Studies: Marijuana use impacts motivation and more

[healthy11]

By Denise Chow, Staff Writer
Published: 07/02/2013 06:47 AM EDT on LiveScience

The stereotype of pot smokers as lackadaisical loafers is supported by new research: People who smoke marijuana regularly over long periods of time tend to produce less of a chemical in the brain that is linked to motivation, a new study finds.

Researchers in the United Kingdom scanned the brains of 19 regular marijuana users, and 19 nonusers of the same sex and age, using positron emission tomography (PET), which helps measure the distribution of chemicals throughout the brain.

They found that the long-term cannabis users tended to produce less dopamine, a "feel good" chemical in the brain that plays an important role in motivation and reward-driven behavior. [Trippy Tales: The History of 8 Hallucinogens]

Study participants who smoked marijuana regularly, and those who began using the drug at a younger age, had lower levels of dopamine in a part of the brain called the striatum, which could be why cannabis users appear to lack motivation.

However, "whether such a syndrome exists is controversial," said study lead author Michael Bloomfield, a researcher at the Institute of Clinical Sciences at Imperial College London.

The people in the study used cannabis quite heavily, they all began using the drug between ages 12 and 18, and they all had experienced symptoms of psychosis while under the influence, the researchers said. Some of these symptoms include experiencing strange sensations while on the drug, or having bizarre thoughts, such as thinking they were being threatened by an unknown force.

Because increased dopamine production has been linked with psychosis, the researchers expected to find higher levels of dopamine in the cannabis users, but instead, their findings suggested the opposite.

Previous studies looking at marijuana's effects on the brain have shown that chronic marijuana use may trigger inflammation in the brain, which could affect coordination and learning, and that cannabis users have a higher risk of schizophrenia.

But the new results suggest more research is needed to understand the potential links between chronic marijuana use and mental illnesses.

"It has been assumed that cannabis increases the risk of schizophrenia by inducing the same effects on the dopamine system that we see in schizophrenia, but this hasn't been studied in active cannabis users until now," Bloomfield said in a statement. The results tie in with previous addiction research showing that substance abusers have altered dopamine systems.

The findings could explain behaviors commonly seen in marijuana users, not only those who may suffer psychosis symptoms or dependence, although further study is needed to better understand the link, the researchers said.

They also said the brain changes are likely reversible — previous studies did not find differences in dopamine production between former marijuana users and people who were never regular users of marijuana.

The detailed results of the study were published online June 29 in the journal Biological Psychiatry.

In another study, kief is found to be even stronger than regular marijuana:
www.yahoo.com/news/kief-why-stronger-regular-marijuana-152100693.html

[healthy11]

Here's more information on Marijuana use from George Mason University: www.gmu.edu/resources/facstaff/facultyfacts/1-2/grass.html

A recently released long-term study of men in Sweden shows that heavy pot use in teen years may predict later-life disability. It’s unclear whether the pot use in adolescence may have led to more severe substance abuse or was an early sign of psychiatric or social factors that contributed to later disability, the researchers caution. news.yahoo.com/heavy-pot-teen-years-may-predict-later-life-183940372.html

[healthy11]

In a recent study, scientists used a combination of MRI-based brain scans to get one of the first comprehensive, three-dimensional pictures of the brains of adults who regularly smoked weed, and the results were somewhat surprising:
finance.yahoo.com/news/scientists-found-something-strange-looked-191300616.html

[healthy11]

Here are results of a 20-yr. study: www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/01/11/a-20-year-study-on-marijuana-use-yields-5-surprisi.aspx

[healthy11]

This article highlights studies that show surprising results of marijuana use on athletic sports and exercise performance: sports.yahoo.com/news/marijuanas-surprising-effects-athletic-performance-183230768.html

[healthy11]

On a different note, here's an article that points to positive effects marijuana may have in treating certain conditions (brain cancer, Alzheimer's, epilepsy, Type 2 Diabetes, and schizophrenia): www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/02/08/5-diseases-you-never-knew-marijuana-could-fight-or.aspx

[eoffg]

In an Encephalitis survivors group that I'm involved with.
I know of numerous children with severe Epilepsy, who have had the number of daily seizures significantly reduced when using this.
Where it is the cannabanoid CBD that is the effective compound.
Rather than the THC.
But it is critical that CBD be made available in a tablet form, with a precise dosage.
As people are often forced to buy it in raw form, as a bag of marijuana.
Which has great variations in its concentrations, and contains all of the compounds.

Though the greater issue is the reduction of daily seizures in children using CBD, with no identified side effects.

