Saturday 15 November 2014

A new article based on recent research, which suggests that smoking Marijuana can shrink the brain.

http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-regular-marijuana-shrinks-brain-20141110-story.html

Friday 7 November 2014

Schizophrenia:

BBC Horizon: Cannabis the Evil Weed?

Horizon Cannabis documentary: (2009).

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL76905E4254F27FCA

Cannabis: An Apology:-

(March 18th, 2007) Cannabis: An apology:-
http://www.independent.co.uk/…/cannabis-an-apology-440730.h…
The above has a few links of interest. One in particular states that "Research to be published in this week's Lancet will show how cannabis is more dangerous than LSD and ecstasy."
(Taken from: Skunk: How the 'safe' drug of choice for the hippy generation became a serious health hazard)

Below features the most recent study and the article is from earlier this week.
(December 7th, 2009) Cannabis: we can see clearly now:- http://www.independent.ie/…/cannabis-we-can-see-clearly-now…

The results of the above research are controversial, and not accepted by all, (some see it as incomplete and subjective), but personally I feel that it may act as a most helpful deterrent to those with the usual blase attitudes, that we see towards Cannabis.

(I say this even though it will be better of course if the conclusions are wrong!)

Driving Whilst Under the Influence of Cannabis.

I have supplied a few links below of interesting articles, relating to the effects of 'driving' whilst under the influence of Cannabis.
There are 2 articles from 2000 and another 2 from 2005. What is interesting is the tone of the articles go from being quite sympathetic in 2000 and stating that it is safer (maybe much) than being under the influence of alcohol, whilst the 2005 links paint a different picture!

The (2nd) December 2005 article is particular damning. This states that even a low amount of cannabis can make a person on average 89% more likely to have an accident, whilst high levels triple the chances of this!!

It just shows how there is a need for further information and that blase attitudes regarding the drug, can be very dangerous!
This echos the recent information regarding Skunk, i,e, the drug taken as a whole can be a lot more harmful than many are lead to believe!

Please see:-

(2000):- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1068625.stm

(2000/2001):- http://www.idmu.co.uk/candrivab.htm

June (2005):-
http://druginfo.adf.ddsn.net/…/cannabi…/cannabisdriving.html

December (2005):-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/…/Driving-while-high-on-cannabis…

Regards,

Mark.

Cannabis brings on psychotic illness up to three years earlier in mentally ill.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1354589/Cannabis-brings-psychotic-illness-years-earlier-mentally-ill.html

I thought that I would share this article, which claims that cannabis has been shown to bring on mental-illness 3 years earlier than it would have done otherwise!
This area is admittedly complicated and I'm now wondering if we shall ever really be able to assess it's effects relating to psychosis and other illnesses, as there are many schools of thought that contradict.
But it's interesting none-the-less and shall hopefully tell us something.

A Personal Account - Henry.

It is quite a positive story as Henry appears to have good insight into his condition and is challenging this with his writing and most importantly is educating people about the struggles and reality of mental-illness.

It is very refreshing that he acknowledges that their may be a link between cannabis and schizophrenia, even though he doesn't feel this probably applies to himself. His writings can help people make informed decisions in this area!

Sharing this type of data is probably the most productive thing a group like this can achieve. It beats using statistics/findings as evidence, (which by their very nature are inconclusive) and adds a personal touch that many can identify with

Henry Cockburn and his father Patrick, a former war correspondent from Canterbury, have been talking about Henry's use of cannabis and his subsequent schizophrenia.

Henry Cockburn describes living with schizophrenia

Henry's schizophrenia was diagnosed in 2002

Henry Cockburn and his father Patrick, a former war correspondent from Canterbury, have been talking about Henry's use of cannabis and his subsequent schizophrenia.
Patrick Cockburn and Henry have written the book, Henry's Demons, about how Henry and the rest of the family dealt with his condition.

I got to see a side of the world that lots of people don't see

Henry Cockburn

In early 2002, Henry was rescued from the estuary at Newhaven. He had swum in it fully clothed and almost died of hypothermia.
He had previously been detained by police after attempting to jump off a bridge in Brighton.

