Posted on 02/28/2005 8:56:41 PM PST by FairOpinion
The study asked people about their cannabis use Smoking cannabis virtually doubles the risk of developing mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, researchers say.
The New Zealand scientists said their study suggested this was probably due to chemical changes in the brain which resulted from smoking the drug.
The study, published in the journal Addiction, followed over 1,000 people born in 1977 for 25 years.
UK mental health campaigners said it was more evidence of a "drug-induced mental health crisis".
The researchers, from the University of Otago, interviewed people taking part in the Christchurch Health and Development Study about their cannabis use at the ages of 18, 21 and 25.
"This is the latest in long line of international research over the last 12 months that shows we are facing a drug-induced mental health crisis " ---- Paul Corry, Rethink,
They were also interviewed about various aspects of their mental health.
The scientists found psychotic symptoms were more common among cannabis users.
They analysed their findings to take into account of the possibility that their illness encouraged people to use more cannabis, rather than the drug contributing to their condition.
But the researchers said the link was not likely to be due to people with mental illness having a greater wish to smoke cannabis.
Instead, they said cannabis may increase the chances of a person suffering psychosis by causing chemical changes to the brain.
The researchers also took into account factors such as family history, current mental disorders, and illicit substance abuse.
'Growing evidence'
The scientists, led by Professor David Fergusson, said it was likely cannabis use increased the chances of a person suffering psychosis by causing chemical changes to the brain.
Writing in Addiction, he added: "Even when all factors were taken into account, there was a clear increase in rates of psychotic symptoms after the start of regular use.
"These findings add to the growing body of evidence from different sources, all of which suggest that heavy use of cannabis may lead to increased risk of psychotic symptoms and disease in susceptible individuals."
Paul Corry, of the mental health charity Rethink, said: "This is the latest in long line of international research over the last 12 months that shows we are facing a drug-induced mental health crisis.
"Rethink is renewing its call to the Health Select Committee to investigate the latest research into the link between cannabis use and severe mental illness.
"We need action from the Department of Health and we need it now if we are to avoid the risk of tens of thousands of young people developing a severe mental illness in the future."
The Department of Health has said it will review all academic and clinical studies linking cannabis use to mental health problems.
"Professor Fergusson says one of the problems with this area of research in the past has been that it is difficult to determine the extent to which cannabis influences psychotic symptoms or whether people with these symptoms tend to use cannabis. However the researchers were able, through statistical models, to adjust for the fact that psychosis encouraged cannabis use, and for other factors associated with cannabis."
http://www.addictionjournal.org
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=8055
Last week it delayed the onset of Alzheimers.
IOW, are they stupid from smoking dope or are they smoking dope because they are stupid?
The druggie warriors will be here shortly going into a psychosis on how reefer is harmless ...
One word: CRAP!
All it does is give you the munchies and make you lazy. To me, that is enough reason not to use it.
Why don't people just list the verifiable pros and cons and let each individual make up his/her own mind?
MORE:
MARIJUANA USE LINKED TO HALLUCINOGEN USE
Young Marijuana Smokers More Likely to Have the Opportunity to Use Hallucinogens
A study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health provides the first epidemiologic evidence that young marijuana smokers are substantially more likely than non-smokers to be presented with the opportunity to try hallucinogens. Once the opportunity for hallucinogen use occurs, marijuana smokers are more likely than non-smokers to try hallucinogens. The study appears in the April 2002 issue of the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
http://www.jhsph.edu/PublicHealthNews/Press_Releases/PR_2002/Marijuana%20hallucinogen.html
Wake up and smell the reefers, it is NOT good for you no matter how much you deny it.
The government is the one that has gone crazy locking up marijuana smokers, not the other way around.
---Young Marijuana Smokers More Likely to Have the Opportunity to Use Hallucinogens ---
See any good blotter acid lately? I don't think so.
Neither is booze!! Make it illegal!!
"Last week it delayed the onset of Alzheimers. "
Here is an article on that:
Marijuana may block Alzheimer's
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4286435.stm
"Scientists showed a synthetic version of the compound may reduce inflammation associated with Alzheimer's and thus help to prevent mental decline. "
===
But from that article, it seems that the main point is to reduce inflammation -- there are plenty of other non-hallucinogenic drugs that do that, starting with aspirin.
Show me the causal link!
All this study shows is a correlation. Maybe people with a propensity for schizo are more likely to partake of the evil weed.. eh?
Truly it is a multi-purpose wonder drug.
I suppose all these scientists should return to their labs for more "testing" and order out for pizza and wings.
I never said it was "good" for you. FWIW, I gave up weed 15+ years ago. I realized that it was detrimental to my dreams and goals. That was a personal decision.
However, I am convinced it is less harmful to one than is alcohol, which IS legal. I am also convinced that it is absolutely NONE of your business what I choose to put in my body. I have become convinced that the "War" on Drugs, despite some valid points and goals, has been more trouble and expense than it is worth.
My way of looking at it is if you are stupid enough to live your life in a chemical-induced (ANY chemical) fog, you deserve the consequences you pay.
Once they legalize it and tax the heck out of it you will be able to check into the free clinic to get the psychosis antidote.
Yup, When I look back at that "Ol'Gang of mine" way back when ( OK the Sixties ) there were a few of them who made Pot a way of life.
They worked only enough to support the Habit.Didn't give a rats about much of anything.
They "Tuned in,Turned off,and Dropped out."
Know What.?
They are still there.
Old gray Cool ain't near as Cool as it was back then.
I've seen people get pretty whacked out after a few hits on a joint. Worse than I have seen some people get after they have a few drinks.
I'd be rich if I had a dime for every time I've heard those brain dead clichés.
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