Do Boomers Myth Marijuana? Science Thinks So

[chrish]

"Reefer Madness", the cultural icon of mindless scare tactics was a film many boomers laughed at for decades. The film's attempt to dramatize the mind-altering affects of marijuana went well beyond the bounds of common sense and logic. Well, decades later, the evidence is in. Critics are now armed with hard data, and the news isn't good.

You might say the myth about marijuana's harmless impact on one's mental state appears to have "gone up in smoke". And this news comes none too soon. The use of marijuana in America seems just as popular as the belief that the drug is neither addictive nor psychologically harmful. Marijuana is a mythed opportunity for many Americans, especially those in the boomer-age category. Take a look.

People who have smoked marijuana daily for many years display more aggressive behavior when they stop smoking the drug, according to a new study by researchers at Harvard Medical School. The study, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, is further evidence that a withdrawal syndrome is associated with abstinence from long-term marijuana use, and suggests that aggressive behavior is part of this syndrome.

Human and animal studies conducted since the early 1970s have suggested the existence of a marijuana withdrawal syndrome, characterized by insomnia, restlessness, loss of appetite, and irritability. "This syndrome, although less dramatic than the withdrawal syndrome associated with alcohol, opiate, or cocaine withdrawal may contribute to relapse among those dependent on marijuana," says NIDA Director Dr. Alan I. Leshner. "People addicted to marijuana may continue to use the drug at least partly to prevent the onset of withdrawal symptoms. Identifying the exact nature of this syndrome is crucial to developing treatment strategies for those attempting to stop their marijuana use."

"Most of the studies that have been published on marijuana withdrawal symptoms in people have relied on self-report," says Dr. Elena Kouri, lead author of the paper. "In these studies, long-term marijuana users report that they feel irritable when they are abstaining from marijuana use, but these studies generally do not involve measurements of aggressive behavior to verify these self-reports. In our study, we demonstrated that long-term marijuana users do, indeed, exhibit more aggressive behavior during the first week of abstinence, and that this aggressive behavior can be measured."

Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States. More than 11 million people have smoked marijuana within the past month, according to the 1997 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Long-term marijuana use can lead to addiction in some people. These marijuana-addicted individuals use the drug compulsively, and this use often interferes with family, school, work, and recreational activities. Individuals with cannabis dependence may also persist in using the drug despite knowing that it causes them physical problems, such as a chronic cough related to smoking, or psychological problems, such as excessive sedation due to high doses.

"Although it is difficult to be certain of the exact prevalence of cannabis addiction in the United States, I can tell you anecdotally that we had no difficulty recruiting dozens of people between the ages of 30 and 55 who have smoked marijuana at least 5,000 times," says Dr. Harrison Pope, Jr., principal investigator of the study. "A simple ad in the paper generated hundreds of phone calls from such people."
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com

[beachguy_inthongs]

Cannabis Research - lungs, bronchial effects, carbon monoxide

Authors
Biglan A, Gallison C, Ary D, Thompson R
Title
Expired air carbon monoxide and saliva thiocyanate: relationships to self-reports of marijuana and cigarette smoking.
Source
Addictive Behaviors
Date
1985
Issue
10(2)
Pages
137-44
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between self-reports of marijuana and cigarette smoking, and the physiological measures of expired air carbon monoxide (CO) and saliva thiocyanate (SCN) in a sample of 1,130 seventh, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders. Subjects who reported marijuana smoking were likely to also report cigarette smoking. The correlation between self-reported marijuana smoking and SCN was negligible. The correlation between CO and self-reported marijuana smoking was statistically significant, but when the variance due to cigarette smoking was removed, this relationship also became negligible. The existence of a sizeable number of marijuana smokers in this sample of adolescents did not alter the correlation between CO and self-reports of cigarette smoking. However, in adult samples, where marijuana and cigarette smoking are less highly correlated, marijuana smoking could affect the relationship between CO and self-reported cigarette smoking. Carbon monoxide predicted self-reported cigarette smoking better than did saliva thiocyanate. There was an interaction between grade and the CO/cigarette smoking correlation. The correlations were generally higher in upper grades.