"I thought I was special"

Henry described how he also talked to trees and had visions of Buddha in the sky.
Henry said: "I thought I was special and I got to see a side of the world that lots of people don't see."
"I saw my schizophrenia more as an awakening. It was when I gave up tobacco and marijuana that I started having these experiences."
Patrick said that the level understanding of what is going on in the brains of people with mental illness is comparable with what was known about physical illness about 100 years ago.

Cannabis and schizophrenia

The link between schizophrenia and the use of cannabis, especially at a young age, is argued by many scientists and psychologists, although scientific proof is difficult to obtain.

It's a bit like playing Russian roulette.

Marjorie Wallace, SANE

Marjorie Wallace is the Chief Executive of the mental health charity, SANE.
She said: "We are very concerned with the link between cannabis and mental health problems."
"The problem with the links between cannabis and mental illness is that there has been no proven cause. What we do know is that it can trigger psychotic symptoms...and those experiences may carry on and they may have repeated incidents and develop a long lasting illness such as schizophrenia.

Patrick Cockburn was in Afghanistan when he heard his son was ill

"We don't know who is vulnerable and who isn't. It's a bit like playing Russian roulette."
Henry does not see the link between smoking weed and skunk and his schizophrenia but he said that smoking cannabis is not a good thing. "You don't grow up, you stay the same age".
"What is really important is that people who do take it know that there is a chance that they may have this total mental breakdown." said Patrick.

"I enjoy writing"

Henry said that his life seems to be on an even keel since writing the book.
"It's been nourishing, and I enjoy writing. It's an opportunity I didn't take likely, and I'm glad I got the opportunity", he said.
"I hope that my story aids people, that it gives people a different angle on mental illness. A lot of people don't know anything about mental illness, and a lot of people feel forgotten."
Patrick said: "It would be good thing if people understood what happens with schizophrenia. You can get through it, and I think we have, so far."

http://phys.org/news/2011-03-cannabis-onset-psychotic-symptoms-young.html

Cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood increases the risk of psychotic symptoms, while continued cannabis use may increase the risk for psychotic disorder in later life, concludes a new study published in the British Medical Journal.

Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the world, particularly among adolescents, and is consistently linked with an increased risk for mental illness. However, it is not clear whether the link between cannabis and psychosis is causal, or whether it is because people with psychosis use cannabis to self medicate their symptoms.
So a team of researchers, led by Professor Jim van Os from Maastricht University in the Netherlands, set out to investigate the association between cannabis use and the incidence and persistence of psychotic symptoms over 10 years.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2011-03-cannabis-onset-psychotic-symptoms-young.html#jCp

Psychosis with coexisting substance misuse: Assessment and management in adults and young people.

This article isn't specifically about Cannabis/Marijuana but discusses:
"advice on the assessment and management of people with psychosis and coexisting substance misuse. Psychosis is a condition that affects a person’s mental state, including their thoughts, mood and behaviour. The symptoms of psychosis are: hallucinations ..."

http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG120

Smoking A Joint Could Ruin Your Carbon Footprint.

I thought I'd share this, as it comes from things via an unusual angle:

http://www.care2.com/…/marijuana-use-responsible-for-1-of-…/

Here is an article claiming that Cannabis/Marijuana causes a lack of co-ordination and 'inaccurate' state of mind. At the bottom of the article there are comments from people who strongly disagree with it, but it's always good to challenge such things in the interest of having an open mind:

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-10-cannabis-cognitive-chaos-brain.htm

How cannabis causes 'cognitive chaos' in the brain

Cannabis use is associated with disturbances in concentration and memory. New research by neuroscientists at the University of Bristol, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, has found that brain activity becomes uncoordinated and inaccurate during these altered states of mind, leading to neurophysiological and behavioural impairments reminiscent of those seen in schizophrenia.

