How many times have you been hit with the usual jargon about how bad marijuana is for the brain, and how stupid you are going to become if you smoke it.
Yet, some of the most creative minds of our time attribute their unconventional thinking to the effects of this beautiful herb. So does it make you stupid, or does it actually INCREASE innovation?
Well according to a study conducted by the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada, the effects of marijuana on the brain are everything but detrimental. Let me explain.
Professor Xia Zhang and some of his colleagues at Saskatchewan University decided to test a synthetic form of THC (HU210) on a group of test rats to observe the effects the drug has on neurogenesis (brain cell formation and generation). They gave these rats HIGH DOSES of the THC-like compound twice a day, everyday for a period of ten days to get a good idea of THC’s effects on brain cells.
It turns out, this synthetic THC-like compound actually INCREASED the rate of brain cell formation in the hippocampus (neurogenesis) by a whopping FORTY PERCENT!
Not only did the rate of brain cell formation INCREASE, but the rats also appeared to be less susceptible to observable symptoms of anxiety and depression. The hippocampus is the area of a mammals brain that controls memory, learning, anxiety and depression. So it makes sense that increased brain cell formation in this area of the brain would prove to be beneficial for people suffering from problems associated with these brain functions.
Meanwhile, when you compare these POSITIVE neurological effects of marijuana with the neurological effects of other LEGAL recreational drugs such as nicotine and alcohol, you find that nicotine and alcohol actually DECREASE brain cell formation.
As an activist for legalizing marijuana, it is becoming a bit infuriating to see that such break-through discoveries are being ignored by the medical and legislative communities! Especially when you consider the countless detrimental effects of cigarettes and alcohol, which are sold freely in every store you can find.
This discovery actually explains why some of the most creative minds of our time have attributed their innovation to the effects of marijuana. With every new brain cell that is formed, comes the possibility of a new and interesting thought process, that can break the boundaries of what an individual was previously capable of.
The universities’ findings on the anti-anxiety qualities of THC also explain the peaceful nature of marijuana smokers, and now it is not so hard to understand why marijuana smokers have a “no worries” kind of outlook on life.
Now take a moment to think about how wonderful this plant really is! It is capable of providing clothing (hemp is the strongest fiber in the world), it provides nutrition (cannabis seeds contain the most concentrated nutrients found in any food)! It’s “main ingredient” THC has even been proven to be anti-carcinogenic, eliminating lymphatic tumors in test rats within two weeks.
On top of all of these wonderful benefits, it has now been SCIENTIFICALLY CONFIRMED that it indeed does increase creativity, reduce depression and anxiety, and promote peace.
No wonder half of the population smokes it even though it is still illegal.
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September 19, 2011 at 7:49 pm
I agree with you Geezer420…
People who don’t smoke..just can’t understand that.
September 20, 2011 at 6:09 pm
The government needs to infuse our water supply with this stuff. It would take away the detrimental paranoia of the reich wing and make them less depressed that their religion is a sham. Then they might STFU and leave the rest of us alone.
September 23, 2011 at 6:36 pm
pot is nothing more than good medicine. that what people need to realize pot help people who are sick feels good doesn’t give you lung cancer or liver damage! there has never been a single lethal overdose! I get upset with people that want to say how bad pot is but yet alot of them smoke tobacco and binge drink. I wish our government would legalize it and end this stuiped ass war on drugs. which is costing our country millions if not billions every year.
September 25, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Well if this doesnt just prove why the government has prohibited cannabis, they dont want smart people thinking about the corruption the government is involved in, no not that, arrest them all!
September 27, 2011 at 11:13 am
This is pretty awesome. Wish they would use criminals that are serving life sentences as lab rats instead of actual rats for studies like these.
THC can also kill cancer cells apparently (Check out Rick Simpson)
September 29, 2011 at 6:06 am
IF you plan on stating some of the facts from a study…..you should also state ALL of the facts.
In another study, Barry Jacobs, a neuroscientist at Princeton University, gave mice the natural cannabinoid found in marijuana, THC (D9-tetrahydrocannabinol)). But he says he detected no neurogenesis, no matter what dose he gave or the length of time he gave it for. He will present his results at the Society for Neuroscience meeting in Washington DC in November.
Jacobs says it could be that HU210 and THC do not have the same effect on cell growth. It could also be the case that cannabinoids behave differently in different rodent species – which leaves open the question of how they behave in humans.
