Pot smokers brains are being malformed

[T9D]

I've known many pots heads since a kid an it is VERY apparent that it affects them in negative ways. It hands down slows and dumbs down parts of the brain and does permanent damage. Without a doubt. Is so easy to pick out a pot head. The one best friend I had as a kid is the worst. I had to stop his feed on facebook it's so annoying, he's hardcore pot head and it's so massively screwed up his brain. Trust me pot heads, you think you are totally normal. WE CAN TELL YOU ARE NOT. You just can't tell yourself or other pot heads.

 

[Markbnj]

I've known many pots heads since a kid an it is VERY apparent that it affects them in negative ways. It hands down slows and dumbs down parts of the brain and does permanent damage. Without a doubt. Is so easy to pick out a pot head. The one best friend I had as a kid is the worst. I had to stop his feed on facebook it's so annoying, he's hardcore pot head and it's so massively screwed up his brain. Trust me pot heads, you think you are totally normal. WE CAN TELL YOU ARE NOT. You just can't tell yourself or other pot heads.

So... did you smoke a lot of it? Or was it something else in your case?

 

[Greenman]

This reefer madness shit is getting old. This study is BS, bought and paid for by the Nancy Grace Nazis of the world who would love nothing more than to have a camera in your house 24/7 and a megaphone to yell at you about how to live your life.

What a sad, pathetic nanny state thread this is. Stop shilling for alcohol and big pharma please, thanks.

Somebody's little weed stained toes got steeped on.
Rather than a knee jerk reaction about the "man" holding you down, why not explain too us why you're so certain that a powerful drug is harmless.
I'm interested in the side effects, even if you want to pretend there are none.

 

[mnewsham]

a powerful drug

I would consider a drug that can kill you with ease a "powerful drug"

Weed is no more a powerful drug than caffeine, hell the LD50 of Caffeine is 200milligrams per kilogram. The LD50 of weed has been tested in dogs and monkeys at 3000milligrams per kilogram and there were no permanent side effects and they did not die.

 

[mmntech]

A lot of potheads I've spoken to over the years seen convinced that the it has little to no ill effects. Like alcohol, a joint once a week is probably not going to do much harm if any. Though if you're binge toking or doing it every day like some people I knew growing up, yah, it's definitely going to do some damage. There's plenty of peer reviewed scientific research to back that up.

Like anything that's mildly bad for you; fried chicken, wine, pot, moderation is everything. I'm starting to agree that criminalizing pot is a massive waste of resources and is actually encouraging crime. It should be treated the same as alcohol, with the same restrictions there in.

 

[Markbnj]

Like anything that's mildly bad for you; fried chicken, wine, pot, moderation is everything. I'm starting to agree that criminalizing pot is a massive waste of resources and is actually encouraging crime. It should be treated the same as alcohol, with the same restrictions there in.

QFT

 

[Greenman]

I would consider a drug that can kill you with ease a "powerful drug"

Weed is no more a powerful drug than caffeine, hell the LD50 of Caffeine is 200milligrams per kilogram. The LD50 of weed has been tested in dogs and monkeys at 3000milligrams per kilogram and there were no permanent side effects and they did not die.

Of course it's a powerful drug, try it some time, you'll see.

I don't give two shits about the stuff, and I think putting people in prison for smoking it is insane, but we need to be honest about it. Weed isn't some benign gift from nature that cures all ills and gives you whiter teeth and fresher breath, it's a mind altering drug, that's why people smoke it. I don't need comparisons to caffeine or bunny farts.

 

[Markbnj]

Of course it's a powerful drug, try it some time, you'll see.

I don't give two shits about the stuff, and I think putting people in prison for smoking it is insane, but we need to be honest about it. Weed isn't some benign gift from nature that cures all ills and gives you whiter teeth and fresher breath, it's a mind altering drug, that's why people smoke it. I don't need comparisons to caffeine or bunny farts.

It's powerful if you consider anything that is mind-altering "powerful." On the scale of all mind-altering substances it is rather mild, and certainly much milder in its effects than alcohol, imo.

