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For the first time, the researchers were able to define brain function abnormalities in the structure of long-term marijuana users using multiple magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. They learned chronic marijuana users have smaller brain volume in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), a part of the brain commonly associated with addiction, but also increased brain connectivity. Dr. Francesca Filbey, associate professor in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas and Director of the Cognitive Neuroscience Research in Addictive Disorders at the Center for BrainHealth, was the lead researcher. Her team and she were motivated to study the issue because of the increased marijuana use observed since 2007 and the lack of knowledge of how this use affects the brain.
“There may be neurobiological risks associated with marijuana use given that the changes in the brain were associated with how long marijuana has been used regularly," she told MainStreet. "Whatever compensatory effects the brain makes for the decline in gray matter seem to diminish with long term use. We cannot be sure of causation because this was a one time study of the participants’ brain, not a longitudinal one. That’s the next step for this research – to follow these individuals at different time points to see how their brains change over time in comparison to themselves, not a control group.”
When asked how those legislators and policymakers in states considering legalization should view this study, Filbey said that the study offers “comprehensive evidence that the effects of marijuana on the brain are complex. The public should be aware that age of onset and duration of use influence the effects of marijuana on the brain.” Filbey also explained how the changes in the brain observed relate to the ability of human being to function normally while using marijuana. “The orbital frontal cortex is a key part of the brain's reward system/network and instrumental in our motivation, decision-making and adaptive learning," she said. "As such, our finding that chronic marijuana users had smaller brain volume in the orbital frontal cortex, might manifest behaviorally making it difficult for them to change learned behavior.”
“For example, once someone has learned that using marijuana makes them feel good, it may be difficult for them to unlearn it and motivate themselves to change their behavior despite the negative consequences," she added. "In terms of functioning, we only tested IQ in these participants. While IQ was lower in the marijuana users relative to non-users, their scores were still within the normal range of functioning and were not associated with brain changes.” Filbey and her team of researchers emphasize that more study needs to be completed before scientists can really understand what is going on in the brain. Such research, when completed, can better guide policymakers about the effects of marijuana decriminalization on society as a whole.
New Study Indicates Long-term Effects of Weed Use on Brain Dire Implications for Pot Proponents - MainStreet
Published online this month by the reputable journal Addiction of the Society for the Study of Addiction, the monograph by Wayne Hall, a professor at the University of Queensland Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research in Australia, indicates that there are some real dangers in using marijuana including psychosocial problems and mental health issues in adulthood, as well as other adverse effects. The research was funded by the Australian government’s prestigious National Health and Medical Research Council. The salient conclusions are that while acute cannabis use does not produce fatal overdoses, there are many other hazards.
For example, the report says that deleterious outcomes of acute pot use are:
* Driving while cannabis-intoxicated doubles the risk of a car crash; this risk increases substantially if users are also alcohol-intoxicated.
* Cannabis use during pregnancy slightly reduces birth weight of the baby.
It also states that among the detrimental effects of chronic marijuana use are:
* Regular cannabis users can develop a dependence syndrome, the risks of which are around one in ten of all cannabis users and one in six among those who start in adolescence.
* Regular cannabis users double their risks of experiencing psychotic symptoms and disorders, especially if they have a personal or family history of psychotic disorders, and if they start using cannabis in their mid-teens.
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Colorado? The same Colorado that vehemently opposes hydraulic fracturing?Can you say, "economic recovery" like this country has never seen? It's time for prohibition to end. Quit being stupid America. Instead of spending billion$ on keeping it illegal, get high and make billion$. Hemp clothing, hemp paper, hemp rope, hemp cars that don't dent or scratch. Not to mention a great buzz.
In which state do you reside?I would be down with my state legalizing pot under the condition that almost every cent in tax dollars collected went to paying down the state's debt. Sure some money will be need to be set aside for enforcement and whatnot but the rest goes to pay down the state's debt. After the debt is paid off you can use the money for statewide picnic for all I care.
In which state do you reside?I would be down with my state legalizing pot under the condition that almost every cent in tax dollars collected went to paying down the state's debt. Sure some money will be need to be set aside for enforcement and whatnot but the rest goes to pay down the state's debt. After the debt is paid off you can use the money for statewide picnic for all I care.
Except for the PA Turnpike.In which state do you reside?I would be down with my state legalizing pot under the condition that almost every cent in tax dollars collected went to paying down the state's debt. Sure some money will be need to be set aside for enforcement and whatnot but the rest goes to pay down the state's debt. After the debt is paid off you can use the money for statewide picnic for all I care.
