Early marijuana use tied to long-term brain problems
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(CBS) Call it the pubescent pot problem.
New research shows that adults who smoked marijuana before age 15 have significant problems with attention span, impulse control, and "executive function" - the ability to plan and carry out tasks.
How about people who took up toking later in life? The same research showed they were much less likely to have such difficulties.
For the research, scientists at the Federal University of Sao Paulo in Brazil used a stardard "card sorting" task to evaluate the cognitive ability of 104 long-term cannabis users, including 49 who had started using before age 15. On average, the early tokers had smoked pot for 10.9 years, the Daily Mail reported.
What happened? The early herb enjoyers made more mistakes than those who waited to use weed, as well as the "controls" who didn't smoke marijuana.
"We found that early-onset, but not late-onset, chronic cannabis users had deficits in their cognitive functioning," study author Dr. Maria Alice Fontes said, according to the paper. "Adolescence is a period in which the brain appears to be particularly vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of cannabis. The brain before the age of 15 is still developing and maturing, so exposure to cannabis during this period may be more harmful."
Marijuana seems to cause both chemical and structural changes in the brain, study co-author Dr. Karen Bolla, associate professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, told CBS News. She said rapid brain development continues until one's early twenties.
If early pot smoking really is bad for the brain, lots of Americans may be at risk for long-term cognitive difficulties. A 2009 study found that 7 percent of 8th graders and 16 percent of 10th graders had used marijuana in the past month, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse website.
Marijuana has been linked to other problems with brain function, including difficulties learning new things and recalling recent events, according to the institute.
So what's the new study's take-away message? "Young people need to be educated that their brains are more vulnerable," Dr. Bolla said. "You don't want to be putting in a lot of drugs."
The study was published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.
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However, the propaganda of the zero-tolerance drug warriors needs to be addressed.
Marijuana does not cause memory loss!. Alan Searleman, (St. Lawrence Univ.), an expert on memory, who has written a book on the subject, says marijuana does not cause any memory loss.
Pot does not cause any lasting effects.
It's existence does seem to psychologically castrate muscle-bound cops though.
Why did you post a VERY SUCCESSFUL (Grammy-nominated) song by a well known marijuana consumer, that MAKES FUN of ridiculous anti-marijuana propaganda LIES, to try and prove your point that marijuana causes people to be lazy, unproductive and unsuccessful? How many Grammy nominated songs have you produced? When you listened to that song didn't it occur to you that the FAR FETCHED claims in that song NEVER HAPPEN TO ANYONE?
Is the light starting to come on in your brain yet? Are you beginning to see just how brainwashed you are by anti-marijuana propaganda LIES?
Thanks for the link, it had been a while since I heard that song and had a good laugh about all the people like you that are STILL lapping up uncle SHAM'S anti-marijuana drug war propaganda Kool-Aid.
Instead of devolving further in your understanding about marijuana and marijuana PROHIBITION, why not take off your tin foil hat, READ the information in the links I posted and join the rest of us in the REAL world?
It's not a shame to be duped but it's a real shame to remain duped when ALL the scientific and historical evidence proves beyond any shadow of doubt that: Quote [Marijuana's] relative potential for harm to the vast majority of individual users and its actual impact on society does not justify a social policy designed to seek out and firmly punish those who use it.End quote... and that: Quote[MARIJUANA], IN ITS NATURAL FORM, IS ONE OF THE SAFEST THERAPEUTICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES KNOWN. IN STRICT MEDICAL TERMS, MARIJUANA IS SAFER THAN MANY FOODS WE COMMONLY CONSUME.End quote
The claim of amotivational syndrome is a canard. Were you to spend about 5 minutes inside our world you would discover that the nonsense that you've learned from others about us is just that, nonsense. People like you claim to be worried about our youth. Don't you ever worry about the inevitable loss of your credibility when they actually take a few minutes and find out that your spinning fiction from whole cloth?
The short term memory loss associated with consuming marijuana exists ONLY while under the influence of marijuana and is VERY mild! This is EXACTLY TRUE! If you have credible proof to the contrary, POST IT!
Consuming marijuana DOES NOT negatively affect motivational levels! The claim that it does is nothing but another load of pure anti-marijuana HOGWASH! You said: everyone who has consumed this substance knows this to be true ... everyone. Your claim is PURE HOGWASH and I already posted credible medical and historic proof of that. If you have credible proof to the contrary, POST IT!
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it changes brain chemistry. water does not ... neither does normal consumption of non-toxic foods. denying that there isn't a change to brain function from mj use is completely ignorant.
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The change that occurs from too much water or food can be DEATH! No one of any age in all of recorded history anywhere on planet earth ever died from consuming marijuana and they never will, that's how NONTOXIC marijuana is to the human body! I already proved how NONTOXIC marijuana is beyond any shadow of doubt! Even Heavy Marijuana Use Does Not Damage The Brain! I posted credible medical and historic proof of that. If you have credible proof to the contrary, POST IT! Otherwise, just be honest with yourself and admit that you have been brainwashed into believing anti-marijuana propaganda LIES. Then ask yourself, why is marijuana REALLY illegal. Once you accept the well proven FACT that marijuana was NOT outlawed because of any harm marijuana causes to society or even individual consumers but rather, to protect the profits of crooked corporations that see marijuana / hemp / cannabis as unwanted competition for inferior products produced by crooked corporations that buy crooked politicians, maybe the light will come on in your brain!
You said: claiming that chronic use of mj has no undesirable side effects is as much of a lie as those forwarded to continue it's prohibition.
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I never said using marijuana has NO undesirable side effects. I said any undesirable side effects associated with consuming marijuana are VERY MILD, they don't justify it being illegal and they don't include DEATH!
Everything you are posting looks like it came right out of the anti-marijuana propaganda LIE playbook. Just like the so called study we are commenting on which has the headline: Early marijuana use tied to long-term brain problems. This so called study is far from scientific proof! It is anti-marijuana propaganda designed to brainwash weak minded people!
Many Millions of Americans consume marijuana regularly and they have for many decades! Where are all the dead bodies? Where are all the mindless zombies marijuana consumption has produced? Where are all the sick or brain damaged people that got that way from consuming marijuana? THEY DON'T EXIST!
If you really want to know the TRUTH about marijuana and marijuana PROHIBITION read:
MARIJUANA AND HEMP THE UNTOLD STORY, Thomas J. Bouril,
WHY IS MARIJUANA ILLEGAL, Pete Guither
and the free online book:
THE EMPEROR WEARS NO CLOTHES, The Authoritative Historical Record of Cannabis and The Conspiracy Against Marijuana. 1985 (with at least 12 re-printings with updates)
Click the links to those titles on this webpage:
Internet Explorer web browser: http://jsknow.angelfire.com/home
All Other Browsers: http://jsknow.angelfire.com/index.html
If you think marijuana prohibition has anything to do with the imaginary, false, fabricated, alleged harms from using marijuana as a recreational drug, YOU HAVE BEEN DUPED!
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you're delusional ... and are clearly forwarding your own agenda.
my statements come from first hand experience ... and an honest assessment of reality.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-j-gtQArvc
Why should a substance that is far SAFER than aspirin ONLY be legal for those that have a serious ailment in States that have passed medical marijuana laws? Why should people be forced to use FDA approved poisons instead of a far safer more effective natural plant? Why should a plant that is SAFER than potatoes be regulated and taxed as if it was as dangerous as alcohol? Eating a few raw potatoes can give you a toxic reaction but marijuana is nontoxic. Why should people have their kids taken away from them when nontoxic marijuana is found in their home while far more harmful, even deadly substances are all over the house? Why should anyone be concerned about people using NONTOXIC marijuana when they have hundreds of far more dangerous and often deadly LEGAL substances under their kitchen sink, in their kitchen cabinets, in their medicine cabinets and in their garage? If adults can use those dangerous, even deadly substances safely, does any logical person really think they can't use NONTOXIC marijuana safely and keep their kids safe without Government being involved or a recommendation from a Dr.? Marijuana is one of the SAFEST and most beneficial substances known to mankind!
Why is the most useful plant known illegal? It's illegal because crooked corporations that buy crooked politicians fear competition from superior, safer and more environmentally friendly hemp products and because our Constitution ignoring Government loves to oppress jail and steal from the people! Alcohol, pharmaceutical, tobacco, petroleum, cotton, timber and chemical companies, just to name a few, all see marijuana as unwanted competition because marijuana / hemp / cannabis produces superior more environmentally friendly products than the overpriced, harmful, toxic, often deadly products marijuana prohibition forces everyone to use. The best way for We The People to regain our Constitutional rights and liberty is to demand to be governed strictly according to the Constitution and to demand a complete ban on corporate lobbying. We are supposed to have Government of, for and by THE PEOPLE, not of, for and by corporations and the crooked Constitution shredding politicians they buy! Corporations are NOT people and unconstitutional is ILLEGAL!
What about the kids? Marijuana prohibition does not keep kids from using marijuana! Illegal dealers do not ask for ID! Ask any teen if its easier for them to get marijuana or alcohol. Would you rather have your kid locked up with killers and child molesters, or would you prefer to do your own parenting? Do you really believe an arrest record on a drug charge that will follow them for life and possibly a criminal conviction record on a drug charge that will follow them for life is going to help little Mary and little Johnny be stellar successful citizens?
Every LIE used to promote marijuana PROHIBITION is just that, a LIE! Marijuana does not cause aggressive behavior. Marijuana does not cause dangerous driving. Marijuana does not cause cancer, brain damage or any serious health problems. Marijuana prohibition does not keep kids away from marijuana, illegal dealers don't ask for ID. Marijuana is not a gateway drug, there is absolutely NOTHING about marijuana that causes people to use other drugs. Marijuana is not addictive. In fact marijuana is one of the safest substances known! Marijuana is SAFER than many foods we consume and give to our kids all the time! Exactly what good is this prohibition doing and who is benefiting from it, certainly not WE THE PEOPLE!