October 7, 2011 at 8:48 am
In another study, Barry Jacobs, a neuroscientist at Princeton University, gave mice the natural cannabinoid found in marijuana, THC (D9-tetrahydrocannabinol)). But he says he detected no neurogenesis, no matter what dose he gave or the length of time he gave it for. He will present his results at the Society for Neuroscience meeting in Washington DC in November.Jacobs says it could be that HU210 and THC do not have the same effect on cell growth.
October 9, 2011 at 11:25 pm
I just read the article and you left out some really important facts in the article. The article clearly states that this research is at a beginning stage and that ”the synthetic cannabinoid called HU210” was used on rats in one research that ”HU210” did in fact raise growth of brain cells and lower depression and such. Which is great news! But you left out the lower part of the article which states that another research was done on other species of rats by giving them ”THC (D9-tetrahydrocannabinol))” and in this research nothing happened but we are not told about this research in detail untill november.
This raises questions like does this only work on rats? and Will this work on humans too?
This may well lead to a drug for humans with ONLY ”HU210” sold in pharmacies and not really an immediate legalization of marijuana.
But this is a step in that direction so think of this news as the meager beginning to more research on the matter that will perhaps lead to the legalization to this.
But in no way has this research proven anything it has just opened a way for further research into this matter…
article can be read here: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn8155-marijuana-might-cause-new-cell-growth-in-the-brain.html
October 14, 2011 at 9:16 am
Looking at all the comments made, the one that stands out most is the one made by “Jim”. When you attempt to make a proper argument, and are trying to sound like a calm headed serious guy, saying,
“This is just one sided hippy bullshit that doesn’t give the whole picture. A study has been conducted on rats and that’s all the evidence you need to prove that weed is a perfectly safe drug to use? Moron.”
Personally when I see terms like Hippy Bullshit, I dont take him seriously. and when you call a man who wrote this article a “Moron” because he is passionate about a certain cause, well thats just not acceptable. Plus I highly doubt you have the education higher than the people who conducted this test, and just because you dont agree with something doesnt make it “Hippy bullshit”.
Now, when it comes down to the tests at hand,obviously they havent been done extensively enough to prove that Marijuana use is safe. BUT, I can say from personal use that it has helped me when nothing else could, through depression and ADHD, I am currently in my third year of Psycho-Analytical Sciences in University, and I still smoke weed every day.
Nobody will be the exact same as annother person when high, but If we keep pushing to have marijuana legalized, it can help our economy. Nicotine should not be available to the public, but again that is MY opinion, and it is understandable to say that when/if Cigarettes are prohibited, then people will buy them illegally.
In conclusion, Marijuana isn’t proven to be safe but it has a higher potential to be safer than alcohol and/or cigarettes.
October 18, 2011 at 7:02 pm
okay – one must be careful, because there are many different kinds of cannabinoids. Some can produce intense psychoactive effects related to schizophrenia, especially to those who are susceptible (see Nature of Things – http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/natureofthings/2010/downsideofhigh/ )
However, there are also cannabinoids that have the opposite effect that actually reduce anxiety and provide user with a heightened sense of insight. Unfortunately, modern cultivation practices (esp. in BC) tend to cultivate out the ‘good’ cannabinoids in favour of the ‘intense’ cannibinoids.
Most users can attest to both of these phenomenon, and notice some varieties are ‘better’ than others.
October 22, 2011 at 9:42 am
I have been a smoker for 20 years and back when i was 16 up until 19 i smoked it like cigerettes and it got me extremly paranoid and depressed and because alot of other things going on in my life at the time i ended up with bad anxiety and depression amongst other things but i cant blame that soley on pot it was just a helping factor, anyway i stopped for 5 years then started smoking it again as may sound stupid to some but i missed the old girl and now i smoke it in moderation and its the best thing i ever did because i control it it has completely cured my depression and anxiety and now i can lead the best life i could ever imagine all thanks to cannabis. so what im really trying to say is if u do any form of drugs either drink, pills, weed what ever if u do too much of its going to do u damage and mess u up.
November 1, 2011 at 3:16 pm
This has everything to do with money and nothing to do with whether Cannibus is healthy or unhealthy for us.
