Cannabis 'affecting young minds'

[paulnotbilly]

http://news(dot)bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6162217.stm

Cannabis 'affecting young minds'

The effects of the drug on the developing brain are unclear
Half of young people using cannabis suffer side effects such as paranoia and blackouts, a UK survey suggests.

More than 80% of the 727 young people in their teens and early 20s polled by YoungMinds had tried the drug - the vast majority before they were 18.

The charity is calling for urgent research on the effects of cannabis on the developing teenage brain.

It is releasing guidance for young people and professionals on the effects cannabis may have on mental health.

'Vulnerable brains'

Barbara Herts, YoungMinds chief executive, said: "Many young people are experimenting with cannabis from a young age.

"We are extremely concerned that there is still very little known about the effects of cannabis on the developing teenage brain and it is crucial that more studies are carried out in this area."

She said virtually all of the research on both short and longer-term cognitive effects has been conducted on adults.

This is a problem as the young, developing brain could be much more vulnerable to its effects, she explained.

There is evidence that cannabis not only worsens existing mental health problems but may trigger some conditions Martin Barnes DrugScope chief executive

Ms Herts said studies show young people who use cannabis regularly or heavily are at least twice as likely to develop a psychotic mental disorder by young adulthood than those who do not smoke.

Psychosis is a type of mental health problem, which includes conditions like schizophrenia, that can seriously affect the way you think, feel and behave.

She said: "Young people, their parents and the professionals working with them need to understand the issues surrounding cannabis use and the potential dangers to their mental health and wellbeing."

Drug helpline Frank recently launched a TV ad warning young people of the damage cannabis can do to the brain as part of its drugs awareness campaign.

A spokesman said they were particularly targeting 11- to 17-year-olds.

Martin Barnes, chief executive of DrugScope, said: "Although cannabis use has been falling among young people over recent years, and is now at its lowest level for nearly a decade, we cannot be complacent.

"There is evidence that cannabis not only worsens existing mental health problems but may trigger - although the risk is thought to be small - some conditions such as schizophrenia.

"We support calls for more research into the possible long-term effects particularly of drug use among children and young people."

 

[atreides]

Anything in excess is bad for you, however what they should be looking at is the 5 brazillian other things we take normally that cause hormonal and chemical imbalances, for instance let's look at what aspartame does to young minds, or flouride? What about the excessive amounts of MSG in foods? I am not endorsing smoking tree, but let's take a long hard look at non recreational things.

 

[StrangeCaptain]

There is also the perennial question of why people so desperately want relief from reality...

 

[Al Today]

There is also the perennial question of why people so desperately want relief from reality...

Adults or Children?
I think these can give two different answers.
I will discuss my view from the adult perspective.

Perhaps for a vacation, diversion.
I don't know how anyone can stay completely focused and not need rest.
Some go camping.
Some may travel.
Some may stare and watch clouds go by.
Some may play sports.
Some play in the yard.
Some drink beer, wine, booze.
Some smoke pot.
To each their own choice.
(edited: and some cannot handle, control themselves)

Most people will do what they choose to do.
Commen sense cannot be legislated by law.
One may learn the riskes, but the choice remains to the individual.
Take smoking cigarettes for example.
Cigarettes are legal.
Cigarettes generate tax monies for the gubement.
Yet, the gubement says not to smoke.
Now, I think there is some flawed logic...
In a broader perspective, I perceive the usage of FEAR tactics for control increasing.
Please understand.
I'm not condoning anything.
My memmaw(gramma) used to tell me "Too much of anything good is bad."

 

[parry07]

Around 1 in 10 cannabis users have unpleasant experiences, including confusion, hallucinations, anxiety and paranoia. The same person may have either pleasant or unpleasant effects depending on their mood and circumstances. These feelings are usually only temporary – although as the drug can stay in the system for some weeks, the effect can be more long-lasting than users realise. Long-term use can have a depressant effect, reducing motivation.There have also been suggestions that cannabis may interfere with a person's capacity to:

* concentrate
* organise information
* use information

This effect seems to last several weeks after use, which can cause particular problems for students.However, a large study in New Zealand followed up 1265 children for 25 years. It found that cannabis use in adolescence was linked to poor school performance, but that there was no direct connection between the two. It looked as though it was simply because cannabis use encouraged a way of life that didn't help with schoolwork.

