[ Posted on 9:09pm Apr 30 2007 by NeroAnima ]
Scientists have shown how cannabis may trigger psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia.
Thousands are thought to be dependent on cannabis
A King's College London team gave healthy volunteers the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
They then recorded reduced activity in an area of the brain which keeps inappropriate thoughts at bay.
THC levels are thought to have doubled in street cannabis in recent years - at the expense of other ingredients which may have a beneficial effect.
A separate study has shown that one of these ingredients - cannabidiol (CBD) - has the potential to dampen down psychotic symptoms, and could form the basis of new treatments.
The research will be discussed at a conference on the impact of cannabis use to be held at the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College this week.
Dependency
Although figures are not kept, it is estimated that as many as 500,000 people in the UK may be dependent on cannabis.
Increasing numbers of people are seeking help for cannabis problems at specialist clinics. In 2005, only heroin users accounted for a greater proportion of patients.
Experts are concerned that street cannabis is becoming increasingly potent. It is thought that average THC content has risen from 6% to 12% in recent years.
The Institute of Psychiatry study gave THC, CBD or placebo capsules to adult male volunteers who had not abused cannabis.
They then carried out brain scans, and a battery of tests, and found that those who took THC showed reduced activity in an area of the brain called the inferior frontal cortex, which keeps inappropriate thoughts and behaviour, such as swearing and paranoia in check.
The effects were short-lived, but some people appeared more vulnerable than others.
In a second study, a team from Yale University administered THC intravenously.
Even at relatively low doses, they found 50% of healthy volunteers began to show symptoms of psychosis.
Volunteers who already had a history of psychotic symptoms appeared to be particularly vulnerable
Side effects
A third study, by the University of Cologne, compared the effect of CBD and a commonly used anti-psychotic medicine, Amisulpride, on 42 patients with a history of schizophrenia.
After four weeks both groups showed a reduction in psychotic symptoms, but the CBD group were less prone to side effects, such as muscle stiffness and weight gain.
The researchers warned that THC and CBD compete with each other biochemically, so a rise in THC levels would blunt any positive impact of CBD.
Professor Robin Murray, a consultant psychiatrist at the Institute of Psychiatry, said the research provided the strongest evidence that cannabis had a significant impact on the brain.
He said proving a long-term effect was extremely difficult, as it was not ethical or feasible to stimulate long-term psychosis in volunteers.
However, he said: "If something has an active effect in inducing the symptoms of psychosis after one dose, then it would not be at all surprising if repeated use induced the chronic condition."
Professor Murray also warned that the high potency cannabis now widely available was likely to pose a much bigger risk to health than the significantly weaker formulations of previous years.
"It is similar to comparing the effect of drinking a glass of wine at the weekend with drinking a bottle of vodka every day."
Marjorie Wallace, of the mental health charity Sane, called the research a "significant contribution" to the understanding of the dangers of cannabis.
"Sane has been saying for years that there is a link between psychosis and the drug, particularly in its more potent forms.
"We strongly urge the government to heed the growing evidence and take urgent action to warn young people that some of them are risking lifelong mental illness - that they are playing Russian roulette with their minds."
SOURCE: BBC --- "Cannabis 'disrupts brain ce...re'" has been viewed  times ---
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| haha | [quote] | | » posted by: MotleyFiend · date: 6:01pm Jun 26 2007 | rated: N/A | | |
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i dont think its all that bad...im not uber crazy, im just calm hahahaha....psychosis tee heee, only if its laced....~~~~~~~~~~
~Love, MotleyFiend
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| untitled | [quote] | | » posted by: Jayden · date: 7:37am May 24 2007 | rated: N/A | | |
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Eh.. they act as if this is new or something? It doesnt take a scientist to live with someone and realize the difference in their attitude and life when they are on drugs. Its a difficult thing to dispute.. as those who are on the "anti" side say that the drug causes all sorts of ill behaviors and harsh physical affects. Though those on the "pro" side will counter with the simple fact that drugs such as caffeine and nicotine which are legal cause just as much damage if not more. Though in my personal opinion, if legalized and left to a matter of choice, I think it would have rather negative effects on the world at large.~~~~~~~~~~
"Soft as faded memory, each night I hear her call to me, of love and pain, deep regret, in hope of dreams, that may forget." ~J. M.
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| untitled | [quote] | | » posted by: Lev · date: 2:56pm May 01 2007 | rated: N/A | | |
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of course it's true, but they say it like becoming psychotic is a "bad thing".
sheeesh~~~~~~~~~~
The problem with the world is that the fanatics are so arrogantly sure of themselves, while the open-minded individual remains filled with doubts.
levlive.com
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| hehehe!!!! | [quote] | | » posted by: guest (194.216.125.5) · date: 1:09pm May 01 2007 | rated: N/A | | |
i wanna spliff. no actually, i want a lot of spliffs, to take me to the land of pink fluffy zebra's who keep the me in black away and stop me killing my friends.~~~~~~~~~~
Science - the art of proving everything - Revised OED (2007) by Lord Nemo
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| untitled | [quote] | | » posted by: Necromaster · date: 6:42am May 01 2007 | rated: N/A | | |
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Weed makes you mentally ill kids. don't do drugs.
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