Marijuana might cause new cell growth in the brain

[MADem]

Ooooooh nooooooooooo!!! What will the gubmint DO? The stuff might be GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8155

A synthetic chemical similar to the active ingredient in marijuana makes new cells grow in rat brains. What is more, in rats this cell growth appears to be linked with reducing anxiety and depression. The results suggest that marijuana, or its derivatives, could actually be good for the brain.

In mammals, new nerve cells are constantly being produced in a part of the brain called the hippocampus, which is associated with learning, memory, anxiety and depression. Other recreational drugs, such as alcohol, nicotine and cocaine, have been shown to suppress this new growth. Xia Zhang of the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada, and colleagues decided to see what effects a synthetic cannabinoid called HU210 had on rats' brains.

...A previous study showed that the antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac) also increases new cell growth, and the results indicated that it was this cell growth that caused Prozac’s anti-anxiety effect. Zhang wondered whether this was also the case for the cannabinoid, and so he tested the rats for behavioural changes.

When the rats who had received the cannabinoid were placed under stress, they showed fewer signs of anxiety and depression than rats who had not had the treatment. When neurogenesis was halted in these rats using X-rays, this effect disappeared, indicating that the new cell growth might be responsible for the behavioural changes....

Ah, but PROZAC costs MONEY, and this stuff grows in the ground for free--cannot have that, I guess!!!!!!

[benburch]

1. Pass that chillum, brother...

Damn, makes me regret I am such a teetotaler in my old age.

[malaise]

3. hahahahhaha

well whre I am I can adjust quickly

[benburch]

6. I am SO not connected!

Last fellow I knew moved to Nepal in '96.

[papau]

5. We are all teetotalers in our old age! - but Doc said nothing about

marijuana!

:toast:

:-)

[havocmom]

7. I've always been a teatotaler... but age brough pain

and pain is making me re-think this pot thing. Now, this little study. Might just put me over the edge to pot-head-dom. Maybe with some weed, I might remember what the hell I went into the other room for.

[CottonBear]

2. It took a government study to discover that:

"When the rats who had received the cannabinoid were placed under stress, they showed fewer signs of anxiety and depression than rats who had not had the treatment."
:eyes:

[papau]

4. LOL - who can afford Prozac without a Employer Medical Plan?

Guess the standard treatment will be marijuana as the gov tries to reduce the cost of the Medicaid - a program that it's destruction of the economy and the health care system has made so many good folks eligible for.

:toast:

:-)

[benburch]

8. Actually, the generic for prozac is fairly cheap now.

But of course, you still need a doctor to prescribe it.

[icymist]

9. Don't worry your little pot heads off!

Only when an expensive little pill can be made from it will pot have a 'medical' value. Meanwhile, watch out for the bastards.