Tag Archives: marijuana

Study: Smoking Marijuana Does Not Harm Lungs – CBS

Posted on by
Reply

 “Researchers from UAB helped conduct a 20-year study designed to measure heart disease, but it’s getting international publicity because of what it means for moderate marijuana use and lung function.

Researchers studied low to moderate marijuana users, those who reported smoking about two to three times per month. With cigarette smoking, the more you smoke, the more you decrease your lung function.

This study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows with marijuana, it’s a much more complicated relationship.

Stefan Kertesz with the UAB School of Medicine says, “There was actually an increase in air flow and an increase in lung capacity, but not enough that a person would necessarily feel healthier.”

Dr. Kertesz says it’s important to emphasize the smokers in the study are not the heavy duty smokers often portrayed in movies. Researchers weren’t able to draw conclusions on the effects of heavy marijuana use and lung function.

He says it’s possible the very small increase in air flow researchers saw could represent something of a practice effect. Marijuana smokers are used to taking in deep breaths, holding it and breathing out, which could help them ace the office test of lung function.”

http://www.cbs42.com/content/localnews/story/Study-Smoking-Marijuana-Does-Not-Harm-Lungs/DIw4loQb9k-GZB8Ujf-sCw.cspx

Study: No lung danger from casual pot smoking – CBSNews

Posted on by
Reply

“Add one more data point to the decades-old debate over marijuana legalization: A new study concludes that casual pot smoking – up to one joint per day – does not affect the functioning of your lungs.”

 

“The study, published in the Jan. 11 edition of Journal of the American Medical Association, also offered up a nugget that likely will surprise many: Evidence points to slight increases in lung airflow rates and increases in lung volume from occasional marijuana use.”

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57356548/study-no-lung-danger-from-casual-pot-smoking/

No lung damage from marijuana: study – MSN

Posted on by
Reply

“People who occasionally smoke marijuana do not suffer long-term lung damage the way cigarette smokers do, and may actually experience a slight improvement, a 20-year US study has revealed.”

“Since the research included more than 5,000 people over a long time span, the authors said it should help clear up some of the confusion about the risks of marijuana smoking, which is increasingly common in the United States.”

Read more: http://health.msn.co.nz/healthnews/8401956/no-lung-damage-from-marijuana-study

Smoking pot doesn’t hurt lung capacity, study shows – NBCNews

Posted on by
Reply

“Periodically smoking marijuana doesn’t appear to hurt lung capacity, the largest study ever conducted on pot smokers has found.”

“This is a well-done study involving more subjects than in the past,” says Tashkin, who is not affiliated with the new study. “The public should take away it’s a confirmatory study, but larger and longer than previous studies demonstrating, once again, that smoking marijuana does not impair lung function, unlike tobacco.”

Read more: http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/01/10/10098412-smoking-pot-doesnt-hurt-lung-capacity-study-shows?lite

Marijuana doesn’t appear to harm lung function, study finds – FoxNews

Posted on by
Reply

“Smoking a joint once a week or a bit more apparently doesn’t harm the lungs, suggests a 20-year study that bolsters evidence that marijuana doesn’t do the kind of damage tobacco does…

The analyses showed pot didn’t appear to harm lung function, but cigarettes did…”
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/01/11/marijuana-doesnt-appear-to-harm-lung-function-study-finds/

Marijuana Does Not Raise Lung Cancer Risk -FoxNews

Posted on by
Reply

“People who smoke marijuana do not appear to be at increased risk for developing lung cancer, new research suggests.

 While a clear increase in cancer risk was seen among cigarette smokers in the study, no such association was seen for regular cannabis users.

 Even very heavy, long-term marijuana users who had smoked more than 22,000 joints over a lifetime seemed to have no greater risk than infrequent marijuana users or nonusers.

 The findings surprised the study’s researchers, who expected to see an increase in cancer among people who smoked marijuana regularly in their youth.”
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,196678,00.html

Multiple roles for the endocannabinoid system during the earliest stages of life: pre- and postnatal development.

Posted on by
Reply

Abstract

“The endocannabinoid system, including its receptors (CB(1) and CB(2)), endogenous ligands (‘endocannabinoids’), synthesising and degrading enzymes, as well as transporter molecules, has been detected from the earliest stages of embryonic development and throughout pre- and postnatal development. In addition, the endocannabinoids, notably 2-arachidonyl glycerol, are also present in maternal milk. During three distinct developmental stages (i.e. embryonic implantation, prenatal brain development and postnatal suckling), the endocannabinoid system appears to play an essential role for development and survival. Thus, during early pregnancy, successful embryonic passage through the oviduct and implantation into the uterus both require critical enzymatic control of optimal anandamide levels at the appropriate times and sites. During foetal life, the cannabinoid CB(1) receptor plays a major role in brain development, regulating neural progenitor differentiation into neurones and glia and guiding axonal migration and synaptogenesis. Postnatally, CB(1) receptor blockade interferes with the initiation of milk suckling in mouse pups, by inducing oral motor weakness, which exposes a critical role for CB(1) receptors in the initiation of milk suckling by neonates, possibly by interfering with innervation of the tongue muscles. Manipulating the endocannabinoid system by pre- and/or postnatal administration of cannabinoids or maternal marijuana consumption, has significant, yet subtle effects on the offspring. Thus, alterations in the dopamine, GABA and endocannabinoid systems have been reported while enhanced drug seeking behaviour and impaired executive (prefrontal cortical) function have also been observed. The relatively mild nature of the disruptive effects of prenatal cannabinoids may be understood in the framework of the intricate timing requirements and frequently biphasic effects of the (endo)cannabinoids. In conclusion, the endocannabinoid system plays several key roles in pre- and postnatal development. Future studies should further clarify the mechanisms involved and provide a better understanding of the adverse effects of prenatal exposure, in order to design strategies for the treatment of conditions such as infertility, mental retardation and failure-to-thrive.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18426504