 

[Cosmos]

Hi parry07 welcome to the forum :)
we recommend all newbies to post an introduction in the Newbies section of the forum (http://cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?board=39.0) telling a little bit about themselves and how they found the forum.

 

[BadgerTheWise]

Wow here comes the propaganda machine :(

I'm curious as to how many people who make comments about cannabis have tried it? Has anyone here tested it's long term health effects on themselves?

There are literally thousands of reports, websites, books, magazines, essays, articles, and testimonials highlighting the medicinal and spiritual benefits of cannabis.
Do you really trust the BBC to give you an honest and balanced report on Cannabis?

I work in the cannabis industry as a professional, and I know for a fact that cannabis can only potentially be harmful when smoked. If eaten, vaporized, or ingested as a concentrate, it is 100% safe and effective for curing many diseases, and relieving symptoms.

I will also agree 100% that it is no substitute for meditation, but for those who have not reached that level it is a temporary solution.

 

[Bar Kochba]

I have had a lifetime of experience in regards to self-medicating, and my personal experience tells me that any immediate beneficial effect a drug has can be duplicated by natural means. In other words, solid work on the self by means of diet (literal physical diet, spiritual diet, emotional diet, mental diet, etc) can achieve the same results. It just takes longer and requires much effort. This is a society of instant gratification. I like to call it "short attention span theatre."
Drugs do have a place for those who need them (those in extreme pain and bodily distress) but are meant to provide temporary respite so the self can regain composure to fight off whatever is ailing it BY ITSELF.
Otherwise, dependency results.
FWIW

 

[herondancer]

Hi BadgerTheWise,

and welcome. It's customary to introduce yourself on the Newbies board. It doesn't need to be elaborate, just a bit about how you found the Forum. Looking forward to reading it:)

That being said, we don't encourage or condone any sort of illegal drug use here so please refrain from posting further on this particular subject. As a guest in this "house", we would ask that you respect the house rules. It is for the safety and comfort of all who participate here.

I have had a lifetime of experience in regards to self-medicating, and my personal experience tells me that any immediate beneficial effect a drug has can be duplicated by natural means. In other words, solid work on the self by means of diet (literal physical diet, spiritual diet, emotional diet, mental diet, etc) can achieve the same results. It just takes longer and requires much effort. This is a society of instant gratification. I like to call it "short attention span theatre."
Drugs do have a place for those who need them (those in extreme pain and bodily distress) but are meant to provide temporary respite so the self can regain composure to fight off whatever is ailing it BY ITSELF.
Otherwise, dependency results.
FWIW

Bar Kochba has summarized our approach here quite well. There are many healthy, natural ways to achieve the same goals you described, but they are not shortcuts. You can find a lot of information by using the search function. The Diet and Health board and the Eiriu Eolas boards are a good place to start. Have fun!

edit: added material

 

[BadgerTheWise]

Hi BadgerTheWise,

and welcome. It's customary to introduce yourself on the Newbies board. It doesn't need to be elaborate, just a bit about how you found the Forum. Looking forward to reading it:)

That being said, we don't encourage or condone any sort of illegal drug use here so please refrain from posting further on this particular subject. As a guest in this "house", we would ask that you respect the house rules. It is for the safety and comfort of all who participate here.

I have had a lifetime of experience in regards to self-medicating, and my personal experience tells me that any immediate beneficial effect a drug has can be duplicated by natural means. In other words, solid work on the self by means of diet (literal physical diet, spiritual diet, emotional diet, mental diet, etc) can achieve the same results. It just takes longer and requires much effort. This is a society of instant gratification. I like to call it "short attention span theatre."
Drugs do have a place for those who need them (those in extreme pain and bodily distress) but are meant to provide temporary respite so the self can regain composure to fight off whatever is ailing it BY ITSELF.
Otherwise, dependency results.
FWIW

