Psychology The effects of alcohol and other drugs

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Plenty of debate and research into this topic so probably worthy of a thread.

A couple of recent papers:

Binge Drinking in Young University Students Is Associated with Alterations in Executive Functions Related to Their Starting Age

Our aim was to evaluate whether or not alcohol consumption in the form of binge drinking is associated with alterations of memory and executive functions in a population of university students. At the same time, we have studied the role of potential modulating factors, such as the APOE genotype or physical exercise.University students enrolled in academic year 2013–2014 at Escuelas Universitarias Gimbernat-Cantabria, affiliated with the University of Cantabria, were invited to participate in the study. We gathered sociodemographic data and details regarding the lifestyle of 206 students (mean age 19.55 ± 2.39; 67.5% women). We evaluated memory and executive functions via a series of validated cognitive tests. Participants were classified as binge drinkers (BD) and non-BD. Using Student’s t-distribution we studied the association between cognitive tests and BD patterns. Multivariate analyses were carried out via multiple linear regression. 47.6% of the students were found to be BD. The BD differed significantly from the non-BD in their results in the executive functions test TMT B (43.41 ± 13.30 vs 37.40 ± 9.77; p = 0.0003). Adjusting by age, sex, academic records, age at which they started consuming alcohol, cannabis consumption, level of physical activity and other possible modifying variables, the association was statistically significant (p = 0.009). We noticed a statistically significant inverse correlation (Pearson’s r 2 = -0.192; p = 0.007) between TMT B and starting age of alcohol consumption. Differences were observed in another executive functions test, TMT A, but only in the group of women (19.73±6.1 BD vs 17.78±5.4 non-BD p = 0.05). In spite of the young age of our participants, BD was associated with a lower performance in the executive functions test (TMT B). These deficits were related to the age at which they started drinking alcohol, suggesting an accumulative effect.

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0166834&type=printable


Marijuana users have low blood flow to the brain

Marijuana users have abnormally low blood flow in virtually every part of the brain, new scans reveal.

Sophisticated imaging of 1,000 cannabis users' brains found all of them had widespread restrictions or build-ups of blood flow.

Many had abnormal blood levels in areas affected by Alzheimer's disease, such as the hippocampus.

http://thescienceexplorer.com/brain...-flow-brain-suggesting-higher-alzheimers-risk

Full paper: http://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad160833

 

[SizeMatters]

Weed is harmless

Had enough experience with it in my life from family members to say otherwise.

 

[jenny61_99]

As with most things, the affect of alcohol and drugs on our bodies depends on our genes and our pre-disposition to diseases. There are many thousands of alzheimers and dementia sufferers today (for example) that weren't either chuffers or lushes. However they did have things like Bex and Vincents powders by the truck load. Their diets were also generally poor during the depression (their formative years) and years immediately following. There is also some interesting research about that discusses the evidence of various metals in brain tissues of dementia patients. This is not to say that these things won't contribute to dementia in the next generation (in which case, I'm stuffed!) but I don't believe it is as simple an issue as that.

 

[2006_Eagles]

Weed is harmless

Had enough experience with it in my life from family members to say otherwise.

Heavy users? Heavy usage of anything in life is going to cause problems.

 

[Run n Spread]

Yes all very harmful. But the key thing is the combination. A lot of AFL players/cricketers/elite athletes etc are heavy drinkers but it is balanced by healthy diet and training.

Alternatively couch potato teetotallers who gorge on sugar and fat are at a higher risk.

Or the occasional professional drug user vs the street addict with all the lifestyle factors.

Besides from very few substances the body can process most things. It is the cumulative effect that matters.

 

[Toump Ass]

Weed is harmless

Had enough experience with it in my life from family members to say otherwise.

Of course weed is harmless- unless you're an idiot, in which case, weed isn't going to make you not an idiot.

Alcohol devastates communities but that doesn't mean the average person who has a glass of wine or a beer after work has a problem.

Moderation is key, and if you're not able to moderate yourself, the problem is you- not the substance.

 

[little graham]

Marijuana users have low blood flow to the brain

http://thescienceexplorer.com/brain...-flow-brain-suggesting-higher-alzheimers-risk

Full paper: http://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad160833

it's astounding that you would only reference one paper on the effects of marijuana on the brain.

