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Marijuana - What's the harm you ask?

I've gotten this question a number of times, what's the harm of smoking pot? Many people say that it's not addictive and it can't be any worse than cigarettes, so why is it illegal. I'm not a politician or a judge so I'm not going there.

But I will talk about the health implications. We know for a fact now that when we breath in noxious fumes or smoke, this causes damage to our lungs. Not only that, but the toxins in the smoke is carried into our body through various organs including the kidneys & liver. These are more commonly known consequences associated with smoking marijuana.

Few people know of the other potential consequences, namely that marijuana increases the risk of developing schizophrenia & psychosis. Schizophrenia is a condition where by one experiences hallucinations and delusions. Cannabis use nearly doubles the risk of psychosis especially if one starts early. Heavy use before 16 years of age can quadruple ones risk.

There is a misperception that marijuana, the drug of choice of the "flower-power" generation in the ninety-sixties is a harmless drug. What people don't realize is that modern marijuana does not resemble the pot of the 1960s. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) the active ingredient in marijuana that produces the psychedelic effects was in the 1-3% range in the 1960s. Now, plants seized from illegal grow-ops have staggering amounts of THC in the range of 18-25%. THC increases dopamine levels in the brain which heightens awareness. This extra awareness can lead some to perceive things that aren't happening, hence the hallucinations.

Marijuana plants naturally contain a compound called cannabidiol (CBD) that buffers the actions of THC - much like green tea has theanine, which buffers caffeine's actions - but this too is being bred out making today's pot that much more potent.

Now, most people who smoke marijuana don't end up with psycosis, but there are segments of the population for reasons not yet known are more susceptible. What researchers do agree on is that there are certain risk factors marijuana smokers need to be aware of.

Risk Factors
- Family History of psychosis & schizophrenia
- Use of other drugs like cocaine or crystal meth.
- Living in an urban area.

This last risk factor is a strange one. I'm guessing that urban folks have more access to these drugs so that may be the reason, though I'm not sure if researchers accounted for this in there statistical analyses. Those who have a family history of mental disorders may want to think twice before lighting up next time.

Teens are the most prevalent users of marijuana and a teenager's brain is still actively trying to sort itself out. This may be why psychosis risks are greater for early users of marijuana.

There are medicinal benefits to marijuana and many years ago when I worked in a clinic that treated HIV/AIDs patients, I saw tremendous improvements in appetite, weight gain and pain management in some of my patients. But I would just like to caution those who are under the impression that this drug is without any negative side effects.


Yours in health,

Ian Koo, ND
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Essentials Health Centre
"The care you want, the health you need"

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Those negatives sound pretty damn mild compared to prescription drugs, which include death as possible side effect

Unknown said...

Those negatives sound pretty damn mild compared to prescription drugs, which include death as possible side effect