Paranoid or Placid? Scans Show Pot's Effect on Brain

[usregimechange]

FRIDAY, Jan. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Smoking marijuana can mean different things to different people -- for some, anxiety and paranoia can set in, while others mellow out.

Now, a unique brain scan study suggests two ingredients in pot may work independently to achieve these effects.

British scientists who watched the effects of the two marijuana ingredients -- Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) -- on the brains of 15 young men say the research shows how the drug can either ease or agitate the mind.

"People have polarized views about marijuana," said study lead author Dr. Sagnik Bhattacharyya, a researcher in the department of psychosis studies at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London. "Some consider it to be essentially harmless but potentially useful as a treatment in a number of medical conditions, and others link it to potentially severe public health consequences in terms of mental health. This study explains why the truth is somewhere in between."

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_120529.html

[Robb]

1. That's fascinating. I wonder if those two ingredients

...present in different proportion from plant strain to plant strain, accounting for the different kinds of experiences reported by users.

[mzteris]

5. that's what I was thinking . . .

plus - like alcohol - does what you've eaten - or not - have an effect? Body weight/fat stores, gender, mood, other health conditions (cold, flu, undiagnosed something or other. . . )

Maybe the overwhelming desire for chocolate (so I've heard) is because it's an "anti-anxiety food"?

Although, I would think the neurological/psychological underpinnings of the individual would be the main variable. And how would one "know" beforehand?

[montanto]

7. Good question: The answer is they do.

People who use MMJ often do a little research to find out which strains and even right down to specific blends of strain characteristics will help with their problems. For example I suffer from insomnia. The thing that works best for me with the least morning after side effects is an Indica strain, which I know to be higher in CBDs and lower in THC. See, its the agitation that I can't stand and the soporific effect that I am looking for. Other people will use the Sativa strains with almost the reverse characteristics (higher THC, lower CBD, CBN) to overcome depression, listlessness, and help focus on details. I use the one exclusively over the other, which is why its hard to buy off the streets. Less likely to get the thing that I actually need. Pot is not just pot.

[Ian David]

2. Why are you posting this, man? Why? WHY? WHY?!?!?!?!!

Just kidding.

[usregimechange]

3. That's the response I typically get when I post some scientific finding that is not 100% positive...

about cannabis.

[snagglepuss]

4. Thank you for posting this. The few times I've tried weed or hash

I became paranoid. Absolutely horrible experiences. Getting drunk is also an unpleasant experience as I get profoundly depressed. One or two drinks will get me a bit woozy but I've never experienced the carefree euphoria others experience when drunk.

[RainDog]

6. This British journalist demonstrated a similar effect

...tho she's pretty strange, imo, anyway judging by the way she acts in this segment.

anyway, one problem with current prohibition is that people are not getting CBD along with THC because growing techniques maximize the THC at the expense of CBD - tho growers are focusing on CBD rich strains too b/c ppl recognize the value of keeping CBD in hybrids.

Without THC, CBD isn't psychotropic. With THC, CBD influences the effect of THC and moderates it.