Why didn't you post studies on marijuana curing epilepsy in children?

Why would you ignore the clear science cannabis actually causes brain cells to grow?

In 2004, researchers found that cannabis alters genes that produce a compound known as VEGF. VEGF stands for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor. This compound helps grow new blood vessels.

http://herb.co/2016/07/01/cannabis-treat-brain-cancer/

What about cannabis for PTSD, depression and anxiety? You ignored that.

Why do you say it cause al siemers and ignore all the evidence to the contrary?

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

it's astounding that you would only reference one paper on the effects of marijuana on the brain.

Why didn't you post studies on marijuana curing epilepsy in children?

Why would you ignore the clear science cannabis actually causes brain cells to grow?


http://herb.co/2016/07/01/cannabis-treat-brain-cancer/

What about cannabis for PTSD, depression and anxiety? You ignored that.

Why do you say it cause al siemers and ignore all the evidence to the contrary?

1) As stated in the OP, I grabbed two recent papers that I'd come across. It's a starting point for a discussion thread, not a collection of every paper ever peer reviewed. Feel free to post alternatives without the aggression and assumptions.

2) Please direct me to where I gave my opinion on the matter, at all. Here's a hint: I didn't. I actually think there is a growing wealth of literature suggesting that it may in fact have medicinal effects, but that doesn't preclude me from considering alternative arguments such as those in the OP.

 

[jenny61_99]

it's astounding that you would only reference one paper on the effects of marijuana on the brain.

Why didn't you post studies on marijuana curing epilepsy in children?

Why would you ignore the clear science cannabis actually causes brain cells to grow?


http://herb.co/2016/07/01/cannabis-treat-brain-cancer/

What about cannabis for PTSD, depression and anxiety? You ignored that.

Why do you say it cause al siemers and ignore all the evidence to the contrary?

It's not marijuana that cures epilepsy, however it is cannabidiol oil that reduces seizures, also has similar effects on Parkinson's sufferers. It isn't a cure but it is a great reliever. Also used in terminal patients. The oil does not contain THC - the substance that creates a high that you get in pot so it is not comparing apples with apples.

 

[little graham]

As with most things, the affect of alcohol and drugs on our bodies depends on our genes and our pre-disposition to diseases. There are many thousands of alzheimers and dementia sufferers today (for example) that weren't either chuffers or lushes. However they did have things like Bex and Vincents powders by the truck load. Their diets were also generally poor during the depression (their formative years) and years immediately following. There is also some interesting research about that discusses the evidence of various metals in brain tissues of dementia patients. This is not to say that these things won't contribute to dementia in the next generation (in which case, I'm stuffed!) but I don't believe it is as simple an issue as that.

You sound like you think you're an expert on al siemers but it would appear not. The Op is claiming that al siemers is heavily linked to cannabis. That is tin foil hat stuff and you should know.

http://www.alzheimers.net/6-15-15-effects-of-medical-marijuana-on-alzheimers/

A preclinical study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that very small doses of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a chemical found in marijuana, can slow the production of beta-amyloid proteins, thought to be a hallmark characteristic and key contributor to the progression of Alzheimer’s.

Another study from the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California has also found that tetrahydrocannabinol and other compounds found in marijuana may reduce the amount of beta amyloid in the brain. Beta amyloid is a hallmark characteristic of Alzheimer’s and is commonly thought to cause the neurodegenerative disease.

Inflammation within the brain is a major component of the damage associated with Alzheimer’s disease, but it has always been assumed that this response was coming from immune-like cells in the brain, not the nerve cells themselves. When we were able to identify the molecular basis of the inflammatory response to amyloid beta, it became clear that THC-like compounds that the nerve cells make themselves may be involved in protecting the cells from dying.”

The science is pretty clear what cannabis does to cells throughout the whole body.

http://www.truthonpot.com/2013/07/13/scientists-discover-another-way-marijuana-helps-the-brain-grow/

Dutch scientists found two studies showing THC is useful in treating the behavioral symptoms of dementia. Similarly, a very small 2016 study of 11 participants found THC helped decrease symptoms of delusions, agitation or aggression, irritability, apathy and sleep in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/25/health/alzheimers-medical-marijuana/

I don't know about you but common sense and logic tells me they're some pretty darn amazing effects on the brain. Any educated rational person posting in this thread, would know about.

