cannabisnews.com: Smoke Two Joints May Be Bad Advice Smoke Two Joints May Be Bad Advice Posted by FoM on April 18, 2001 at 20:33:06 PT By Bimal Rajkomar, Daily Bruin Reporter Source: Daily Bruin Some marijuana enthusiasts may be in the dark as to how those "blunts" produce a high and other associated effects. Over the years, researchers have found that marijuana produces both harmful and beneficial effects in the body. "Tetrahydrocannabinol is one of 60 compounds in marijuana smoke that have a similar chemical structure, called cannabinoids, but it is responsible for the high," said UCLA Professor of Medicine Donald Tashkin. After inhaling marijuana, the smoke is absorbed in the lungs, where it fills up capillary beds. It is carried by the circulatory system into the brain, where most of its effects occur, according to psychology professor Carlos Grijalva. A burning joint is made up of two components, the particulate and the gas phases, both of which can be potentially harmful. THC is concentrated in the particulate phase, or the tar, where it is deposited in the lung or absorbed in the blood stream. The gas phase is an irritant and contains cyanide and formaldehyde. "Despite common belief, marijuana is much more toxic than cigarettes," said Professor of Medicine Michael Roth. "The toxic effects are probably cumulative, meaning the more you are exposed, the more risk you face." But smoking one to two joints a day can do as much damage as smoking one to two packs of cigarettes, Roth said. Because marijuana joints have no filter and users inhale it so deeply, much more of the carcinogens are deposited in the lung. Marijuana is 10 to 20 times more potent than cigarettes in terms of toxicity and carcinogenic properties, not including the immunological effects unique to marijuana, Roth said. But according to scientists, the human body produces endo-cannabinoids, compounds similar to THC. "We produce endo-cannabinoids called anandamides, which are structurally different from THC, Tashkin said. "The name comes from the Sanskrit word meaning 'bliss.'" Tashkin said ways to increase levels of natural anandamides will be a major area of research in the future. Cannabinoids must bind to special proteins found on cell membranes to function properly. "Cannabinoids bind to specific receptors, CB1 receptors located in the brain, and CB2 receptors located in other parts of the body," Roth said. THC acts as a key as it attaches to receptors. The protein changes shape when the compound binds, triggering a chain of chemical events. For example, if it binds in the basal ganglia, a part of the brain, it could affect movement and coordination, Tashkin said. The receptors are most highly concentrated in parts of the brain that process memory, regulate emotions and coordinate movement. "(THC) has its major effects on the central nervous system and acts as a mild sedative, resulting in a sense of tranquility and euphoria for individuals used to it," Tashkin said. But those who are not used to its effects often experience anxiety or panic, he said. Scientists at UCLA are making advances to further explore the negative aspects of the compound. According to researchers, THC can also bind to CB2 receptors on white blood cells leading to malfunctions in the body's defense system. Mice vaccinated for certain diseases have been shown to lose their immunity to illnesses while they are on THC, and similar effects have been with human cell cultures. "These cells are not able to fight off infections," Roth said. "Specifically, marijuana smokers are at an increased risk for infection." Effects: Marijuana can pose dangerous physical risks, some scientists say.Source: Source: Daily Bruin (CA)Author: Bimal Rajkomar, Daily Bruin Reporter Published: April 18, 2001Copyright: 2001 ASUCLA Student MediaContact: viewpoint media.ucla.eduWebsite: http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #14 posted by Skunkmaniak on June 05, 2001 at 11:19:55 PT: Rubbish!!!! Thats rubbish cannibis is a natural drug and after years of studieing it we have found it obviously has some effects to the health but smoking it pure with out tobacco is the equivelent to smoking half a ciggarette or more!!!yes maybe if the joint you are smoking countains tobacco it may be hazerdouse and the equivelent of two packets of ciggarettes! Also after smoking vast amounts of cannibis your body can become amune to its many carcinogens!yours Dr. Rodolpho Malento [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by observer on May 12, 2001 at 18:36:27 PT Smoke Pot, Live Longer Federal Study Found THC-Treated Rats Lived Longer, Had Less Cancer, 01/17/97, John S. Jameshttp://4.17.177.49/immunet/ATN.NSF/ff0bc4f0fb50a20e882564cb00702699/84582aa93dfa0144882564cc002486d2?OpenDocumenthttp://www.google.com/search?q=THC+rats+live+longer [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Ann-Marie on May 12, 2001 at 17:18:15 PT: Wonder Drug? that's the stupidest thing i've ever heard. "Marjuana makes you look younger and grow hair...." my gosh, did you grow up under powerlines or eat paint-chips when you were young?? [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by KATHY WEDZIK on April 19, 2001 at 15:21:52 PT PROOF IS IN THE MARIJUANA I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE SMOKED MARIJUANA FOR DECADES...WITH NO PULL TOWARDS ANY KIND OF HEALTH PROBLEMS....ONE GIRL I KNOW HAS SMOKED FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS AND IF YOU MET HER YOU WOULD THINK SHE WAS IN HER THIRTIES, BUT SHE IS ACTUALLY ALMOST FIFTY THIS YEAR....SHE HAS NEVER HAD ANY KIND OF COSMETIC SURGERY AND I HAVE NEVER KNOWN HER TO HAVE A COLD OR FLU EITHER.....SHE DOES NOT DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES NOR DOES SHE SMOKE CIGARETTES OR ANY OTHER KIND OF ILLEGAL DRUG....OTHER FELLOWS I KNOW ABOUT ALSO HAVE SMOKED FOR AT LEAST TWENTY YEARS...AGAIN WITH NO HEALTH PROBLEMS...I HAVE NOTICED THAT MARIJUANA SMOKERS HAVE HAIR ON THEIR HEADS THAT SOME PEOPLE WOULD DIE FOR...IT SEEMS TO ME THAT MARIJUANA MAKES YOUR HAIR GROW ON YOUR HEAD AND THAT IT IS VERY STRONG AND HEALTHY HAIR, NAILS TOO...... [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Rambler on April 19, 2001 at 10:08:31 PT Why? What a weird-ass article.It's like Bimal Rajkomar was told tocome up with an anti-marijuana article for some journalismclass.I guess I must be out of touch with the new in-crowd because Ihave never heard anyone use the term,"blunts",other than lawenforcement. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Vaporize This on April 19, 2001 at 08:06:47 PT: Vaporizors Why is it that the news about vaporizers is seldom heard by medical students? No tar, Benzene, Ammonia, Carbon monoxide, or Benzo(a)pyrene. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by GPC on April 19, 2001 at 08:06:45 PT Frances Your attitude only reveals the hatefulness and ignorance of prohitionists as a group and for you as an individual. Even accepting what what you posted is true does not in any way justify our current policies towards responsible adult cannabis use whether for medical or recreational use. Billions of dollars wasted and millions of lives destroyed all for feel good policies based on ignorance and fear. You are wrong, the majority of Americans know that and we will see positive change. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by aocp on April 19, 2001 at 07:23:32 PT Re: Frances MJ has never killed anyone in recorded human history and people who suffer from nasty things like AIDS and cancer speak of its benefits (read: not cures) for them. As ever, your opinion is your own, but i'd drop the smug self-righteouness if i were you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by J.R. Bob Dobbs on April 19, 2001 at 04:28:10 PT Legalize it >>Because marijuana joints have no filter Tobacco cigarettes wouldn't have filters either, if you had to buy it on the black market. There are ways to hand-roll a filter cigarette - which would presumably work with cannibas as well - but I know of nobody who uses them for either tobacco or cannabis. Matter of fact, most people I know, if they had to pay $100+ for an ounce of tobacco, would probably just quit and only smoke herb. Wouldn't you? [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by frances on April 19, 2001 at 04:07:44 PT: TAR & BENZENE - Goooooood medicine Let's see: MARIJUANA CIGARETTES AS MEDICINE.4 times more tar than tobacco cigarettes - GOOD MEDICINE.Benzene - GOOD MEDICINE.Ammonia - GOOD MEDICINECarbon monoxide - GOOD MEDICINEBenzo(a)pyrene - GOOD MEDICINE (other than having a directlink to causing lung cancer).It's easy to see why Dr. Morgan (whose NY City College doesn't graduate medical students) recommends marijuana cigarettes for medicine. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Dan B on April 19, 2001 at 01:48:26 PT: My Bad . . . . . . it appears that Dr. Roth participated in some studies of cannabis along with Dr. Tashkin, as is evidenced by some articles referenced in Dr. Donald Abrams' landmark study on the effects of cannabis on anorexia (wasting syndrome) in AIDS patients:http://www.maps.org/mmj/abrams2.shtmlAnd, when I look back at the article, Dr. Roth's comments are not entirely inaccurate. He's merely echoing certain select (and flawed, I might add) studies that suggest an immunosupressive function of cannabis. However, this article clearly distorts the facts by posing every quotation made by these scientists as proof that cannabis is bad for you. Consider this quotation:Mice vaccinated for certain diseases have been shown to lose their immunity to illnesses while they are on THC, and similar effects have been with human cell cultures. "These cells are not able to fight off infections," Roth said. "Specifically, marijuana smokers are at an increased risk for infection." First, these studies have only been performed on mice and cell cultures, and these effects have not been demonstrated in human studies (at least according to this quotation). Second, Dr. Roth makes a great logical leap when he projects the effects on mice and cell cultures to all "marijuana smokers." Third, notice the phrase "while they are on THC," indicating that when the euphoric effects subside, so do the effects on the immune system. The wording in the article is alarmist; what is actually shown here is that cannabis temporarily supresses the immune system in certain ways. What this article does not go on to say is that at the same time it supposedly supresses the immune system (these studies, by the way, are conflicting, at best--more on this below), cannabis is also a powerful anti-emetic that gives people who otherwise could not keep down food a chance to obtain some nutrition, thereby strengthening the whole body, including the immune system. Here's the "more on this