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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In this case, unfortunately, the agenda and cherry-picking are the property of Merck. The original news story on this "study" was done by a writer who admitted to me that he got some of his data from Merck. He also relied on information in a Merck press release about a licensing agreement on a new class of schizophrenia drugs they are working on that impact cannabinoid receptors. This study is just another piece of pre-marketing propaganda to help Merck make their case for this new class drugs to treat schizophrenia.
What you say may very well be true. Without the original data and research methodolgy it's impossible to say. Selective presentation and interpretaion of data seems to be SOP for pharmaceutical companies. Our current system lets them get cozy with the politicians (for the right amount of money) who can exert influence over the bureaucrats that oversee the approval process, and let them get away with it. Still, cherry picking data out of cherry picked data is still cherry picking.
Junk is junk.
Destructor: In your face potheads! What do you say about your "harmless drug" now!?! 35
Zon: 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"? 53
You're showing characteristics of schizophrenia.*
* schizophrenia: Any of several psychotic disorders characterized by distortions of reality and disturbances of thought and language and withdrawal from social contact 32 -- 63
Destructor: No. Yes. No. No. Screw you! 56
Zon: So your only "yes" answer was that you do believe everything you read when it supports your agenda. That being the case, are you a politician? 57
Destructor: No, I'm not a politician, but truth is on my side! 59
Zon: If truth was on your side you wouldn't find need to lash out in "assault" at as you did in your 56 post. 63
Zon: So, how do you explain your post #53? 67
There's nothing to explain. It's clear.
FYI: Most people do believe anything they read, if it fits into their "agenda." 67
And you know the difference of subjectively fitting something into your agenda and the converse, objectively letting something fall into place, yet you chose to ignore it. Well now, isn't that special -- NOT! It's irrational. If most people jumped in the fire, would you do the jump too?
You potheads are a real good example of that fact.
I don't do drugs, not even caffeine or alcohol. You assume too much. Why?
You potheads are a real good example of that fact. No matter how crazy, outrageous, or illogical a story may be, if it's pro-pot then you're all over it! The difference in us is that I'm honest about my own bias, and you're not. I wonder why? 67
Why do you erroneously assume that I smoke pot? So you could create the above straw man for the sake of kicking the stuffing out of it.
Since we've taken this from a discussion about the issue of drugs to Psycho-analysis I have formed an opinion of you as well. You exhibit all of the signs of a latent homosexual! 67
You really are a hoot! Again, you're showing characteristics of schizophrenia.*
*schizophrenia: Any of several psychotic disorders characterized by distortions of reality and disturbances of thought and language and withdrawal from social contact
Destructor: No, I'm not a politician, but truth is on my side!59
tacticalogic: Truth doesn't take sides, no matter how desperately dogma tries to conscript it.66
Destructor: That is true. However, Justice and the American way are certainly on my side!
ROTFL!!!
Either you're a little kid that got his hands on the dad's computer or you should take your act on the road. That is a hilarious Superman satire.
Our current system lets them get cozy with the politicians (for the right amount of money) who can exert influence over the bureaucrats that oversee the approval process, and let them get away with it.
Stated differently: When the FDA controls the strings they obtained by monopoly-on-force-extortion via income tax they have omitted any competing business from testing the validity of a drug companies claims. In effect the FDA is a self-proclaimed authority designated as such by it's ring-leader congress that empowers both the FDA and IRS.
Also, there's health benefiting and life-saving drugs and food substitutes hindered or kept of the market by the FDA. The net account of benefits versus negative side effects shows they should be available.
Are you making fun of my posts again?
Americans (human beings in general) use drugs all the time. We like it. Drugs are fun and they make you feel good. Deal with it!
Drugs I've used (or am planning to use) today:
Caffeine
Aspirin
Chocolate
Nicotine
Cannabis
Alcohol
I darn near busted a gut.
Now you are making me laugh. Not at you, with you.
Thanks, I needed that. Still smilin'. I gotta go, Thanks again.
Somebody has "'th munchies!"
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