This is the age of information, ignorance is a choice.

 

[little graham]

Medical marijuana has been used for centuries to treat depression and other medical conditions. More than 400 years ago, cannabis was used to treat depression in India and has since been studied and analyzed to determine the medical benefits and disadvantages for patients

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the cannabis compound that has found to have significant benefits for treating people with anxiety. CBD-rich cannabis can be treated for patients seeking anti-inflammatory, anti-pain, anti-anxiety and anti-spasm affects

The other popular compound to treat medical conditions is tetrahydrocannibinol, or THC, and can be used to relax muscles, reduce inflammation, reduce seizures stimulate appetite, lower blood pressure and is an anti-depressant.

http://www.anxietysocialnet.com/anxiety-and-medical-marijuana

Most medical marijuana plants are bread to be high in levels of THC, because it is commonly used to treat more popular health conditions, such as cancer, eating disorders and seizure disorders

What an astounding effect on the brain curing cancer could have...

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Let me be very clear here. I love that we're getting views from both sides and think the papers listed provide some interesting food for thought. If you continue to lambast and belittle alternative views and posters that may not agree, though, your time here will be brief.

 

[jenny61_99]

You sound like you think you're an expert on al siemers but it would appear not. The Op is claiming that al siemers is heavily linked to cannabis. That is tin foil hat stuff and you should know.

http://www.alzheimers.net/6-15-15-effects-of-medical-marijuana-on-alzheimers/







The science is pretty clear what cannabis does to cells throughout the whole body.

http://www.truthonpot.com/2013/07/13/scientists-discover-another-way-marijuana-helps-the-brain-grow/



http://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/25/health/alzheimers-medical-marijuana/

I don't know about you but common sense and logic tells me they're some pretty darn amazing effects on the brain. Any educated rational person posting in this thread, would know about.

This is the age of information, ignorance is a choice.

I'm wondering why you chose my post to argue against, when it's not relevant to your argument? I also wonder if you realise the difference between smoking joints and medicinal cannibis, because it's not clear to me that you do.

 

[jenny61_99]

I might also add that pre clinical trials that "may" reduce the amount of beta amyloid in the brain are not conclusive. It shows positive signs in early testing. Unfortunately many drugs fail at the next hurdle.

 

[Long Live HFC]

You sound like you think you're an expert on al siemers but it would appear not. The Op is claiming that al siemers is heavily linked to cannabis. That is tin foil hat stuff and you should know.

you can call me Al!

 

[SizeMatters]

I'm all for oils etc. but those who justify sucking off a bong saying it's good for you are only doing it for the THC high. Cannabidiol oil and in pill form with the THC taken out will hopefully be brought forward soon as a legal substance. THC affects the body and tests have proven that reaction time and judgement are inhibited and because of this it is illegal to drive around while stoned...

 

[Gralin]

I'm all for oils etc. but those who justify sucking off a bong saying it's good for you are only doing it for the THC high. Cannabidiol oil and in pill form with the THC taken out will hopefully be brought forward soon as a legal substance. THC affects the body and tests have proven that reaction time and judgement are inhibited and because of this it is illegal to drive around while stoned...

Driving while drunk is also illegal but drinking isn't.
Too much caffeine can do nasty things to people.
We have a lot of drugs out there that fall on different sides of the law without really being that different as far as impact on the mind body overall.

Lots of things sold legally are bad for you. Lots of people use an article or comment on the possible health benefits of a substance to binge it.

How many people say wine is good for you before or during smashing a bottle or two of it.

 

[BomberThom]

"Moreover, the findings are the first to use images of the brain to demonstrate that the reason symptoms of psychosis arise in marijuana users may be because THC interferes with the brain's ability to distinguish between stimuli that are important, and those that aren't, according to the study."
http://www.livescience.com/17707-marijuana-thc-brain-psychosis.html

Weed is harmless
Had enough experience with it in my life from family members to say otherwise.