[healthy11]

This British study reveals the risk of psychoses is 5 times higher for regular cannabis users than those who have never tried pot: news.yahoo.com/psychosis-five-times-more-likely-cannabis-users-study-005717669.html

[healthy11]

news.yahoo.com/does-marijuana-affect-brain-behavior-190502531.html

The article starts off, "Stoners have a reputation for being exceptionally mellow, but a recent study of the effects of marijuana use on daily behavior may suggest otherwise. According to researchers from Yale University of Medicine and the Pennsylvania State University, the study found a positive short-term correlation between marijuana use and hostile and impulsive behavior.

"Marijuana use is associated with changes in impulse control and hostility in daily life," according to the study, published in March. Researchers found that participants were more aggressive on days they used marijuana, and the following day, than on days they didn't get high..."

It goes on to mention "A 2012 study in Biological Psychiatry found that weed can cause anxiety for regular users during periods of withdrawal and puts those with genetic tendencies at risk for developing schizophrenia..." and it talks about another study showing the negative impact pot use can have on college student grades...

[healthy11]

www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/02/27/these-2-marijuana-studies-raise-potentially-alarmi.aspx?source=yahoo-2&utm_campaign=article&utm_medium=feed&utm_source=yahoo-2

Research from Columbia University suggests a link may exist between marijuana and a variety of substance abuse disorders...
marijuana use appears to correlate to a higher risk of developing an AUD (alcohol use disorder) and increase the likelihood that an existing AUD will continue over time.

A second study by Columbia University study showed a higher propensity for AUDs, cannabis abuse disorder, nicotine dependence, and any other drug abuse disorder compared to the non-using cohort. It should be noted that researchers observed no correlation relating to mood disorders or anxiety disorders between marijuana users and the non-marijuana cohort...

Here's a different study: news.yahoo.com/marijuana-depression-pot-cure-depression-141500229.html which states "Though regular marijuana users tend to be diagnosed with depression more frequently than those who don't use cannabis, marijuana does not cause depression," according to Dr. Daniel K. Hall-Flavin for Mayo Clinic.

[healthy11]

I had not heard of "Marijuana Use Disorder" before, but a new study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism claims that over 2% of adults may suffer from it:

www.cnsnews.com/news/article/barbara-hollingsworth/nih-nearly-6-million-americans-suffer-marijuana-use-disorder

[healthy11]

medicalxpress.com/news/2016-06-long-term-marijuana-brain-reward-circuit.html says that "This study shows that marijuana disrupts the natural reward circuitry of the brain, making marijuana highly salient to those who use it heavily. In essence, these brain alterations could be a marker of transition from recreational marijuana use to problematic use,"

[healthy11]

The following study presents a different view, claiming long term marijuana use doesn't seem to have a big health impact, other than on teeth: www.yahoo.com/news/long-term-pot-smoking-doesn-153736085.html

[healthy11]

www.foxnews.com/health/2016/07/08/marijuana-changes-brains-response-to-money-study-says.html

"...researchers found that the brains of people who smoked marijuana did not respond to the idea of winning the money as strongly as did the brains of people who did not use the drug. The results suggest that for people who smoke pot, "there is not as much pleasure that is being received from something that would naturally give somebody pleasure," study author Mary Heitzeg, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical School..."

[healthy11]

Although more people are in favor of the legalization of marijuana, many parents disagree and tell their stories at : momsstrong.org/

"Moms Strong is a support group partnering to inform and educate those harmed by marijuana. We are not funded by industry or the government, rather by parents as we hope to spread awareness and prevent tragedies like we’ve experienced.

We are a group of Moms (and Dads) who have seen marijuana severely damage our teenage and young adult children. While pot advocates promote stories of how marijuana is a safe, natural and fun activity, we have instead witnessed our children develop devastating mental health issues after using it. We have observed the side effects of anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia, depression and psychosis, and have even seen a final result of suicide. We have watched how these changes have occurred in some as a sudden psychotic break and in others gradually over a long period of addiction."

[bros]

I've been using marijuana for over a year now, no negative effects.

[healthy11]

Is it to help with chemo, or your epilepsy, or some other symptoms? Did your Dr. recommend it after conventional medications weren't effective?

[bros]

CHemo, the official reason is epilepsy, but it is for the nausea. I asked my neurologist about it and he was fine with prescribing it. There aren't as many meds for nausea because a lot of them don't play well with epilepsy

[healthy11]

I can appreciate the situation, and am glad that something has been able to give you relief. Has it also helped with your epilepsy? I've read several stories of families with children who have epilepsy moving to CO just to get access to marijuana. cannasos.com/news/authors/moving-to-legal-colorado-to-treat-epilepsy-anything-to-cure-a-kid

[eoffg]

Healthy, here in Australia our Federal Govt recently passed laws that allow it usage for medical purposes.
Then States have been passing similar legislation.
Though Pharma companies have been given control over its distribution.
Which I was initially concerned with.
But I have been helping numerous people in the US to start using it. Mainly to treat seizures in adults and children.
My particular interest, is with CBD Cannabinidiol. Which is the active element, that helps with seizures.
Where CBD can be bought as an Oil, with less than 0.01 percent of THC.
So that adults and children don't get any 'high' from it.