Authors
Hecht E, Vogt TM
Title
Marijuana smoking: effect on expired air carbon monoxide levels.
Source
International Journal of the Addictions
Date
1985 Feb
Issue
20(2)
Pages
353-61
Abstract
A group of regular marijuana smokers was given expired air carbon monoxide (CO) tests before and after smoking low-dose, high-dose, and placebo marijuana cigarettes. Expired air CO doubled following smoking. There were no significant differences in CO levels in the different dose categories. Studies of the effects of marijuana on the body should attempt to separate effects of the drug from the effects that are secondary to the method of intake.

Authors
Gong H Jr, Tashkin DP, Simmons MS, Calvarese B, Shapiro BJ
Title
Acute and subacute bronchial effects of oral cannabinoids.
Source
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Date
1984 Jan
Issue
35(1)
Pages
26-32
Abstract
The bronchodilating activity of oral cannabinoids was evaluated in three double-blind experiments that involved the study of dose-response and interactive relationships and the potential development of tolerance. Data indicated that delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 8-THC), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabidiol (CBD) in maximal doses of 75 mg, 1200 mg, and 1200 mg, respectively, did not induce significant dose-related physiologic effects in experienced marijuana smokers. delta 8-THC (75 mg) was, however, associated with bronchodilation, tachycardia, and peak highs less than that after delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC). The combinations of CBN and CBD with low-dose delta 9-THC (5 mg) did not induce significant bronchodilation but did exert interactive effects on heart rate and "high." A 20-day study of daily delta 9-THC (20 mg), CBN (600 mg), and CBD (1200 mg) did not indicate tolerance or reverse tolerance to any drug. We conclude that delta 9-THC and, to a lesser extent, delta 8-THC, have acute bronchodilator activity but that CBN, CBD, and their combinations do not provide effective bronchodilation. The daily use of delta 9-THC was not associated with clinical tolerance.

Authors
Hernandez MJ, Martinez F, Blair HT, Miller WC
Title
Airway response to inhaled histamine in asymptomatic long-term marijuana smokers.
Source
Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology
Date
1981 Feb
Issue
67(2)
Pages
153-5
Abstract
Bronchial challenge with histamine was used to assess bronchial reactivity in asymptomatic individuals who were long-term social smokers of marijuana. Their reactivity was compared to that of nonsmokers and asthmatics. Spirometry results were normal in the marijuana users. There was no significant difference in bronchial reactivity between marijuana smokers and nonsmoking controls, whereas the asthmatics demonstrated the expected hyperreactivity. These observations suggest that customary social use of marijuana may not produce abnormalities in airway function detectable by spirometry or bronchoprovocation.

Authors
Slikker W Jr, Paule MG, Ali SF, Scallet AC, Bailey JR
Title
Chronic marijuana smoke exposure in the rhesus monkey. I. Plasma cannabinoid and blood carboxyhemoglobin concentrations and clinical chemistry parameters.
Source
Fundamental & Applied Toxicology
Date
1991 Aug
Issue
17(2)
Pages
321-34
Abstract
This report is the first in a series about a large multidisciplinary study designed to determine whether chronic marijuana (MJ) smoke exposure results in residual behavioral and/or neuropathological alterations in the rhesus monkey. Prior to the initiation of a year of chronic MJ smoke exposure, 64 periadolescent male rhesus monkeys were trained for 1 year to perform five operant behavioral tasks and then divided, according to their performance in these tasks, into four exposure groups (n = 15-16/group): (1) a high dose (HI) group, exposed 7 days/week to the smoke of one standard MJ cigarette; (2) a low dose (LO) group, exposed on weekend days only to the smoke of a standard MJ cigarette; (3) an extracted MJ cigarette (EX) group, exposed 7 days/week to the smoke of one ethanol-extracted MJ cigarette; and (4) a sham group (SH), exposed 7 days/week to sham exposure conditions. Daily exposures for 1 year were accomplished using a mask that covered the subjects' nose and mouth. Average body weights (initially 3.7 +/- 0.5 kg, mean +/- SD) and rates of weight gain (approximately 0.1 kg/month) were the same for all groups throughout the entire experiment. During the first week of exposure, plasma concentrations of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC in the HI group were 59 +/- 7 (mean +/- SE) and 5.5 +/- 1.5 ng/ml, respectively, 45 min after MJ smoke administration and did not change significantly at similar times after exposure throughout the remainder of the year. Whole blood carboxyhemoglobin levels increased to approximately 13% 1 min after exposure to smoke in either the MJ or the EX groups. Comparison of blood chemistry and hematology values before, during, and after exposure indicated no differences for most parameters. During exposure, lymphocytes, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase were depressed in the HI group compared to in the SH group. During exposure, aspartate aminotransferase was elevated for both the HI and EX groups, suggesting a general effect of smoke exposure. Because these effects were transient and remained within the range of reported normal values, these data indicate that long-term, experimental exposure to MJ smoke is feasible and does not compromise the general health of the rhesus monkey.