The collaborative study, led by Dr Matt Jones from the University's School of Physiology and Pharmacology, tested whether the detrimental effects of cannabis on memory and cognition could be the result of 'disorchestrated' brain networks.
Brain activity can be compared to performance of a philharmonic orchestra in which string, brass, woodwind and percussion sections are coupled together in rhythms dictated by the conductor. Similarly, specific structures in the brain tune in to one another at defined frequencies: their rhythmic activity gives rise to brain waves, and the tuning of these brain waves normally allows processing of information used to guide our behaviour.
Using state-of-the-art technology, the researchers measured electrical activity from hundreds of neurons in rats that were given a drug that mimics the psychoactive ingredient of marijuana. While the effects of the drug on individual brain regions were subtle, the drug completely disrupted co-ordinated brain waves across the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, as though two sections of the orchestra were playing out of synch.
Both these brain structures are essential for memory and decision-making and heavily implicated in the pathology of schizophrenia.
The results from the study show that as a consequence of this decoupling of hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, the rats became unable to make accurate decisions when navigating around a maze.
Dr Jones, lead author and MRC Senior Non-clinical Fellow at the University, said: "Marijuana abuse is common among sufferers of schizophrenia and recent studies have shown that the psychoactive ingredient of marijuana can induce some symptoms of schizophrenia in healthy volunteers. These findings are therefore important for our understanding of psychiatric diseases, which may arise as a consequence of 'disorchestrated brains' and could be treated by re-tuning brain activity."
Michal Kucewicz, first author on the study, added: "These results are an important step forward in our understanding of how rhythmic activity in the brain underlies thought processes in health and disease."

Genetic Link Found Between Pot and Schizophrenia

Genes that increase the risk of a person developing schizophrenia may also increase the chance they will use cannabis, researchers said on Tuesday after studying more than 1,000 users of the drug.

The results chime with previous studies linking schizophrenia and cannabis, but suggest the association may be due to common genes and might not be a causal relationship where cannabis use leads to increased schizophrenia risk.

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in the world, and its use is higher among people with schizophrenia than in the general population. "We know that cannabis increases the risk of schizophrenia. Our study certainly does not rule this out, but it suggests that there is likely to be an association in the other direction as well — that a pre-disposition to schizophrenia also increases your likelihood of cannabis use," said Robert Power, who led the study at the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London.

IN DEPTH

-Reuters

First published June 24th 2014, 6:53 pm

Study:- Cannabis and Schizophrenia.

https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/…/Does%20Smoking%20Canabis%20Incr…

GROUP INTRODUCTION.

Hi all.

In today's society it seems to be accepted that the use of Cannabis/Marijuana, is just a social thing, i.e. like drinking alcohol. However, the health risks of this for certain people either suffering from or prone to mental illness can be immense.

Some people including health workers, use such drugs in front of people whom they know are suffering from a psychiatric illness, without always warning them in advance. This is worrying as it can prevent people from making informed decisions, thus putting them in danger.

The attitude in society, is often that people should just 'fit in' with recreational drug-taking, and that those who don't want to join in themselves, should just turn a blind eye to it all.

That may sound all very well, however, as well as encouraging mentally unwell people to join in with this, thus risking the possibility of psychosis after just one joint, it also raises the question of 'passive smoking.' (Not enough tests have been conducted so far, to ascertain the physical or mental health risks associated with this).

Leading on from the above, it is not known whether it is the actual drug that causes or worsens mental-health or extra chemicals added to it by third-parties. However, it can still be dangerous either way.

Therefore the purpose of the group, is to provide a source of information for anyone with a mental-health problem who has been, or potentially could be adversely affected by others in their vicinity smoking cannabis/marijuana. It is NOT a statement against the drug itself. I fully appreciate that there have been claims that the medicinal benefits of the drug are great. In addition, the drug may also help as well as hinder mental-health conditions!

The debate regarding legalization, has persuasive arguments 'for' and 'against,' it is not the intention of the group to sway people's opinion on this matter either. The group exits as an educational resource only.

Thanks for your interest.

Mark.