 

[FelixDeCat]

Of course it's a powerful drug, try it some time, you'll see.

I don't give two shits about the stuff, and I think putting people in prison for smoking it is insane, but we need to be honest about it. Weed isn't some benign gift from nature that cures all ills and gives you whiter teeth and fresher breath, it's a mind altering drug, that's why people smoke it. I don't need comparisons to caffeine or bunny farts.

Me neither. Its clear that a flatulent animal is about as productive as an average pot smoker.

 

[FelixDeCat]

Felix, why don't you post studies touting the benefits of cannabinoids, such as how marijuana helps facilitate the growth of neurons, in conjunction with supposedly-and-potentially-negative-but-most-readers-and-reporters-didn't-really-understand-the-point-or-message studies?



Maybe you're just jelly they can smoke weed and have a good, normal life? Maybe you have some weird history with marijuana that you are not sharing with us? Now, make sure you read this all before you write it off as entirely anecdotal (see later part of reply).

Let's see, it is uncorrelated, but my grades went up after I started using it (B.S. in Computer Science, then got my M.S. in Information Systems, so not always a walk in the park).

Anxiety levels went down. I have minor anxiety that is easily controlled, but marijuana has helped "smooth" it out in the past few years.

Overall sense of well-being went up. Was already a very happy person with no real life complaints (started it entirely out of curiosity and decided to keep using because, hell, I like it!).

Confidence and life motivation went up.

Found myself becoming more interested in a wider variety of topics.

Became a more empathetic, caring person.

Desire to go outside vs. staying inside increased.

Noted and other benefits do not disappear when stopping long-term. Even if these were completely unrelated to my usage of marijuana, that still flies in the face of what you are trying to incorrectly assert about users.

As for downsides, I seem to have developed a slight dependency to it, in that I get minor headaches if I go without for a day or two. Less of an issue than a caffeine dependency, for sure, and that is pretty socially acceptable. Not something I'm worried about in the slightest. Most users report no forms of dependency, but I think it is mildly addictive but for mostly psychological reasons (like the internet).

Oh, it's not the cheapest thing in the world. Good thing I have a kick-ass job that I worked hard to secure and love going to on a daily basis. (Interestingly enough, I also work with a lot of users that I'm assuming you would believe they are hiding something terrible about their lives, or whatever. Some of my most motivated, high-reaching, intelligent coworkers in this corporation are regular users and have been since college, at least.)

Uh...can't think of a whole lot else. It has been mostly fun and beneficial with relatively few and minor downsides. I can live without it and be just as happy, but I can technically live without many other comforts in life and find ways to be happy too. It's nice to have around.

HOWEVER! I can personally draw up anecdotal reports of people I know that fall into the broad spectrum of marijuana users. Some fit the stereotypes. Some are even more successful, outgoing, and motivated in life than I am. Some are about as average as you'd expect. In other words, anyone in any life scenario could potentially be a marijuana user! *GASP*

Basically, finding out who uses marijuana is the equivalency of figuring out who is a Cylon. They're normal people from all aspects of life in all scenarios. I repeat, marijuana users are hiding among all of us from all walks of life! BEWARE!

Thus, it is important to not be a complete, naive, strangely-aggressive boob about the topic of marijuana, whatever your "side" may be.

I have said it again, and I will say it before. It is VERY important to consider what you put in your body while it, and especially your brain, is developing. So far, and from my anecdotal experiences, it seems it is safer to avoid marijuana until you are AT LEAST 18 or, better yet, 21...or 25 for best results, when the brain should be fully developed. I have yet to see evidence that use as a fully developed adult is detrimental (barring that everything in life caries a variable amount of risk depending on the person and situation), but I continue to look out for new studies on the matter.

Really, most of this is not news or unexpected to those more educated on the subject of marijuana (sorry, Felix). So far, many early studies seem to indicate brain changes, and you have to read carefully instead of assuming all changes are bad or completely understood, are more likely to take place the younger you start using marijuana (i.e., when your brain is rapidly developing). I did not know this when I started, but I started using regularly half-way through college. I seem to have come through unscathed, but it does remain to be seen how it might affect very long-term users. I have met users that started around the same time as me but did meet more downsides...usually, at that point in their life, they were likely to recognize this and stop before it became an actual problem. Not always. Thus, I encourage everyone to be smart about marijuana usage, because it's a wonderful thing if you're not a dumbass about it at let it control your life.

I don't think you'll get many other users who tout the benefits and awesomeness of marijuana while openly discouraging young folks from using it exactly because of these reasons and also recognizing that, in the end, it still isn't for everyone!

Hmmm...that was a mouth full. Well, more power to you, but I would not encourage drug use by anyone.

 

[Markbnj]

Me neither. Its clear that a flatulent animal is about as productive as an average pot smoker.

Now you're just trolling. I'd hire four potheads before I'd hire one drunk.

 

[destrekor]

Hmmm...that was a mouth full. Well, more power to you, but I would not encourage drug use by anyone.

That's fine, and THAT is the attitude and approach you should have in life.

Spreading misinformation, on the other hand, is offensive and detrimental to our future growth as a civilization. Accept that it isn't for you, grow up, and get the fuck out of here with the bullshit propaganda that couldn't be further from the truth.

"The smokers in the study, the experimental group, started smoking between the ages of 14 and 18 years old (16.6 years old with a standard deviation of two years). They were hooked up to an MRI, and Gilman and others found that the experimental group had structural differences in the nucleus accumbens and the amygdala regions of their brains (which relate to motivation and emotion)."

As was already stated earlier in the thread, the original study was not as many of these inflammatory articles have led you to believe. On the contrary, as is typical of scientific studies and peer-reviewed papers, they are often misinterpreted and exaggerated by the media, not necessarily on purpose - though some surely have an agenda or a goal to attract more views - but rather usually out of ignorance.


Fact is, marijuana is not perfect, got it. It should be kept out of the hands of youth. The study focused on a small sample of young adults who had started smoking, and who knows how much, while they were teenagers.

Study after study has demonstrated that smoking as a teenager is a very bad idea, a significant risk though not a guarantee of negative outcomes.

Your brain continues to develop, mature, and grow well into yours 20s. The average age of neural maturation is around 25. Due to the way averages are calculated, that means some people might night reach neurological/physiological maturity until they are nearly 30.

The science is out there: the constituent chemicals within marijuana have some serious wonder-drug capability for adults. As the chemicals do encourage neural growth, tissue repair and defense against unchecked growth - that sounds like something you may, perhaps, just want to limit exposing to young and developing brains.

No science has of yet demonstrated ANY negative impacts for fully-developed adults when consumed safely. Technically, for the least risk, it is best to start in your late 20s and no earlier. Perhaps it is even best to say wait until you are 30. That said, a consenting adult should have the right to risk the negative impacts (after age 21) due to the potential for overall benefit.

"There are at least a few different explanations for the differences and their meaning. For example, maybe people who use marijuana at a young age have natural differences in their brains. Or maybe a structural change in your brain, like a higher density amygdala, doesn't necessarily lead to good or bad effects.

There's way more research that needs to be done and that's Gilman's largest takeaway for others."

 

[BlitzPuppet]

I can't stand potheads personally, I have nothing nice to say about the stuff. I don't associate with it or any users by choice.

 

[z1ggy]

I knew a few kids in college who smoked weed every single day. They ended up being some of the smartest dudes I knew. I've also known people who did it every day and were some of the dumbest & most annoying I knew.

All in all, it probably just depends on your genes and body chemistry. Doing anything in excess probably isn't good for you but I'm guessing a little bit of weed every now and then is fine. Hell, don't "they" say 1 glass of red wine a day can even be GOOD for you?

 

[BlitzPuppet]

Hell, don't "they" say 1 glass of red wine a day can even be GOOD for you?

The same benefits can be had by drinking a glass of grape juice. They say wine specifically because it's more appealing and repeated by others as an excuse to drink.

 

[z1ggy]

The same benefits can be had by drinking a glass of grape juice. They say wine specifically because it's more appealing and repeated by others as an excuse to drink.

Doesn't matter. I was trying to say that things which are bad for you in excess ccan potentially have some benefit for you if they are had in moderation.

Marijuana can help people with chronic pain, ease levels of anxiety and relax their minds. Just as a small dose of alcohol (red wine in this case) can have some benefits for your heart, marijuana can have small positive effects for some as well.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

Doesn't matter. I was trying to say that things which are bad for you in excess ccan potentially have some benefit for you if they are had in moderation.

Marijuana can help people with chronic pain, ease levels of anxiety and relax their minds. Just as a small dose of alcohol (red wine in this case) can have some benefits for your heart, marijuana can have small positive effects for some as well.

Positive effects can be argued for the health benefits of ethanol, but those who try to use the "Weed is less dangerous than Alcohol!" ignore one key fact: people are fucking stupid and moderation is a rarity.

 

[Imp]

I knew a few kids in college who smoked weed every single day. They ended up being some of the smartest dudes I knew. I've also known people who did it every day and were some of the dumbest & most annoying I knew.

Ignoring whether you agree or not with what your President has done, he was a pot smoker and managed to get elected for a pretty big job...

 

[z1ggy]

Positive effects can be argued for the health benefits of ethanol, but those who try to use the "Weed is less dangerous than Alcohol!" ignore one key fact: people are fucking stupid and moderation is a rarity.

That's not universally true. Maybe where you're from it is but the majority of people are reasonable and don't go on drinking benders every time alcohol touches their lips. The reason there is some idea that all marijuana users are potheads are because the majority of mainstream users are teens/college kids.

I know plenty of adults that still use it in moderation, but would be looked down on if it became publicly known because of the fact it's currently not legal in most states.

This could seriously spiral into some ridicously debate that would be something better had in politics and news. All I'm saying that in small doses, marijuana is likely not harmful and can even improve the quality of life for some folks.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

This could seriously spiral into some ridicously debate that would be something better had in politics and news. All I'm saying that in small doses, marijuana is likely not harmful and can even improve the quality of life for some folks.

Not trying to turn this into an aggressive debate, just pointing out people are already dumb as rocks without any additional chemicals being added to their bloodstreams

 

[z1ggy]

Not trying to turn this into an aggressive debate, just pointing out people are already dumb as rocks without any additional chemicals being added to their bloodstreams

I understand. There are plenty of idiots for sure, but I believe you're blowing it out of proportion.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

The bible-thumper runs with open arms to cite a scientific study that reaffirms his preconceived notions. How convenient. Seriously, haven't we determined this guy is a troll by now?

 

[dawp]

The bible-thumper runs with open arms to cite a scientific study that reaffirms his preconceived notions. How convenient. Seriously, haven't we determined this guy is a troll by now?

no need to state the obvious.

 

[Markbnj]

Bumping this to post an interesting review of the cited study. I'm not a scientist and can't evaluate these complaints about the study and its methodology. Perhaps Dr. Pizza can comment.

http://io9.com/does-researching-cas...ds=10201723583234199&fb_action_types=og.likes

 

[DrDoug]

I've been smoking pot for over 40 years and I have to tell you that if you let your kids smoke weed then they might come up with crazy ideas like buying a car, stripping it down and rebuilding it themselves. I fell into this trap and the horrors I have gone through have been an absolute nightmare. For example, every time I open the hood on the car I am confronted by this drug-induced nightmare I created:

Heck, the wiring itself was another horror story:

There's also the possibility that they will use this drug-fueled knowledge for a career that earns them a respectable living. I also learned to play guitar and joined a local band in my youth, exposing me to even more drugs! Now I am stuck in a life of building and repairing computers/networks for home and small business. Unfortunately I have learned how these darn things actually work and even went to college to learn even more, earning a 3.71 GPA and making the Honor Roll, Dean's List and President's List.

Parents, please don't let your kids do pot!!