Tag Archives: marijuana

Pot Smoke Less Harmful Than Thought – ABCNews

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 “Occasional marijuana use does not appear to have long-term adverse effects on lung function, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and University of California at San Francisco analyzed marijuana and tobacco use among 5,000 black and white men from the national database, CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study), which was intended to determine heart disease risk factors over a 20-year period.

Measuring participants’ lung function for air flow and lung volume five times throughout the study period, the researchers found that cigarette smokers saw lung function worsen throughout the 20-year period, but marijuana smokers did not. Only the heaviest pot smokers (more than 20 joints per month) showed decreased lung function throughout the study.

“The more typical amounts of marijuana use among Americans are occasional or low levels,” said Dr. Stefan Kertesz, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and principle investigator of the study. “From the standpoint of being a scientist, these data suggest that low and moderate range use of marijuana do not do long-term harm.””

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/smoking-pot-harm-lung-function-time/story?id=15331989

Study: Smoking Marijuana Does Not Harm Lungs – CBS

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 “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

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“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

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“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

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“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

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“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

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“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.

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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.

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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.

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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/