![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jakeman on October 16, 2005, at 22:57:56
Marijuana induces brain cell growth, fights depression
By John Roberts
Foodconsumer.org
Oct 14, 2005, 13:13Canadian researchers discovered that a cannabis-like chemical or cannabinoid found in marijuana stimulates brain cell growth and helps fight anxiety and depression, according to a study released online on October 13 in advance of print publication of the November issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
The finding is in sharp contrast with the common belief that abuse or chronic use of additive drugs inhibits the growth of new brain cells, causes memory loss and impairs learning, among other problems. In this respect, marijuana may not be such an ordinary additive drug. Researchers cautioned that marijuana may be the only exception among the additive drugs.
In the study, Dr. Xia Zhang and colleagues at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, injected a high dose of a cannabis-like in rats twice a day for ten days and found the marijuana chemical promoted the growth of new brain cells – a process known as neurogenesis in the hippocampus.
The hippocampus is the part of the brain that keeps generating new cells or neurons throughout one's lifetime. The hippocampus is associated with memory, depression and mood disorders. Previous studies found that depression is associated with the number of brain cells or neurons.
Dr. Zhang’s team researchers performed tests on rats and proved that the cannabis-like compound has anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effect. Rats treated with the marijuana compound twice a day for ten days had reduced anxiety and/or depression.
The researchers suggest that there is a positive correlation between increased generation of new brain cells and modified behavior following chronic cannabinoid treatment.
The study used a high dosage of a synthetic cannabinoid found in marijuana. It is unknown smoking marijuana may have the same effect.
Use of marijuana is common in many countries. "Cannabis (marijuana, hashish or cannabinoids) has been used for medical and recreational purpose for many centuries," researchers wrote in their article. "Cannabinoids appear to be able to modulate pain, nausea, vomiting, epilepsy, ischemic stroke, cerebral trauma, multiple sclerosis, tumors, and other disorders in humans and or animals."
Researchers suggest that the marijuana chemical may be used to fight anxiety and depression.
© 2004-2005 by foodconsumer.org unless otherwise specified.
Posted by spriggy on October 18, 2005, at 13:29:30
In reply to Marijuana induces brain cell growth, posted by Jakeman on October 16, 2005, at 22:57:56
If this is true, can we imagine one day it will be legalized?
That would make my dad one happy man. ROFL
Posted by MM on October 19, 2005, at 6:08:54
In reply to Re: Marijuana induces brain cell growth, posted by spriggy on October 18, 2005, at 13:29:30
I'm not sure if it's common knowledge or not, but pharmaceutical companies are trying to develop a drug that mimics the effects of marijuana by hitting the the same receptors as a treatment for depression (I believe I read they actually have developed it already). Hmmmm, maybe that's why its legalization is still being fought. Just a thought.
Posted by Maynerd on October 20, 2005, at 22:36:01
In reply to Re: Marijuana induces brain cell growth, posted by MM on October 19, 2005, at 6:08:54
All I know is that smoking marijuana has kept my depressed states to a managable level, without it I am pretty sure that I would have given in to the darkness within. Funny that my first therapist tried make me quit smoking it, blaming all my problems on it... My current therapist is fine with a lithium/ganja mix.
Posted by Jakeman on October 20, 2005, at 23:19:13
In reply to Marijuana induces brain cell growth, posted by Jakeman on October 16, 2005, at 22:57:56
In studies like this I've always wondered how they measure depression and anxiety in rats.
And were there any noticeable side effects? For instance, did the marijuana group get off their exercise wheels and lay around and eat all day?
;-)
Posted by MM on October 21, 2005, at 0:16:55
In reply to Re: Marijuana induces brain cell growth, posted by Jakeman on October 20, 2005, at 23:19:13
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=22937
There's one story I found.....Also, you can look up "Marinol" and I thought I read something about another marijuana-wannabe pill in development, but a quick search didn't pull anything up.
Posted by linkadge on October 21, 2005, at 12:31:10
In reply to Re: Marijuana induces brain cell growth, posted by MM on October 21, 2005, at 0:16:55
I think this is also how exercise promotes neurogenesis through activation of the endogenious canabanoid system.
Linkadge
Posted by vbAgent on November 22, 2005, at 22:26:54
In reply to Re: Marijuana induces brain cell growth, posted by MM on October 21, 2005, at 0:16:55
Besides Marinol, another cannabinoid drug now on the market is called Sativex. I'm unsure if it's available in the US. Do a Google search to read more about it...
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Alternative | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.