This link may interest you too! It is a great example of the tyranny, harm and waste marijuana PROHIBITION inflicts on a regular basis: http://www.opposingviews.com/i/video-outrage-utah-police-kill-marijuana-smoker-in-own-home
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there are many lies forwarded to continue the policy of classifying the use and possession of mj illegal. this does not mean all that is forwarded about the adverse effects of using mj is not true.
claiming that chronic use of mj has no undesirable side effects is as much of a lie as those forwarded to continue it's prohibition.
The short term memory loss associated with consuming marijuana exists ONLY while under the influence of marijuana and is VERY mild. It amounts to forgetting what you were about to say for a few seconds. If you are driving, you do not forget the rules of the road and if you are working or engaged in potentially dangerous activities, you do not forget to be careful and pay attention to what you are doing!
It is impossible to get anything more than a mild euphoric feeling from consuming marijuana, NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU CONSUME OR HOW OFTEN YOU CONSUME IT! To get any more of a reaction than a mild euphoric feeling would require consuming more marijuana than it is possible to consume, even with much effort! Please CAREFULLY READ what judge Young said, which is documented in my first post.
Consuming marijuana DOES NOT negatively affect motivational levels! The claim that it does is nothing but another load of pure anti-marijuana HOGWASH! For many decades researchers have tried to prove a marijuana-induced amotivational syndrome and have failed. People that are intoxicated constantly, REGARDLESS OF THE DRUG, are unlikely to be productive members of society. There is nothing about marijuana specifically that causes people to lose their drive or ambition. In laboratory studies, subjects given high doses of marijuana for several days or even several weeks exhibit no decrease in work motivation or productivity. Among working adults, marijuana users tend to earn higher wages than non-users. College students who use marijuana have the same grades as nonusers. Among high school students, heavy use is associated with school failure, but school failure USUALLY COMES FIRST. None of the medical tests currently used to detect brain damage in humans have found harm from marijuana, even from long term high-dose use. This link may interest you, it represents a very small number of the very successful people that are documented marijuana consumers: http://www.veryimportantpotheads.com/
Even Heavy Marijuana Use Does Not Damage Brain: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20030701/heavy-marijuana-use-doesnt-damage-brain
Consider this! Watch Irvin Rosenfeld who gets his marijuana from the Federal Government destroy all the lies about marijuana consumers being lazy and unproductive. Watch him destroy all the lies about long term heavy marijuana use being harmful. Learn the truth about marijuana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvzX8aNwxgM
Probably any substance that a person consumes to excess can be harmful. You can drink water until you die, you can eat until you die, so why are you attempting to suggest that over consumption of marijuana is going to have some drastic undesirable side effect for those who utilize it chronically? When you compare marijuana to virtually any other substance on planet earth, (maybe EVERY other substance) go back and READ what Judge Young had to say about it, which is documented in my first post. There have been THOUSANDS of studies on marijuana, NOT EVEN ONE has ever shown ANY scientific proof of marijuana being dangerous anywhere near the point which should be required to outlaw something.
On March 22, 1972 the Richard Nixon-appointed, 13-member National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse recommended the decriminalization of marijuana, concluding:
Quote -[Marijuana's] relative potential for harm to the vast majority of individual users and its actual impact on society does not justify a social policy designed to seek out and firmly punish those who use it. End quote
Richard Nixon chose to ignore the advice of his own well qualified, expensive, taxpayer funded, commission and start the modern escalation of criminalizing marijuana consumers. The lies he promoted have done much harm! He started the so called war on drugs, which is actually a violent unconstitutional war against nonviolent citizens, which are no threat to their selves or society and a war on Constitutional rights and liberties. He did this acting as a tyrant, in response to nonviolent anti-Vietnam war protests by We The People, which largely consisted of young American marijuana consumers.
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this is not true.
[Consuming marijuana DOES NOT negatively affect motivational levels! The claim that it does is nothing but another load of pure anti-marijuana HOGWASH!]
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everyone who has consumed this substance knows this to be true ... everyone.
[Probably any substance that a person consumes to excess can be harmful. You can drink water until you die, you can eat until you die, so why are you attempting to suggest that over consumption of marijuana is going to have some drastic undesirable side effect for those who utilize it chronically?]
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it changes brain chemistry. water does not ... neither does normal consumption of non-toxic foods. denying that there isn't a change to brain function from mj use is completely ignorant.
Why don't we ask Willie Nelson why, at the age of 78, with a net worth estimated at $18 million that he still tours constantly?
You say anyone that's smoked it knows that you fiction is true, and you say it to someone who smokes it and says that's a lie. Now I'm also telling you that's a lie.
Please stop acting as if you're informed, because you aren't.
I started smoking MJ at age 13. I still imbibe at age 46.
I was presented in concert (piano) at age 14. I have been a career musician since.
I graduated with honors from university with a double major and a minor. I am a military veteran. I have lived all over the world as a military wife. I have successfully raised a family of four children.
The idea that marijuana is so awful is not credible. If it was so bad, why has my life been so successful? Why are most of my musician friends perfectly all right?
Marijuana is a perfectly natural plant and I think it is fine to use.