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Breaking News: Marijuana might cause new cell growth in the brain
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| Durafei |
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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’s 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.
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I believe this study, and URGE everyone to start smoking Marijuana on a regular basis(5,6 times a day). Once this theory is proven, I'm sure Marijuana will not only become legal, but it's use will be encouraged, if not required ! |
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| magikb |
hahaha Ilyia.. good article :p
Although, I don't have symptoms of anxiety or anything when I smoke weed.. I think it could be that smoking weed just gets me so incredibly retarded that I stay as far away as possible from it... :happy2: |
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| Durafei |
| quote: | Originally posted by magikb
Although, I don't have symptoms of anxiety or anything when I smoke weed.. I think it could be that smoking weed just gets me so incredibly retarded that I stay as far away as possible from it... :happy2: |
Nah.. People are actually much smarter when they are stoned. We are just not ready for the radical ideas we might say while being stoned, and we think of them as stupid, while in fact they are ingenious ! lol |
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| Cosmic Fur |
I'm soooo ing stoned right now.
:p |
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| nusty |
| quote: | | What is more, in rats this cell growth appears to be linked with reducing anxiety, depression and ambition but increased the likelyhood of getting the 'dumbs'. |
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pot... that will go straight to you head! |
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| Fir3start3r |
| quote: | Originally posted by Durafei
Nah.. People are actually much smarter when they are stoned. We are just not ready for the radical ideas we might say while being stoned, and we think of them as stupid, while in fact they are ingenious ! lol |
Who do you think created the computer for instance...
Answer: Stoned-Hippie-Flower-Children...
True story! |
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| Tiesto4Life |
| Personally I think marijuana is good for you! It makes you think more and creates more ideas running through your head. Of the essays that I wrote while I was high, somehow I always got a better mark as oppose to when i wasn't. I think it's because when i'm sober i'm lazy and tend to just rush the essay so i can get it done with but when i'm high i'm actually interested in exploring the topic and analyzing the ideas, thus making the essay better. |
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| l]evil |
its good for you, you just gotta respect it.
dont abuse it
...sadly i love to abuse it:D |
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| Jayx1 |
ban tobacco but legalize pot.
i will never understand how people can justify that hypocrisy.
you would think that pot smokers would be more sympathetic to the plight of the tobacco smoker since they know what its like to have their rights trampled upon. |
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| Carney |
| i knew i was on too something smoking the way i did:cool: :cool: |
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| MarkT |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
ban tobacco but legalize pot.
i will never understand how people can justify that hypocrisy.
you would think that pot smokers would be more sympathetic to the plight of the tobacco smoker since they know what its like to have their rights trampled upon. |
haha...let's rehash this AGAIN ;)
how many deaths from smoking pot or, more relevant, inhaling second hand pot smoke have been documented?
I'm going to go roll a j...in the PRIVACY OF MY OWN HOME where no one else will be disturbed :p |
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| Pettiscool |
| quote: | Originally posted by Carney
i knew i was on too something smoking the way i did:cool: :cool: |
did? |
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