Bar Kochba has summarized our approach here quite well. There are many healthy, natural ways to achieve the same goals you described, but they are not shortcuts. You can find a lot of information by using the search function. The Diet and Health board and the Eiriu Eolas boards are a good place to start. Have fun!

edit: added material

Hello and thank you for the response. I have not taken the opportunity to introduce myself in the introduction thread yet, but I will make sure to do so soon

I don't mean any disrespect here: Cannabis use may be illegal where you are, but it is perfectly legal for medical use in some parts of the world. Smoking cigarettes is illegal in some parts of the world, so will a thread on smoking be closed down? Also then isn't this topic itself in violation of the rules? Cassiopaea has a history of supporting cigarettes which is great IMO, but if Cannabis can be classified as a drug then isn't tobacco a drug as well?

I do think there should be room for discussion and rebuttal on this topic, otherwise misleading information could be posted without a second opinion. Although as I typed that It occured to me that I need to remember to trust that others will do their homework and see through the propaganda and make up their own minds. And it also just occured to me that my original reason for posting a reponse to this thread in the first place is because it is a personal issue for me and I feel defensive. Wow, I have some personal things I can work on tonight :P

Just trying to clear this up, no disrespect intended for anyone. It's not my intention to be disruptive so I will refrain from posting more on this topic.

 

[Alada]

I do think there should be room for discussion and rebuttal on this topic, otherwise misleading information could be posted without a second opinion. Although as I typed that It occured to me that I need to remember to trust that others will do their homework and see through the propaganda and make up their own minds. And it also just occured to me that my original reason for posting a reponse to this thread in the first place is because it is a personal issue for me and I feel defensive. Wow, I have some personal things I can work on tonight :P

Consider also that it's maybe a question of what we choose to 'bind to' in life. If we wish to bind with the objective reality, with truth, or with counterfeits and partial truths?

The idea of chemicals 'binding' in the brain, like a key in a lock, can be taken on many scales. When we choose to 'bind' with certain keys - and that can be metaphorical as well as literal - maybe this can affect our ability to bind with others? As Bar Kochba mentioned, effects can be duplicated by natural means, but it is not so easy. The receptor sites in the brain are there, think about it, what are they there for?

In the context of a 'modern western lifestyle' where there is little else to show the way, well meaning folk are easily diverted toward the subjective path, to imitations. There may be no long term health effects, I don't know, but isn't that besides the point? Is there any evidence that such things help a person to actually evolve or merely to dream that they are evolving? If the former is the case which I think is, then you have to ask, in the wider context, 'who benefits'?

 

[Cosmos]

Wow here comes the propaganda machine :(

I'm curious as to how many people who make comments about cannabis have tried it? Has anyone here tested it's long term health effects on themselves?

There are literally thousands of reports, websites, books, magazines, essays, articles, and testimonials highlighting the medicinal and spiritual benefits of cannabis.
Do you really trust the BBC to give you an honest and balanced report on Cannabis?

I work in the cannabis industry as a professional, and I know for a fact that cannabis can only potentially be harmful when smoked. If eaten, vaporized, or ingested as a concentrate, it is 100% safe and effective for curing many diseases, and relieving symptoms.

I will also agree 100% that it is no substitute for meditation, but for those who have not reached that level it is a temporary solution.

where is the data to support your claims ?

I tell you a little bit about my own expierience with cannabis:

every time I smoked it I got really anxious, paranoia and felt very bad.
my memories were really bad. and when I smoked it my memories were so bad that I almost forgot everything
I currently did. my ability to concentrate on something was extremely (!!!!!) bad especially while smoking.
I think somebody who would saw me at this point would have thought that I must have Alzheimer.

Edit: spelling

 

[anart]

I don't mean any disrespect here:

Yet you ARE being disrespectful. Either abide by the forum rules or find another forum on which you can write all you want about whatever you want.

 

[Al Today]

I'm curious as to how many people who make comments about cannabis have tried it? Has anyone here tested it's long term health effects on themselves?

Geeze dude. Read the rules.

 

[BadgerTheWise]

My apologies everyone I approached this thread with the wrong attitude, I will do my best to be more considerate in future posts.

Thank you for your patience