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Why Pot Smokers Are Paranoid
TIME ^ | 6 April, 2011 | Maia Szalavitz

Posted on 04/09/2011 3:34:13 PM PDT by AustralianConservative

Paranoia is one of the most unpleasant "side effects" of marijuana. It's also a key experience shared by marijuana smokers and people with schizophrenia. But exactly how does smoking a joint cause the feeling that dark forces are conspiring to do you wrong?

New research in rats may help explain the source of this distress. The study, led by Steven Laviolette at the University of Western Ontario in Canada, involved training rats to fear the scent of either almond or peppermint. The scents were delivered to rats in a cage either with black-and-white striped walls or with black polka dots on a gray background. (The rats were not pre-tested for their taste in interior design.) One scent was accompanied by an electric shock to the rodents' feet, while the other scent was not.

At the same time, researchers experimented with the activity of the CB1 receptors in a certain region of the rats' brains. These cannabinoid receptors are activated by the main psychoactive component of marijuana, THC. In some rats, the scientists blocked CB1-receptor activity; in others, they used a marijuana-like drug to enhance it.

(Excerpt) Read more at healthland.time.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: libertarian; libertarians; marijuana; medicalmarijuana; neuroscience; paranoia; pot; quitstaringatme; whosfollowingme
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To: AustralianConservative

Cannot be true, everyone knows rats are smarter than dope smokers. They get all they want and don’t need to drug up a female for sex.


41 posted on 04/09/2011 4:41:33 PM PDT by org.whodat
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To: AustralianConservative

Even pot-smokers have enemies.


42 posted on 04/09/2011 4:42:15 PM PDT by RichInOC (No! BAD Rich! (What'd I say?))
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To: Persevero

I have had women make me depressed and irrational,

Even paranoid.

Pot is pretty inane.


43 posted on 04/09/2011 4:43:26 PM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
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To: Persevero

I agree.


44 posted on 04/09/2011 4:44:02 PM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
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To: rlmorel

“I know mariijuana can be bad too, but I have come to the conclusion there is no way it is as bad as alcohol. “

I think alcoholism is worse than occasional pot use.

In order of badness:

1. Serious Alcoholism
2. Heavy, regular pot use
3. Occasional pot use
4. Occasional, don’t get drunk drinking.

Actually (4) is no harm and can actually be beneficial to your health.

Whenever I post on these type threads, pot advocates note all the damage done by alcohol. But it’s not done by moderate alcohol consumption. It’s done by alcohol ABUSE.

I’d never defend alcohol ABUSE. It’s obviously destructive on so many levels.

But I will defend alcohol USE.

And oppose the use of pot. No benefits, nothing but drawbacks, and you never just take one hit. You smoke to get high. As opposed to alcohol; most drinkers I know (and most are Christians) have a beer or two at most at a time. They don’t get high and it’s not in the least bit comparable to those who smoke a few bowls every weekend. They get stupefied and long term they are worthless, unless they quit.

I always like to note I am not defending my drug of choice. I don’t drink at all. I don’t care for it, never have.


45 posted on 04/09/2011 4:45:34 PM PDT by Persevero (Homeschooling for Excellence since 1992)
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To: Dr. Bogus Pachysandra

Not silly at all. How else do you think the researchers can get a legal supply of lab grade kickass smoke for free? You think maybe they only have enough for the rats???


46 posted on 04/09/2011 4:45:55 PM PDT by dusttoyou ("Progressives" are wee-weeing all over themselves, Foc nobama)
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To: mylife

“I have had women make me depressed and irrational,”

Well, as a general rule they are a blessing.

Can’t say that about pot. Pot’s effects are all negative.

A woman gave you birth. Your sister(s) played with you, cared for you, gave you joy. Your Grandma baked your Thanksgiving turkey, your aunts went to your school plays, your schoolteachers taught you to read, your neighbor took care of you when your mom was sick. . .

you know, I think women are probably a net positive to about the tenth power.


47 posted on 04/09/2011 4:52:52 PM PDT by Persevero (Homeschooling for Excellence since 1992)
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To: Persevero
I adore capitalism, But aggressive speed can really wreck you up.

Steve Gibbons Band~ Speed Kills

48 posted on 04/09/2011 4:56:06 PM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
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To: Persevero

Hmm aint found that soul partner yet

*cracks a beer*


49 posted on 04/09/2011 4:57:52 PM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
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To: dusttoyou
How else do you think the researchers can get a legal supply of lab grade kickass smoke for free? You think maybe they only have enough for the rats???

Killer 'contact buzz'? Makes more sense to me than anything else I've read about the study...

"Hello Officer! The smell? Why, yes, we're doing research into the effects of MJ on rats...All legal and above board..."

50 posted on 04/09/2011 5:02:55 PM PDT by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: mylife

Well, perhaps not, but you don’t need a soul partner to appreciate the worth of women and girls. To say that they bum you out just like pot does is kind of a put down. Remember your Grandma!

Of course I didn’t know your Grandma, but, Grandmas in general are pretty beneficial.


51 posted on 04/09/2011 5:03:58 PM PDT by Persevero (Homeschooling for Excellence since 1992)
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To: Persevero

I never said they bummed me out LoL

My Great Gramma rocked! So did Gramper

All I was saying is that lots of things can skew a persons perspective.

Hormones, Endorphins, emotions, what ever.

pot is pretty low on the list of nasty things


52 posted on 04/09/2011 5:09:16 PM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
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To: Persevero

I never said they bummed me out LoL

My Great Gramma rocked! So did Gramper

All I was saying is that lots of things can skew a persons perspective.

Hormones, Endorphins, emotions, what ever.

pot is pretty low on the list of nasty things


53 posted on 04/09/2011 5:09:30 PM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
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Daymn! I must be buzzed!

Double post


54 posted on 04/09/2011 5:11:00 PM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
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The problem with drugs and such is it is quick fix.

In the AM the problem is still there.
They can distort your perception of a problem and make you too complacent or to aggressive than you would normally be.

I often wonder about Zoloft, Proxac, and all the approved drugs


55 posted on 04/09/2011 5:19:56 PM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
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To: All
Steve Gibbons Band~ Natural Thing
56 posted on 04/09/2011 5:24:39 PM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
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To: AustralianConservative

57 posted on 04/09/2011 5:35:41 PM PDT by Bean Counter (Stout Hearts!!)
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To: AustralianConservative

The very least that this tells me is that you should not smoke pot if you are experiencing anxiety.


58 posted on 04/09/2011 5:38:27 PM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (Islam is the religion of Satan and Mohammed was his minion.)
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To: mylife

“pot is pretty low on the list of nasty things”

Lower than some things, higher than others.

Hormones, endorphins, emotions, etc. are often good and also inescapable.

Pot is not.


59 posted on 04/09/2011 5:39:49 PM PDT by Persevero (Homeschooling for Excellence since 1992)
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To: AustralianConservative
I don't know why it's the case, but I haven't smoked it since I had that bad side effect.

I still think it should be decriminalized because as bad as drugs are, the war on some drugs is worse.

60 posted on 04/09/2011 5:44:12 PM PDT by Darren McCarty (I am not lead by any politician. I am my own leader.)
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