[beachguy_inthongs]

Authors
Sherman MP, Roth MD, Gong H Jr, Tashkin DP
Title
Marijuana smoking, pulmonary function, and lung macrophage oxidant release.
Source
Pharmacology, Biochemistry & Behavior
Date
1991 Nov
Issue
40(3)
Pages
663-9
Abstract
Pulmonary alveolar macrophages lavaged from tobacco smokers release increased levels of oxidants and have been implicated in the pathophysiology of emphysema. It is unknown whether lung macrophages recovered from marijuana smokers also liberate excessive levels of oxidants. To evaluate this possibility, pulmonary alveolar macrophages were obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage from nonsmokers, smokers of marijuana only, smokers of tobacco only, and smokers of tobacco plus marijuana. Spontaneous and stimulated superoxide anion release was measured by the superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome c. These findings were correlated with recent lung function tests. Superoxide anion production by macrophages, studies of small airway integrity (closing volume, closing capacity, and the slope of Phase III of the single-breath nitrogen washout curve), and evaluation of alveolar gas exchange (diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide) were similar in both nonsmokers and marijuana smokers. However, tobacco smoking was associated with both significantly higher levels of superoxide anion release by pulmonary alveolar macrophages and significant abnormalities of small airway function and alveolar diffusing capacity. Based on the results of this study, pulmonary alveolar macrophages of marijuana-only smokers do not produce increased amounts of oxidants when compared to macrophages of non-smoking subjects. This observation may account for the absence of abnormalities in small airway function and alveolar diffusing capacity in marijuana-only smokers, in contrast to the presence of such findings in smokers of tobacco, regardless of marijuana use.

Id Code
92391787
Authors
Wu HD, Wright RS, Sassoon CS, Tashkin DP
Title
Effects of smoked marijuana of varying potency on ventilatory drive and metabolic rate.
Source
American Review of Respiratory Disease
Date
1992 Sep
Issue
146(3)
Pages
716-21
Abstract
Ventilatory responses to hypercapnia in experienced marijuana smokers have previously been shown to decrease, increase, or not change acutely after marijuana. In one study, minute ventilation (VE) and O2 consumption (VO2) increased but hypoxic ventilatory response did not change after smoking marijuana. We further investigated the effects of marijuana of increasing potency (0, 13, and 20 mg THC) on ventilatory and mouth occlusion pressure (P0.1) responses to hypercapnia and hypoxia in 11 young, healthy men who smoked marijuana regularly but refrained from any smoked substance, alcohol, caffeine, or other drugs for greater than or equal to 12 h before study. Ventilatory and P0.1 responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia were measured on 3 separate days before and 5 and 35 min (hypoxia) and 15 and 45 min (hypercapnia) after smoking. In a companion 3-day study, 12 young male habitual marijuana smokers underwent measurements of VE, VO2, and CO2 production (VCO2) before and 5 to 135 min after smoking marijuana containing 0, 15, or 27 mg THC. None of the active marijuana preparations caused significant changes in ventilatory or P0.1 responses to either hypercapnia or hypoxia or in resting VE, VO2 or VCO2. We conclude that smoking marijuana (13 to 27 mg THC) has no acute effect on central or peripheral ventilatory drive or metabolic rate in habitual marijuana smokers. These conclusions cannot be applied to infrequent users of marijuana without further study.

