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Researchers find potential therapeutic to counteract mental health effects of cannabis (NAC)
Medical Xpress / University of Western Ontario / Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science ^ | July 29, 2024 | Cynthia Fazio / Marta De Felice et al

Posted on 08/01/2024 8:12:59 PM PDT by ConservativeMind

Researchers have found an over-the-counter natural health product may help counteract negative effects of heavy cannabis use among adolescents aged 12 to 17, including depression, anxiety and diminished motivation in adulthood.

Marta De Felice and Steven Laviolette demonstrated in animal models that interventions using antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can mitigate the detrimental mental health effects of chronic cannabis use later in life.

Sometimes referred to as "amotivational syndrome," chronic cannabis use in adolescents can result in a lack of motivation, diminished enjoyment from daily activities and other depressive effects. Currently, there is no known intervention strategy available.

The study found that NAC—an amino acid also known for its antioxidant properties and support for respiratory and liver health—effectively counteracts oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance of unstable atoms that can damage cells and antioxidants which can lead a variety of diseases. NAC also reduces high levels of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter which sends chemical signals from neurons to cells.

Researchers tested the effectiveness of NAC in animal models. According to De Felice, the results showed NAC acts as a protective agent by neutralizing oxidative stress and regulating levels of glutamate to preserve the normal function of the part of the brain known as nucleus accumbens.

"The nucleus accumbens is a region of the brain that regulates mood disorders and addiction and is responsible for motivated behaviors," said De Felice.

By normalizing the function and activity of this brain region, the researchers believe it potentially prevented the development of the depressive and anxiety phenotype—genes which are responsible for these traits.

"One of the exciting things is that we've identified one of the important mechanisms behind that phenomenon by pinpointing an increase in oxidative stress and glutamate toxicity in the brain," said Laviolette, professor in the department of anatomy and cell biology.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: amotivation; anxiety; apathy; cannabis; depression; diminishedmotivation; ganja; lackofmotivation; nac; pot; r; weed
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NAC appears to help address common mental issues that come with smoking pot.
1 posted on 08/01/2024 8:12:59 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
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To: Mazey; ckilmer; goodnesswins; Jane Long; BusterDog; jy8z; ProtectOurFreedom; matthew fuller; ...

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

2 posted on 08/01/2024 8:13:43 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind

Um, how about DONT BE A STUPID POTHEAD to begin with? Understanding that some would benefit from this information but wouldn’t need to if they JUST SAID NO (thank you Nancy)


3 posted on 08/01/2024 8:17:26 PM PDT by Spacetrucker ("You Missed,BI*CH" Tom MacDonald )
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To: ConservativeMind

Not involving cannabis but NAC has turned my life around. The mistake I made with it for years was taking too low a dose. Now with a suitable dose I can finally live again. Better results than any Rx.


4 posted on 08/01/2024 8:18:05 PM PDT by steve86 (Numquam accusatus, numquam ad curiam ibit, numquam ad carcerem™)
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To: Spacetrucker

I agree, but we do have a few FReepers who smoke pot, for conditions, I believe.


5 posted on 08/01/2024 8:18:33 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: steve86
May I ask how much you now take and what condition it has helped?

GlyNAC doses are 600 mg, twice a day, of glycine and NAC, each, for 1,200 mg of both.

GlyNAC greatly helps older people make glutathione again, sort of making people a bit younger.

6 posted on 08/01/2024 8:21:06 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind

“... for conditions,”

Yeah, it’s a potent therapeutic for the condition of being not high.


7 posted on 08/01/2024 8:22:37 PM PDT by irishjuggler
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To: ConservativeMind

We have talked in the past about GlyNAC. I can’t take any form of supplemental glycine due to severe ensuing heartburn / esophageal spasm. Also had to discontinue taurine for same reason (something about the amino acids).

NAC - 1,800 mg, split dose morning, noon, evening


8 posted on 08/01/2024 8:26:06 PM PDT by steve86 (Numquam accusatus, numquam ad curiam ibit, numquam ad carcerem™)
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To: ConservativeMind

Based on the active ingredient in Doritos.