 

[Aeglos]

"Moreover, the findings are the first to use images of the brain to demonstrate that the reason symptoms of psychosis arise in marijuana users may be because THC interferes with the brain's ability to distinguish between stimuli that are important, and those that aren't, according to the study."
http://www.livescience.com/17707-marijuana-thc-brain-psychosis.html

I really hate reading raw research data (and I wouldn't consider myself smart enough to understand most neuroscience anyway), but it would be interesting to see what sort of correlation there is between consumption amount and brain interference as well as variance between individuals
My ex-gfs mum was a fairly heavy user (lived in Nimbin so understandable) and ended up with schizophrenia but I'm loath to draw a direct link between the 2 based solely on that information

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

I really hate reading raw research data (and I wouldn't consider myself smart enough to understand most neuroscience anyway), but it would be interesting to see what sort of correlation there is between consumption amount and brain interference as well as variance between individuals
My ex-gfs mum was a fairly heavy user (lived in Nimbin so understandable) and ended up with schizophrenia but I'm loath to draw a direct link between the 2 based solely on that information

I think there's a fair bit of research suggesting that the use of cannabis can increase your susceptibility to a variety of disorders, schizophrenia included, but "cause" is a bit of a stretch based on the research I've seen.

Marijuana's more intriguing than a lot of other drugs in this sense - growing evidence that it can be medicinal and ease or even cure a variety of issues, alongside a wealth of literature correlating its use with the prevalence of other disorders.

It's going to be really interesting to review the data in countries where it has been legalised in a few decades.

 

[SizeMatters]

I really hate reading raw research data (and I wouldn't consider myself smart enough to understand most neuroscience anyway), but it would be interesting to see what sort of correlation there is between consumption amount and brain interference as well as variance between individuals
My ex-gfs mum was a fairly heavy user (lived in Nimbin so understandable) and ended up with schizophrenia but I'm loath to draw a direct link between the 2 based solely on that information

Most my family on both sides smoke weed (grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins) and they suffer all sorts of mental problems such as schizophrenia, and bi-polar disorders. They think it's genetic (being aboriginal causes this apparently... ) or keep telling themselves that which is bullshit considering the ones who don't indulge in weed (my parents and siblings as well as great grandparents on both sides) are all perfectly fine. You can definitely see the difference between those who smoke and those who don't.

 

[BomberThom]

So may variables, but illicit drugs are illegal because of the permanent psychological impacts they can have.
Alcohol has very limited psychosis impacts. If I had my way, Id ban alcohol. So just waiting for that argument, but if legalisation of crack takes us to the same levels of consumption of alcohol, we will need some sort of martial law to police the joint.

In the case of marijuana, criminalisation has not worked, but neither will legalisation.
You want legalisation of marijuana, we can legalise marijuana and go to a US model of health care where you buy your own health care policy. Tick the box thats says" I smoke marijuana" and pay a hefty premium to smoke THC.
In the meantime we have a socialistic health care system covered by the taxpayer with a duty of care.

I really hate reading raw research data (and I wouldn't consider myself smart enough to understand most neuroscience anyway), but it would be interesting to see what sort of correlation there is between consumption amount and brain interference as well as variance between individuals
My ex-gfs mum was a fairly heavy user (lived in Nimbin so understandable) and ended up with schizophrenia but I'm loath to draw a direct link between the 2 based solely on that information

 

[BomberThom]

Actually I would like to see a permit for consumption of alcohol. If you are a Friday *******, they take your alcohol permit off you. You drink alcohol without a permit, do not pass go, do not collect $200. We have the technology now to manage home detention etc.

Alcohol permits should be revoked for most things with varying time limits. Watch how fricken fast people pull their heads in when they cant drink alcohol.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

With respect BomberThom this is getting a little too far into SRP board territory. Try to keep the discussion to the effects of alcohol/drugs and the issue of legality to other boards.

 

[BomberThom]

Alcoholics wake up in cold sweats through the night. The whole abuse of alcohol leads to a myriad of psychological problems. Alcoholics are trying to self medicate the very substance that causes all the issues. Licence demerit to drink would solve many of the issues we have with mental illness and substance abuse today.

Illicit substances are psychoactive drugs with common permanent psychosis. That is why they are illegal.

Ben Cousins - I win!!! TIC There is no winning - just suffering.