Authors
- Tashkin DP, Kleerup EC, Hoh CK, Kim KJ, Webber MM, Gil E
Title
- Effects of 'crack' cocaine on pulmonary alveolar permeability.
Language
- Eng
Date
- 1997 Aug
Issue
- 0012-3692
Source
- Chest
Pages
- 327-35
Country
- UNITED STATES
Abstract
- BACKGROUND: Lung clearance of 99mTc-labeled diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) is a sensitive test of altered alveolar epithelial permeability that has been found to be increased in smokers of tobacco, as well as a small number of healthy smokers of crack cocaine, suggesting the possibility of subclinical crack-related lung injury. STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate further whether habitual smoking of cocaine alone alters alveolar permeability, whether crack smoking adds to or potentiates the effects of tobacco and/or marijuana, and whether experimental cocaine smoking acutely alters DTPA lung clearance. DESIGN: Observational cohort study (habitual cocaine smoking) and single-blind crossover study (experimental cocaine administration). SUBJECTS: Fourteen habitual smokers of cocaine alone (CS), 19 smokers of cocaine and tobacco (CTS), 3 smokers of cocaine and marijuana, 12 smokers of cocaine, tobacco, and marijuana (CMTS), and 5 smokers of marijuana plus tobacco (MTS). Results obtained in the crack-smoking subjects were compared with data previously obtained in 10 nonsmokers (NS), 9 smokers of tobacco alone (TS), 10 smokers of marijuana alone (MS), and 4 additional MTS. METHODS: Subjects underwent measurements of DTPA radioaerosol lung clearance after refraining from marijuana and/or cocaine for > 12 h and from tobacco for >2 h. Ten of the 48 crack users were tested on two days 1 to 2 weeks apart within 2 h of experimental smoking of three physiologically active or inactive doses (total 98.8+/- 15.5 or 8.5+/-2.5 mg, respectively) of cocaine base. Lung clearance half-times (T1/2) were computed from time-activity curves for each lung. RESULTS: T1/2 values for each lung in CS and MS were comparable to those of NS, while TS, MTS, CTS, and CMTS had significantly shorter clearance rates than NS (p<0.01; three-way analysis of variance). No additive or interactive effects on T1/2 were noted among tobacco, cocaine, and/or marijuana. No acute effect of experimental cocaine smoking on T1/2 was noted. CONCLUSION: Whereas regular smoking of tobacco alone or with other substances increases alveolar epithelial permeability, habitual smoking of cocaine and/or marijuana has no measurable effect on alveolar permeability in the absence of tobacco nor any additive effect to that of tobacco alone.
Research Institute
- Department of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095- 1690, USA.
Source
- Chest 1997 Aug;112(2):327-35

Authors
- Tashkin DP, Simmons MS, Sherrill DL, Coulson AH
Title
- Heavy habitual marijuana smoking does not cause an accelerated decline in FEV1 with age.
Language
- Eng
Date
- 1997 Jan
Issue
- 1073-449X
Source
- Am J Respir Crit Care Med
Pages
- 141-8
Country
- UNITED STATES
Abstract
- To assess the possible role of daily smoking of marijuana in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), we evaluated the effect of habitual use of marijuana with or without tobacco on the age-related change in lung function (measured as FEV1) in comparison with the effect of nonsmoking and regular tobacco smoking. A convenience sample of 394 healthy young Caucasian adults (68% men; age: 33 +/- 6 yr; mean +/- SD) including, at study entry, 131 heavy, habitual smokers of marijuana alone, 112 smokers of marijuana plus tobacco, 65 regular smokers of tobacco alone, and 86 nonsmokers of either substance were recruited from the greater Los Angeles community. FEV1 was measured in all 394 participants at study entry and in 255 subjects (65 %) on up to six additional occasions at intervals of > or = 1 yr (1.7 +/- 1.1 yr) over a period of 8 yr. Random-effects models were used to estimate mean rates of decline in FEV1 and to compare these rates between smoking groups. Although men showed a significant effect of tobacco on FEV1 decline (p < 0.05), in neither men nor women was marijuana smoking associated with greater declines in FEV1 than was nonsmoking, nor was an additive effect of marijuana and tobacco noted, or a significant relationship found between the number of marijuana cigarettes smoked per day and the rate of decline in FEV1. We conclude that regular tobacco, but not marijuana, smoking is associated with greater annual rates of decline in lung function than is nonsmoking. These findings do not support an association between regular marijuana smoking and chronic COPD but do not exclude the possibility of other adverse respiratory effects.
Research Institute
- Department of Medicine, UCLA Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1690, USA.
Source
- Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1997 Jan;155(1):141-8

[Clauser]

Hello! I want to know, where you have a section for advertising at a forum? Or it is not present? I have not found it.
P.S. Are you see storm in Europe? It's a horror...

[Haul Asp]

There is information on how to advertise under "Advertising". There is also a Classified area if you have something to sell.