LONDON TIMES/ (VIA NRO-THE CORNER):
By the end of the decade one in four new cases of schizophrenia could be triggered by smoking cannabis, scientists say. Research has suggested that regular users of the drug are up to six times more likely to develop schizophrenia, although whether the drug is the direct cause remains disputed.
The Department of Health says it is now generally agreed among doctors that cannabis is an “important causal factor” in mental illness. A study published in the journal Addiction predicts that, if the causal link between cannabis use and schizophrenia is accepted, rates of the illness will increase substantially by 2010, especially among young men.
AND CANNABIS IS NOT CONSIDERED AN ADDICTIVE NARCOTIC.
IMHO: THIS IS A GOOD REASON TO KEEP IT ILLEGAL. LONG-TERM RECREATIONAL USE IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS. THE STATE HAS AN ADDED INTEREST IN REGULATING ITS USE: SCHIZOPHRENICS CAN BE A DANGER AND BURDEN TO THE COMMUNITY.
[ASIDE: I WONDER IF A HIGH PERCENTAGE (NO PUN INTENDED) OF THE TRUTHERS AND BDS AFFLICTED LEFTIES ARE POTHEADS?]
More HERE at NEWS-MEDICAL.NET.
6 comments:
Without seeing the original studies I can not be sure, but another way of looking at is that incipient schizophrenics are more likely to become heavy cannabis users.
I agree with punditarian. Without longitudinal studies these pronouncements are worthless.
Correlation is not causation.
In fact it looks like drug taking is self medication according to many reports I have read.
Since marijuana like tobacco is an anti-depressant the self medication idea is probably the likeliest explanation.
Let me go even farther. The whole idea that drugs cause "addiction" is superstition.
People take the pain relievers appropriate to their pain.
Weak pain: pot.
Strong pain: heroin.
There is absolutely no proof that drugs cause chronic drug use. None. Zero. Zip.
There is lots of evidence that drug use is self medication.
PTSD and the Endocannabinoid System
Marijuana like drug may be helpful in treating schizophrenia.
From the "Marijuana like drug may be helpful in treating schizophrenia." link:
A marijuana-like chemical produced naturally in the brain appears in higher levels in schizophrenics, a recent study of ten mentally ill patients revealed. Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, speculated that the body may be producing higher amounts of the chemical, called anandamide, to fight the disease, the Orange County Register reported.
"Our findings of high levels of anandamide in these patients does indicate that [it] plays an important role in the development of the disease," Daniele Piomelli, an associate professor of pharmacology at UCI, said. He noted that "many schizophrenics smoke marijuana and claim it eases some of their symptoms."
Previous research at UCI found that the brain's nerve cells use anandamide to modify the effects of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is responsible for stimulating movement and other behavior. Scientists believe that excessive dopamine production causes some symptoms of schizophrenia, which affects one percent of the population. Current medication for schizophrenia block dopamine production, but are not always effective and have side effects.
My estimation is that a lot of the lefies suffer from PTSD and similar problems.
It explains their mind set of peace at any price.
I think it would be very helpful if their medication of choice was legal. It would reduce the fear factor from chronic PTSD.
It is all about fear getting embedded in the brain long term. The amygdala is the key.
Courage is hard for people who are always afraid.
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