The endocannabinoid-CB(1) receptor system in pre- and postnatal life.

Posted on by
Reply

Abstract

“Recent research suggests that the endogenous cannabinoids (“endocannabinoids”) and their cannabinoid receptors have a major influence during pre- and postnatal development. First, high levels of the endocannaboid anandamide and cannabinoid receptors are present in the preimplantation embryo and in the uterus, while a temporary reduction of anandamide levels is essential for embryonal implantation. In women accordingly, an inverse association has been reported between fatty acid amide hydrolase (the anandamide degrading enzyme) in human lymphocytes and miscarriage. Second, CB(1) receptors display a transient presence in white matter areas of the pre- and postnatal nervous system, suggesting a role for CB(1) receptors in brain development. Third, endocannabinoids have been detected in maternal milk and activation of CB(1) receptors appears to be critical for milk sucking by newborn mice, apparently activating oral-motor musculature. Fourth, anandamide has neuroprotectant properties in the developing postnatal brain. Finally, prenatal exposure to the active constituent of marihuana (Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol) or to anandamide affects prefrontal cortical functions, memory and motor and addictive behaviors, suggesting a role for the endocannabinoid CB(1) receptor system in the brain structures which control these functions. Further observations suggest that children may be less prone to psychoactive side effects of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol or endocannabinoids than adults. The medical implications of these novel developments are far reaching and suggest a promising future for cannabinoids in pediatric medicine for conditions including “non-organic failure-to-thrive” and cystic fibrosis.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15464041

Cannabis reinforcement and dependence: role of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor.

Posted on by
Reply

Abstract

“Awareness of cannabis dependence as a clinically relevant issue has grown in recent years. Clinical and laboratory studies demonstrate that chronic marijuana smokers can experience withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of marijuana smoking and have difficulty abstaining from marijuana use. This paper will review data implicating the cannabinoid CB1 receptor in regulating the behavioral effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannobinol (THC), the primary psycho-active component of cannabis, across a range of species. The behavioral effects that will be discussed include those that directly contribute to the maintenance of chronic marijuana smoking, such as reward, subjective effects, and the positive and negative reinforcing effects of marijuana, THC and synthetic cannabinoids. The role of the CB1 receptor in the development of marijuana dependence and expression of withdrawal will also be discussed. Lastly, treatment options that may alleviate withdrawal symptoms and promote marijuana abstinence will be considered.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2731704/

Dronabinol for the Treatment of Cannabis Dependence: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Posted on by
Reply

   “The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of dronabinol, a synthetic form of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, a naturally occurring pharmacologically active component of marijuana, in treating cannabis dependence… This is the first trial using an agonist substitution strategy for treatment of cannabis dependence. Dronabinol showed promise, it was well-tolerated, and improved treatment retention and withdrawal symptoms. Future trials might test higher doses, combinations of dronabinol with other medications with complementary mechanisms, or with more potent behavioral interventions.

The agonist substitution strategy has been effective for other substance use disorders, mainly nicotine (nicotine patch, other nicotine replacement products, varenicline) and opioid dependence (methadone, buprenorphine). Therefore, dronabinol, an orally bioavailable synthetic form of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of marijuana acting at the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor, seems a logical candidate medication for cannabis dependence. An ideal agonist medication has low abuse potential, reduces withdrawal symptoms and craving, and decreases the reinforcing effects of the target drug, thereby facilitating abstinence. Dronabinol has been shown to reduce cannabis withdrawal symptoms in laboratory settings among non-treatment seeking cannabis users. Although dronabinol produced modest positive subjective effects among cannabis users in the laboratory, there is little evidence of abuse or diversion of dronabinol in community settings. We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of dronabinol for patients seeking treatment for cannabis dependence. This is, to our knowledge, the largest clinical trial to date to evaluate a pharmacologic intervention for cannabis dependence, and the first to attempt agonist substitution.

.In conclusion, agonist substitution pharmacotherapy with dronabinol, a synthetic form of THC, showed promise for treatment of cannabis dependence, reducing withdrawal symptoms and improving retention in treatment, although it failed to improve abstinence. The trial showed that among adult cannabis-dependent patients, dronabinol was well accepted, with good adherence and few adverse events. Future studies should consider testing higher doses of dronabinol, with longer trial lengths, combining dronabinol with other medications acting through complementary mechanisms or more potent behavioral interventions. Moreover, the field should particularly seek to develop high affinity CB1 partial agonists.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3154755/