Marijuana might cause new cell growth in the brain

[Hardrock69]

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8155&feedId=online-news_rss20

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%.
Just like Prozac?

A previous study showed that the antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac) also increases new cell growth, and the results indicated that it was this cell growth that caused Prozac$B!G(Bs anti-anxiety effect. Zhang wondered whether this was also the case for the cannabinoid, and so he tested the rats for behavioural changes.

When the rats who had received the cannabinoid were placed under stress, they showed fewer signs of anxiety and depression than rats who had not had the treatment. When neurogenesis was halted in these rats using X-rays, this effect disappeared, indicating that the new cell growth might be responsible for the behavioural changes.

In another study, Barry Jacobs, a neuroscientist at Princeton University, gave mice the natural cannabinoid found in marijuana, THC (D9-tetrahydrocannabinol)). But he says he detected no neurogenesis, no matter what dose he gave or the length of time he gave it for. He will present his results at the Society for Neuroscience meeting in Washington DC in November.

Jacobs says it could be that HU210 and THC do not have the same effect on cell growth. It could also be the case that cannabinoids behave differently in different rodent species - which leaves open the question of how they behave in humans.

Zhang says more research is needed before it is clear whether cannabinoids could some day be used to treat depression in humans.

Journal reference: Journal of Clinical Investigation (DOI:10.1172/JCI25509)

[thome]

What are we going to do today Brain ?

Same thing we did yesterday Pinkie get stoned and try.... and ....What? Did i just drive thru that red light?

Sorry 69 jus a lil fun.

The stuff allways made me wanna nap.

I do think its good for the nerves and should be legally prescribed.
by a doctor.There may be something to this article.

[bastardog]

If Coffe, beers and cigars that are more dangerous and also as addictive (if not more like Coffe)
why marijuana aren't legal as any cigarret??

[fret_buzz_blues]

Because the government doesn't want to make it legal! They say that the dangers outweigh the benefits.

http://www.upi.com/HealthBusiness/view.php?StoryID=20051017-053500-7215r

[Dirty Duck]

Shit....then i must be a genius after all the years of partying! : )

[Hardrock69]

There has not been a single death directly attributed to marijuana smoking in the entire history of man.

[The Scatologist]

I have never met anyone, who became smarter by starting to smoke weed.

I've met a lot of idiots and lazy bastards though!

[jhale667]

What were we talking about? I kid!!

[thome]

The meat

Originally posted by Hardrock69
There has not been a single death directly attributed to marijuana smoking in the entire history of man.

The Meat of that statement is so concrete!!! You are,The man on
the Silver Mountain.

But wrong.Pot will not cause you to OD like too much Heroin
but " I know "people have died directly in relation to being so
stupidly stoned and un-attentive they accidentally Suicided
themselves to death.:eek:

As for Being Legal I agree just by script from a Doctor.
If it could be bought like cigs, could you Imagine some
Monday morning everyone everywhere was Stoned all at the
same time, in Rush Hour traffic.Mass accidental suicide for the
Masses.-Marijuannamagedon-.

[Eyes of the Night]

Love theses chronic related threads ... casts shadows to all the haterz of the board ...

smokem' if ya gottem ...

[m_dixon1984]

Originally posted by The Scatologist
I have never met anyone, who became smarter by starting to smoke weed.

I've met a lot of idiots and lazy bastards though!

Are you sure they weren't stupid, lazy and idiots before they started smokin'? Since when is any government in the business of protecting their citizens from becoming stupid, idiotic and lazy (wouldn't they have to ban most TV and boy bands as well)? No political party or candidate has ever run under this platform in my country. Not to mention I take exception to the stereotype of pot smokers all being stupid, lazy idiots. I'm a daily smoker who makes great money in the IT industry, works 10 hour days, plays numerous team sports during all seasons, and who has a very active social life. Pot just happens to be my vice of choice (tried drinking but it didn't agree my overall good nature and you just can't be laid back on coke). Not to mention the fact that pot can be used in many other ways apart from smoking. Agreed, smoking pot may have a health impact (although no studies have ever been done on this) simply because of the base constituents released by burning it. What no government has ever considered is that eating and drinking pot can provide the same medicinal and non-medicinal effects and very likely with less impact than foods we already eat (granted there could be a negative impact but, again, there have never been any studies made). I could go on but I've got to get back to work.
I know you were kinda joking around but I had to throw in my 2 cents since it's a topic close to my heart. I actually grow medicinal pot for AIDS patients in Canada - they get a license/permit to grow but due to the health problems experienced in the latter stages of the disease they can't grow for themselves - an infectious disease doctor I know passes the permits on to people like me who want to help. I grow legally under a single permit, while some friends I know are growing for 5-10 permit holders (100's of plants - it's a beautiful sight to behold). There are some benefits to doing this, obviously, but I still see 90% of my yield going to the permit holder (sometimes more, depends on the overall yield).
M

[thome]

Good post Dixon. Ya see, I was Born Dumb pot makes me Stupid .

So you intellectuals need a lil Dumbing down, you twist and burn one.

I blissfully live in the world you seek!

Its the Reality of Pots Medicinal Value.....

Pot physically sedates the muscles also...

[jhale667]

Another great comedic quote "What's the WORST thing that's gonna happen if you OD on pot? You're gonna eat a box of twinkies and take a nap!"

[Dirty Duck]

I've been smoking for about 12 years......and....I forgot what I was going to say.

[jhale667]

Originally posted by Dirty Duck
I've been smoking for about 12 years......and....I forgot what I was going to say.

I've been smoking on and off since I WAS 12..and .....what were we talking about again?