Posted by linkadge on July 31, 2009, at 14:44:47
In reply to Re: Marijuana for depression/anxiety,good or bad idea?, posted by chumbawumba on July 30, 2009, at 22:57:51
>I do think it is a bad idea to use marijuana to >treat depression. I think it is addictive and I >think it does cause brain damage when smoked >enough over over a period of time.
I don't think we really have the data to make those assumptions. Some people who smoke marijuanna have a kind of dysthymia which may be caused by marijuanna or it may predate the use of it.
The notion that MJ causes schizophrenia is not clear cut. Low doses of MJ appear to improve the negative symptoms of schizophrenia and may be why those with the illness are attracted to its effects.
While I think it is clear that the drug is bad for lung health, the case for neurotoxicity is not clear as well. Some compounds in marijuanna actually have potent neuroprotective effects. Cannabanoid agonists also exert neroprotective effects at certain concentrations. As with many drugs too (i.e. stimulants), neurotoxicitiy depends may on drug concentration. A large study on the effects of MJ on cognition arrived at inconclusive results. Many of the cognative effects clear up after the drug is stopped. Some of the cognative effects may simply be due to the fact that people tend not to be too mentally active while stoned. Some of the cognative effects may actually predate the MJ use (i.e. ADHD patients who get relief from hyperactivity and impulsitivty with its use).
MJ can cause panic attacks, but can also reduce anxiety in certain people. Just like SSRI's can worsen some people's anxiety.
The case for the additive properites of the drug is not that clear cut as well. Animals will self administer the drug, but only up to a certain point (unlike crack, meth etc). Animals will kind of maintain a maintainance dose of the drug and be perfectly happy with it. The same is true in humans. Most people just do a certain amount and then keep it at that. Sure they will get withdrawl if they stop, but the same is true with paxil.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:909301
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090721/msgs/909468.html