Pennsylvania. The most glorious and beautiful Commonwealth in the union.
Except for the PA Turnpike.In which state do you reside?I would be down with my state legalizing pot under the condition that almost every cent in tax dollars collected went to paying down the state's debt. Sure some money will be need to be set aside for enforcement and whatnot but the rest goes to pay down the state's debt. After the debt is paid off you can use the money for statewide picnic for all I care.
Pennsylvania. The most glorious and beautiful Commonwealth in the union.
So are you an alcoholic or a tea totaler? All these chicken little's have been saying the sky is falling for the last eighty years, but no one has died from pot, no one. And the guy that discovered LSD did it hundreds of times, and lived to be 102.Granny says, "Dat's right - an' `sides dat it'll make ya goofy...
New Study Indicates Long-term Effects of Weed Use on Brain, Dire Implications for Pot Proponents
Nov 21, 2014 — A recent study published November 10 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), one of the world's most prestigious scientific journals, examined long term effects of marijuana use on the brain, and the implications for legalization proponents are dire.
For the first time, the researchers were able to define brain function abnormalities in the structure of long-term marijuana users using multiple magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. They learned chronic marijuana users have smaller brain volume in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), a part of the brain commonly associated with addiction, but also increased brain connectivity. Dr. Francesca Filbey, associate professor in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas and Director of the Cognitive Neuroscience Research in Addictive Disorders at the Center for BrainHealth, was the lead researcher. Her team and she were motivated to study the issue because of the increased marijuana use observed since 2007 and the lack of knowledge of how this use affects the brain.
“There may be neurobiological risks associated with marijuana use given that the changes in the brain were associated with how long marijuana has been used regularly," she told MainStreet. "Whatever compensatory effects the brain makes for the decline in gray matter seem to diminish with long term use. We cannot be sure of causation because this was a one time study of the participants’ brain, not a longitudinal one. That’s the next step for this research – to follow these individuals at different time points to see how their brains change over time in comparison to themselves, not a control group.”
When asked how those legislators and policymakers in states considering legalization should view this study, Filbey said that the study offers “comprehensive evidence that the effects of marijuana on the brain are complex. The public should be aware that age of onset and duration of use influence the effects of marijuana on the brain.” Filbey also explained how the changes in the brain observed relate to the ability of human being to function normally while using marijuana. “The orbital frontal cortex is a key part of the brain's reward system/network and instrumental in our motivation, decision-making and adaptive learning," she said. "As such, our finding that chronic marijuana users had smaller brain volume in the orbital frontal cortex, might manifest behaviorally making it difficult for them to change learned behavior.”
“For example, once someone has learned that using marijuana makes them feel good, it may be difficult for them to unlearn it and motivate themselves to change their behavior despite the negative consequences," she added. "In terms of functioning, we only tested IQ in these participants. While IQ was lower in the marijuana users relative to non-users, their scores were still within the normal range of functioning and were not associated with brain changes.” Filbey and her team of researchers emphasize that more study needs to be completed before scientists can really understand what is going on in the brain. Such research, when completed, can better guide policymakers about the effects of marijuana decriminalization on society as a whole.
New Study Indicates Long-term Effects of Weed Use on Brain Dire Implications for Pot Proponents - MainStreet
See also:
Marijuana Use Is Truly Dangerous, 20-Year Study Reveals
Oct 9, 2014 — A recently completed study of 20 years of research on cannabis use confirmed at least one of the claims of marijuana legalization advocates but dismantled many of arguments pot proponents use to bolster their cause.
Published online this month by the reputable journal Addiction of the Society for the Study of Addiction, the monograph by Wayne Hall, a professor at the University of Queensland Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research in Australia, indicates that there are some real dangers in using marijuana including psychosocial problems and mental health issues in adulthood, as well as other adverse effects. The research was funded by the Australian government’s prestigious National Health and Medical Research Council. The salient conclusions are that while acute cannabis use does not produce fatal overdoses, there are many other hazards.
For example, the report says that deleterious outcomes of acute pot use are:
* Driving while cannabis-intoxicated doubles the risk of a car crash; this risk increases substantially if users are also alcohol-intoxicated.
* Cannabis use during pregnancy slightly reduces birth weight of the baby.
It also states that among the detrimental effects of chronic marijuana use are:
* Regular cannabis users can develop a dependence syndrome, the risks of which are around one in ten of all cannabis users and one in six among those who start in adolescence.
* Regular cannabis users double their risks of experiencing psychotic symptoms and disorders, especially if they have a personal or family history of psychotic disorders, and if they start using cannabis in their mid-teens.
MORE