below" part:There is no evidence that marijuana users are more susceptible to infections than nonusers. Nor is there evidence that marijuana lowers users' resistance to sexually transmitted diseases. Early studies which showed decreased immune function in cells taken from marijuana users have since been disproved. Animals given extremely large doses of THC and exposed to a virus have higher rates of infection. Such studies have little relevance to humans. Even among people with existing immune disorders, such as AIDS, marijuana use appears to be relatively safe. However, the recent finding of an association between tobacco smoking and lung infection in AIDS patients warrants further research into possible harm from marijuana smoking in immune-suppressed persons. from Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts, by Lynn Zimmer, Ph. D. and John Morgan, MDOf course, Morgan and Zimmer's remarks were written before Dr. Donald Abrams' study showed that AIDS patients actually benefit from the use of cannabis (see the link, above).In short, the above article is a series of exaggerations based on half-truths. So, while I will concede that Dr. Roth may be an expert in that he has conducted research on the effects of cannabis, I cannot conclude that his statements are based entirely on scientific fact and sound reasoning.Dan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Dan B on April 19, 2001 at 01:20:20 PT: Expertise? I thought many would be interested in the actual research conducted by the doctors quoted in this article. You will notice that Dr. Tashkin's comment has been taken entirely out of context and that the others have no real expertise at all with regard to cannabis. Here are some important links:Dr. Donald Tashkin on the Pulmonary Effects of Marijuanahttp://www.uvm.edu/~rmelamed/smoke.htmlhttp://www.normal.no/txt/heal04ci.htmA Listing of Dr. Carlos Grijalva’a Research Publications and Projects (Note: None of these studies suggest any expertise whatsoever concerning the effects of cannabis)http://www.psych.ucla.edu/Faculty/Grijalva/Dr. Michael Roth is primarily an AIDS researcher, and I have found no evidence of his knowledge or expertise with regard to the effects of cannabis on . . . well, anyone. Here is an example of the kind of research he does:http://www.cancer.mednet.ucla.edu/newsmedia/news/pr033100.htmlAnd a Little Extra Something That Includes Dr. Tashkin’s remarks regarding Cannabis and Asthmahttp://www.cannabisaction.net/cannabis_therapy.htmI hope this information helps to set the record straight about these "experts." Dr. Tashkin is the only expert in the bunch, and his actual findings are far less grim than the above article makes them out to be.Dan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by lookinside on April 18, 2001 at 21:28:30 PT: sanity? did you notice that the various quotes in the article areattributed to several different people? it's also mentionedthat they are researching the NEGATIVE effects ofTHC...hmmm...not just the effects? doesn't sound like thescientific method to me...hmmmm...i heard similar comments published by researchers20+ years ago(funded by federal grants if my memory servesme...)i'm always a bit leery when someone jumps thegun...making broad statements prior to the publication ofdata...if and when this (federally funded?)research ispublished along with the hard data, i'd like to hear about it...any "smoke" contains some poisons...incompletecombustion(smoldering) of organic material is going tocontain complex toxic compounds...the difference between smoking cigarettes and marijuana isthe volume of use...the person who smokes 2 packs a day isCONSTANTLY irritating his lung tissues...they never "catchup"...few recreational pot smokers toke all day long...mostburn 1-2 "jays" in the evening...and many share that jaywith others...subjectively(i'm no scientist), the reason a pot smokertakes a deep lungful of smoke, is because he CAN...it's amore efficient use of the (expensive) herb...try taking ahit off a tobacco cigarette the same way...the results aredisastrous(at least mine were)...tobacco smoke is MUCH moreirritating to the lungs(it's hotter because of additives andlower moisture content)...and this is after passing thru afilter that catches most of the "solids"(particulates)lastly, this "scientist" uses the word "probably"...itreminds me of something rush limbaugh used to say: "there isNOT ONE PERSON LIVING TODAY who ate CARROTS prior to1850"...musta been the carrots, ya think? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by aocp on April 18, 2001 at 21:04:25 PT Scoreboard You know what they say in the sports world when anything is subject to debate (in relation to declared winners)?SCOREBOARD"Despite common belief, marijuana is much more toxic than cigarettes," said Professor of Medicine Michael Roth. "The toxic effects are probably cumulative, meaning the more you are exposed, the more risk you face."What risks? No human has died of MJ use in all of recorded history. Contrast that to tobacco, which takes the lives of 400K americans (alone!) every year! You can call MJ more toxic til your lips turn blue, but the bodies aren't there, guys.SCOREBOARD"These cells are not able to fight off infections," Roth said. "Specifically, marijuana smokers are at an increased risk for infection."Sez you. Where are the bodies?SCOREBOARD [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: