminding my brother of them a few times kinda helped to steer him clear of hazards on the few occassions that I've seen him truly stoned out of his mind).

Majikthise · Oct 16, 2005

One of the best things to do stoned is listen to some music. You start to hear little nuances and individual instruments even if you've heard the song a thousand times. And try some new tunes. I never liked Madonna , but listened to Ray of Light for the first time while stoned and now it is one of my all time favorite cds. It just makes the music come alive , makes it more vivid.

Watcher · Oct 16, 2005

I wanna listen to pink floyd stoned...hahaha

Marijuana might cause new cell growth in the brain

Uber all member

Keeper of the Grove

Majikthise

Guest

The Devil's Advocate

Keeper of the Grove

Active Member

Active Member

Majikthise

Guest

Majikthise

Guest

Well-Known Member

Majikthise

Guest

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Majikthise

Guest

Well-Known Member

Majikthise

Guest

The Gunslinger