The drug companies are gearing up to make a pharmaceutical version and when this is ready, the government will suddenly find it to be necessary to control or cure disease,
No different than Oxycotton, Zanax, Demerol, and other dangerous and highly abused pharmaceuticals approved for the public because they are controlled by Big Pharma
November 30, 2011 at 12:06 pm
It pisses me off so much when I hear or see people talk about how bad marijuana is and how people are so stupid from smoking it. I’d be willing to bet that anyone who is “stupid” after smoking marijuana has done a hell of a lot more other drugs. Sure you have the ocassional lazy pothead who is going to go nowhere in life but I’m sure even without the weed, they still had no intentions of doing anything with their life. I’m a regular smoker and I believe I’m pretty accomplished so far. I have a full time job and I also attend college. I’m financially responsible being 19 and from a poor family I have more than enough saved up in my bank. I have my own vehicle and house. I have a credit card and different bills which I have never been late on any of them. I have an “A” average in all of my classes. I have a few different writing classes that I have to take for my degree and a lot of the time I can’t think of a clever way to write what I want to say. Ill smoke a little marijuana and before I know it my papers done and I get an “A” on it. The U.S. is in a 15 trillion dollar debt. If they would legalize marijuana and tax it, I guarentee the debt would decrease by at least half if the government cut spending. Not to mention that with it legalized that would lead to hundreds of thousands of new jobs with growers to grow and shops to sell. According to experts, marijuana is soooooo bad for you. Then what do you call cigarettes, alcohol, and pretty much all food now a days. You smoke rat poison with cigarettes, destroy your liver with alcohol, and get fat with most of the food these days. And marijuana does…ohh wait..it has health benefits and it’s a naturally growing plant! Terminally ill cancer patients would be long dead of dehydration if it wasn’t for marijuana to keep their liquids and food down. It helps increase brain cells. It stimulates blood vessels to help the flow of blood throughout the body. I’d be willing to bet that marijuana is going to have something to do with a cancer cure in the future. It reduces stress and is a lot healthier than most of the stuff these days.
January 7, 2012 at 2:32 am
I’m no pot head simply cause I don’t care for weed just not my thing.I have no problem with friends or any one who smokes pot, It’s simply a choice.If people can smoke be peaceful and still realize theirs more to life than pot though if you ask me it’s fine if you think that life’s all about weed., how is it any bit of a problem? I mean everyone has different goals in life If all you want to do is smoke pot your whole life that’s fine.It’s better to have a nation of pot heads than a nation killing themselves on lethal doses of other substances.
one thing if any I believe weed does is show you an amazing experience.I believe It’s an enlightening substance that shows you the world in another sense. Legal Illegal The justice system, the government, Weed shows us that value is in the earth, everything we’ve been taught to believe is valuable is not, money is false value trapping us into a city ware their is nothing but crime and violence and people suffering to make it day to day nothing but filthy air, dirty water, and harmful chemicals created.We have been lead to believe to deeply into values that are false.when you realize all things in life work through harmony you see the importance of our environment in general. All things work through balance.Look at what food is also the healthiest for you mostly plants”fruits and veggies”their is your answer, Marijuana is a plant, one of the many herbs that so greatly were naturally intended for us to use in so many ways.So many Herbs are good for us and only some are poisonous.Since we’ve messed up our home so far we just need to find new ways to bond with it again witch is what we are doing.The government shouldn’t have hated on the tree hugging pot smoking hippies, because they were right.ALL Scientific research confirms that just about everything we’ve done has seriously Damaged our environment, The one real home we all had. Nothing but problems exist in this world and a hunger for more witch just can’t be satisfied.It’s pretty sad but if man can’t let go of his ignorance, the earth will eventually not be liveable.One harmony with all life, no blindness to any view points, every thing in life relates to marijuana, all things are built off of a spine, core, or foundation,Even the things wee build. Just like the stem and leaves branching off. I believe in seeing the structure of all life and realizing it is all one mind divided into all things.
“These are just Beliefs About Marijuana, I respect you if you believe differently,Please Do the same.”
January 20, 2012 at 8:25 am
It’s only illegal because it is a threat to some commercial enterprises, like the pulp and paper industry, then there is the nylon thread that it threatens and of course the oil sector … and then the medical sector also, it is one heck of a great herbal plant with loads of good potential – then it has been discovered to help with the fruit virus that hit a lot of fruit trees here in Southern Germany and Switzerland. They also detox the ground … etc., and the list goes on and on …. Thanks for posting it, have been hearing the opposite from other sources.