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| Marijuana May Live Up To Be The Elixir of Life |
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Posted by CN Staff on October 15, 2005 at 09:57:45 PT By Ravi Chopra Source: Earthtimes.org 
A study by University of Saskatchewan researchers suggests beneficial aspects of smoking marijuana at least among rats, who appear to have sprouted new brain cells and besides benefiting from reduced depression and anxiety.The study's results appearing in the 'Journal of Clinical Investigation' have actually given a fillip to the traditional and mythological view that associates the addictive weed in some ways with immortality. The Canadian researchers led by Xia Zhang, suggested that the illicit substance marijuana actually may promote new brain cells in region of the brain called the hippocampus that is associated with memory. They concluded that marijuana was possibly “the only illicit drug whose capacity to produce increased neurons is positively correlated with its (anti-anxiety) and anti-depressant-like effects”. For the study, the researchers injected laboratory rats two times everyday for 10 days with HU210, a synthetic cannabinoid chemical (obtained from marijuana) and evaluated them against a normal group. The rats that underwent the HU210 injections developed new nerve cells in the brain's hippocampus dentate gyrus region of the brain that facilitates memory development. The injections also appeared to counter depression and anxiety, but could not be held as 100 percent akin to smoking marijuana, which the researchers felt would require additional studies. Zhang suggested that the study did indicate that marijuana could have its medical uses particularly “for the treatment of anxiety and depression”. But these results are unlikely to buy the favor with the US administration or the possibility of legalization on medical grounds. In fact only recently the US Supreme Court ruled against marijuana growth or possession for medical reasons. Unlike most addictive drugs that are known to inhibit the development of new neurons, causing loss of memory and impairing learning on chronic use, it appears that marijuana or ganja may actually be the mythological “elixir of eternal life” that Indian gods churned from the oceans. A sharp contrast from ordinary addictive substances, the researchers suggested that marijuana's neurogenetic properties may actually be unique given that the rats showed some correlation between their cannabinoid treatments, the increased nerve genesis and their altered stress or anxiety levels. Marijuana that has traditionally been used by many cultures over centuries “for medical and recreational purpose”, as the researchers suggest appears to be able to modulate pain, nausea, vomiting, epilepsy, stroke, cerebral trauma and variety of other disorders both for humans and animals alike. But it maybe several more studies before the mysterious benefits of marijuana that currently stand shrouded in tradition and mythology, become accepted by the modern scientific world. Complete Title: Marijuana May Live Up To Be The Elixir of Life for Brain Cells Source: Earthtimes.org (US Web) Related Articles: Study Turns Pot Wisdom on Head Cannabis Acts as Antidepressant Marijuana May Spur New Brain Cells Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #13 posted by FoM on October 16, 2005 at 21:09:14 PT |
| Marijuana and Medicine October 17, 2005 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- The looming question of the effect of marijuana on the brain has been answered. According to Canadian researchers, cannabis promotes neurogenesis -- the generation of new neurons in the brain -- leading to anti-anxiety and anti-depressant type effects. For centuries, marijuana has evoked constant criticism and interest. While it appeared to have some benefits in the medical world, the illicit drug is also used to create recreational highs. Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada, tested increased use of the potent synthetic cannabinoid HU210 in adult rats. One month after chronic HU210 treatment, the rats displayed new neuron generation in the brain. The HU210 had also reduced measures of anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in the rats. Previous studies show chronic administration of other illicit drugs such as opiates, alcohol, nicotine and cocaine suppress neuron generation. Researchers therefore believe marijuana may be the only drug that enhances adult neurogenesis and can modify behavior. This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/ SOURCE: The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2005;115:11 Copyright: 2005 Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Inc. http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=12325 [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #12 posted by runruff on October 15, 2005 at 15:43:54 PT:
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| That was interesting. We never get to old to learn something new. As a metaphor the lemming ledgend will probably live on. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #11 posted by FoM on October 15, 2005 at 15:13:56 PT |
| So the weak, the young, the sick don't often make it. That seems like how it is in society after seeing how they didn't respond after Katrina. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #10 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on October 15, 2005 at 14:12:42 PT |
| Well, the video game kind do. Does anybody remember the video game "Lemmings"? I've never laughed so hard at a piece of software in my life. "Oh NO!" [pop pop pop] But the real lemmings do not commit mass suicide. Check the link below for the details. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #9 posted by siege on October 15, 2005 at 13:15:05 PT |
| BEIJING, Oct. 14 -- "If men were angels, no government would be necessary," said the fourth President of the United States of America, James Madison. No government can govern the people properly without the rule of law. This rule of law undergoes changes with changing times, and that is exactly what is happening at a rapid pace in China today, especially in the criminal justice system. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/14/content_3615013.htm [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #8 posted by siege on October 15, 2005 at 13:05:04 PT |
| PHILLIP RAWLS Associated Press MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Loretta Nall, a 31-year-old mother of two, is running for governor of Alabama when she's not busy with her other duties: writing for Cannabis Culture magazine and serving as president of the U.S. Marijuana Party. http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/news/local/12912374.htm U.S. Marijuana Party: http://www.usmjparty.com campaign: http://www.nallforgovernor.com [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #7 posted by FoM on October 15, 2005 at 12:43:25 PT |
| I like that. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by FoM on October 15, 2005 at 12:40:08 PT |
| I went to dictionary.com and found it before I saw you posted it. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #5 posted by runruff on October 15, 2005 at 12:39:26 PT:
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| They are rodents. Ground dwellers about the size of a ground squirril only orange. The are in northern England maybe elsewhere. They are known for their strange habbit of running over ocean cliffs into the sea committing mass suicide
whenever their population grow to large for the land to support them. Always though nature has a few of them who refuse
to follow the herd over the cliffs. This is natures way of insuring the propegation of the spieces. We here on Cannabis News are the few that refuses to follow the herd over the edge. We are here to insure the propegation the spieces as nature has intended. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by FoM on October 15, 2005 at 12:38:39 PT |
| This sounds like the way people are that are into politics. *** Any of various small, thickset rodents, especially of the genus Lemmus, inhabiting northern regions and known for periodic mass migrations that sometimes end in drowning. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by observer on October 15, 2005 at 12:36:38 PT |
| any of various small short-tailed furry-footed rodents (as genera Lemmus and Dicrostonyx) of circumpolar distribution that are notable for the recurrent mass migrations of a European form (L. lemmus) which often continue into the sea where vast numbers are drowned (My apologies to lemmings for any unflattering comparisons.) [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by FoM on October 15, 2005 at 12:20:42 PT |
| OK will someone tell me what a lemming is? [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #1 posted by runruff on October 15, 2005 at 12:16:50 PT:
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| Maybe we could open up a lemming-aid stand? [ Post Comment ] |
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