Their are actually Receptors on our Neurons and Nerve Cells for CBD.
Where the basic issue with Seizures, is that our Nerve Pathways operate as a 'Loop'.
So that a Signal is sent down a Pathway, then a Signal is sent back.
That basically sends a signal back: 'Message recieved and acted on. Stop sending the signal'.

But with Seizures, the Return isn't recieved. So that the Signal is then repeatedly sent.
Which is what presents as a Seizure, or Tic.
What CBD does, is to enable the CBD Receptor. To recieve the 'return Signal', and stop the Signal from being sent again.
Which prevents the Seizure.

Though a crucial factor with this? Is that our CBD Receptors, just as other Receptors on our Nerve Cells?
Only need a certain amount CBD. If too much is supplied, then it causes a Toxic response. Which can have a negative reverse effect.
This also occurs with Serotonin and its Receptors.
Which can cause 'Serotonin Syndrome', which can be fatal.

The current problem with CBD? Is that the 'effective dosage' has yet to be defined?
In the US, people can order 100 mg bottles of CBD.
Where people are left to decide what size dosage to use?

Maybe you could consider the situation, where your Drug Store provides you with a 100 mg bottle of a drug, in liquid form.
Then leaves you to work out how much to take?
But another thing that isn't explained, is 'how to use it'?
As this will effect how much is absorbed into the bloodstream, and how quickly?
Which is something that I've been exploring with people.
Where most often, people take it orally and swallow it.
Which is a slow way to get it into the bloodstream, and also the amount absorbed will vary?

Where the most effective way, is to apply it to the 'Gums'. As the skin cells in the Gums, are rather unique. As they don't have the 'barriers' that other skin cells have. That delay chemicals on our skin surface, from getting through to our bloodstream.
Yet this can be used, for a slow continuous absorption. Which varies in different skin areas?
Where using it as 'Patches', would be best for many people.
Though where to put the Patches, is a major question?
While simply putting a Patch on one's arm, would be a preferred option?
The best place, is actually our 'Armpit', as the Sweat Glands there. Provide easy access to our bloodstream.
Though this would be more suitable for directly applying it.
CBD also has an unpleasant taste. So the armpit would avoid this problem.
But this would only be suitable for 'Quick Release'.

Though as I write this, I am just thinking of looking into the structure of the skin cells, over our 'inner wrist'?
Where the skin is so thin, that the veins can easily be seen.
This could be a good location for a Patch?
But I'll have to look into this?

But one major concern that I have? Is that their is no quality control regulation?
How much CBD is truly in the Oil?
What some companies do, is to provide what is called a 'Certificate of Analysis'.
Which is an independent test, that identifies and quantifies all elements of the Oil, and how much CBD it contains.

But their is no Body that regulates this, and certifies that the analysis is genuine?
Also no Body, that checks that all of a companies CBD Oil, is of the same quality?
Which changed my view about Pharma companies being made responsible for distributing CBD.
As they are held officially accountable, for maintaining quality control.

As it stands in the US? I could fill some small bottles with a 100 mg of Olive Oil.
Write my own Certificate of Analysis, and make up what is in it.
Then create a website, selling CBD Oil.
As their is no regulation, I could get away with this.

Though I'm hoping that with the model that is being setup here in Australia?
That their will regulation, that ensures quality control.

[bros]

Apr 24, 2017 13:59:45 GMT -5 healthy11 said:

I can appreciate the situation, and am glad that something has been able to give you relief. Has it also helped with your epilepsy? I've read several stories of families with children who have epilepsy moving to CO just to get access to marijuana. cannasos.com/news/authors/moving-to-legal-colorado-to-treat-epilepsy-anything-to-cure-a-kid

My epilepsy is pretty mild - I haven't had a seizure in a while, though

[healthy11]

I'm glad your epilepsy hasn't been problematic lately. My boss' 29 year old daughter has epilepsy and is hospitalized now, after having had several significant seizures this past weekend...she'd been doing well, and had resumed driving again (I think she had to be seizure-free for 6 months, and have Dr. permission) Now it's "back to square 1" as far as figuring out what new meds to try...

[bros]

Yeah, meds can be tricky. I'm currently on my 9th seizure med in 20 years.