Posted on 07/10/2002 2:36:43 AM PDT by kattracks
CNSNews.com) - Marijuana use can stimulate the symptoms of schizophrenia, according to researchers at Okayama University in Japan. Their study found similarities between the brain dysfunctions in schizophrenic patients and the disruptions in brain activity caused by marijuana use.
The Okayama University study traced schizophrenic delusions to the cannabinoid receptor protein, a chemical located inside human brain cells. The researchers examined the gene responsible for the receptor protein in patients with schizophrenia, and then compared it to the same gene in healthy patients. The comparison revealed distinct abnormalities in the gene of the schizophrenic patients.
The functioning abnormalities in the receptor protein are similar to the disruptions in the protein's functioning caused by marijuana use, the researchers said. THC, the main chemical in marijuana, produces the hallucinatory effects of marijuana by latching onto the cannabinoid receptor protein and over-stimulating it. For those already genetically prone to schizophrenia, this added stimulation might be all that is required to trigger psychotic episodes.
"This result provides genetic evidence that marijuana use can result in schizophrenia or a significantly increased risk of schizophrenia," lead researcher Hiroshi Ujike stated.
The Okayama report confirms the results of a 1987 study conducted in Sweden in which higher incidents of schizophrenia were discovered among army conscripts who had used marijuana.
The Swedish study showed that the incidence of schizophrenia among conscripts who were "heavy" and "chronic" users of marijuana was six times higher than it was among those who had not smoked.
Marijuana, however, has only been linked to schizophrenia in those who are already genetically prone to the disease. There is little evidence to suggest that it poses any such risk to those not genetically predisposed to schizophrenia.
"They (non-schizophrenics who smoke marijuana) might have altered perception while they're smoking," said Dr. William Carpenter, Director of the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, "but in terms of developing the disease, it may be a very small risk factor. For most people it won't happen."
Many people susceptible to schizophrenia, however, do not show any symptoms of the illness. The symptoms would only appear if triggered by an external stimulus like marijuana, according to Robert Pertwee, a pharmacology professor at Aberdeen University in Scotland.
"There are people who appear perfectly normal and have no idea they are prone to the condition," Pertwee said.
There has been much debate in recent years about the potential medicinal use of marijuana. While some experts claim the drug is effective in treating chronic pain, and in alleviating the symptoms of cancer, glaucoma, bipolar disorders and HIV, others have expressed concerns about its safety.
A report released by the National Institutes of Health stated that: "Marijuana increases schizophrenia by a factor of four to six, disorients the user, causes psychotic reaction, panic, anxiety, hallucinations, reproductive cellular disruption and cancer."
Proponents of medicinal use of marijuana counter that the proven risks associated with marijuana are no more significant than those of other, legal prescription drugs.
"The Institute of Medicine found that the negative effects associated with marijuana are not worse than medications that are available by prescription," said Robert Kampia, Director of Government Relations for Marijuana Policy Project, a movement for the legalization of medically prescribed marijuana.
Kampia acknowledged the risks of marijuana use, and stated that physicians should use much discretion when opting to prescribe the drug.
"Marijuana isn't the best medicine for all patients, it's just the best medicine for some patients, and so it should be between the doctor and the patient to determine whether marijuana is the right treatment," Kampia said.
Carpenter and Ujike both said more research was needed regarding the link between marijuana and schizophrenia.
E-mail a news tip to Rick Docksai.
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You said it!
If only the potheads would realize that.
But, then again, how can they?
You're being WAY too kind.
Merry go round?
Don't look now, but your pot-induced schizophrenia is flaring again.
The same can be said for those who favor legalizing drugs.
Society pays for it in the form of higher insurance premiums for the ODs and funeral expenses, to name a few, not to mention the lasting price of grief and wonderment as to how a life could be wasted on any type of illegal drug.
Limited brain cells, limited creativity in posting.
This one sure does ;-)
In your face potheads! What do you say about your "harmless drug" now!?!
Do you believe everything you read? Or just when it supports your agenda. Did you believe Clinton when he said "I didn't inhale"? Did you believe President Clinton when he said " I didn't have sex with that woman, Miss Lewinski"?
You're showing characteristics of schizophrenia.
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