9 posted on 08/01/2024 8:30:51 PM PDT by bigbob
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To: steve86

Did you try the ultra pure Ajipure glycine? That is more expensive, but many have no problem with it, versus normal glycine powders:

https://www.swansonvitamins.com/p/swanson-ultra-ajipure-glycine-powder-pharmaceutical-grade-8-oz-227-grams-pwdr


10 posted on 08/01/2024 8:31:56 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind

What conditions? And does it improve those “conditions?”


11 posted on 08/01/2024 8:35:51 PM PDT by Fungi
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To: ConservativeMind

Thanks for the suggestion; I’ll look into it

Coincidentally, just this morning, with the help of AI, I found a treatment for the spasm. I am desperate for something that can be administer acutely because the attack is 12 hours of living hell. It is nitroglycerin, administered sublingually, same as for heart pain (smooth muscle). Lord, I wish I would have known about that earlier.


12 posted on 08/01/2024 8:37:32 PM PDT by steve86 (Numquam accusatus, numquam ad curiam ibit, numquam ad carcerem™)
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To: steve86

Amazingly, Ajipure makes a taurine form, too:

https://www.swansonvitamins.com/p/swanson-ultra-ajipure-taurine-pharmaceutical-grade-500-mg-60-caps


13 posted on 08/01/2024 8:38:42 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind

“””””we do have a few FReepers who smoke pot, for conditions, I believe.”””””

They should just drop in to see what condition their condition was in.


14 posted on 08/01/2024 9:08:31 PM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: steve86

I’d have to go check the dosage I take of NAC, I think it’s just 600 mg, but I have to take it in the morning before 11 am, or else I have even more wild dreams than I have regularly without it. I’m not sure I what it is, but for me, it takes my vivid dreams from a 9 or 10/10 to a 14+ if I take it in the late morning. The closer I take it to bedtime, the crazier my dreams get. There’s zero way I could handle it if I took it 3x a day. I admire you though. I just wish it didn’t affect me this way.


15 posted on 08/01/2024 9:14:44 PM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: Fungi

I have seen people cured or very close to it from Prostatitis, Seizures, Nerve Inflamation, Chemo Side Effects and PTSD. Some of the greatest pain a man can experience turned around completely with the help of cannabis.

It doesnt need to be smoked and one can grow the medicine for free to be made very cheaply at home into tinctures, pills or vaporizers. It is truly the easiest medicine to make on your own and there are an infinite variety of strains that can be tailored for specific people/conditions.

For many people it is cheaper, less toxic, less impairing and less addictive than all the possible alternatives offered by big pharma. An absolute win and game changer for them.


16 posted on 08/01/2024 9:28:38 PM PDT by varyouga
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To: ansel12

“””””we do have a few FReepers who smoke pot, for conditions, I believe.”””””

“They should just drop in to see what condition their condition was in.”

https://youtu.be/h77jpjFYOSM?si=t9Q4j6l5liIaocnc

Oh yeah...


17 posted on 08/01/2024 9:41:04 PM PDT by Dogbert41 (“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” -Matthew 5:9)
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To: FamiliarFace

That’s too bad about the dreams. I’m fortunate to get no adverse effects whatsoever.

It’s possible your brain’s level of glutamate is already high enough and NAC is raising it to a dysfunctional level.


18 posted on 08/01/2024 9:56:30 PM PDT by steve86 (Numquam accusatus, numquam ad curiam ibit, numquam ad carcerem™)
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To: ConservativeMind

“ among adolescents aged 12 to 17”

They probably have the cause and effect backward


19 posted on 08/02/2024 12:16:49 AM PDT by NWFree (Somebody has to say it 🤪)
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To: Spacetrucker
Did you drink or do anything stupid when you were young (or now)? Did you not do anything stupid...ever?

Young people are not as smart and wise as you.

Most people are sinful by nature (excluding those who are perfect). They self-medicate because adolescence is a painful and disorienting experience for some. And then there's exploration and the herd instinct (i.e., peer pressure).

20 posted on 08/02/2024 12:37:50 AM PDT by RoosterRedux (Take Trump off ballots. Fail. Take his money. Fail. Put Him in jail. Fail. Assassinate him. Fail.)
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