Marijuana users, irked by new laws banning or severely limiting the distribution and use of medical marijuana, list a variety of reasons defending the leafy substance. They claim that the medical benefits associated with marijuana far outweigh any potential health risks. However, the face of the debate is changing with the publication of studies revolving around the topic.
Recently, a study conducted in New Zealand revealed that long term marijuana users had lower IQs later in life than those who seldom or never used the substance. The authors of that particular study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academies of Science, concluded that: "Collectively, these findings are consistent with speculations that cannabis use in adolescence, when the brain is undergoing critical development, may have neurotoxic effects."
These findings come at a time when marijuana use has skyrocketed among teens in the U.S. One of the pro-marijauana arguments is that the substance is not addictive in the way that other drugs are. However, according to an article in the LA Times, "neuroscience, animal studies, clinical reports of withdrawal in humans and epidemiology all show that marijuana is potentially addictive."
Medical marijuana advocates do make some claims about the benefits of the plant which are backed by science. Studies show that it successfully treats neuropathic pain, increases appetite and reduces nausea in AIDS and cancer patients. However, the theory that it is a good treatment for glaucoma was debunked by a study which showed that the amount needed to do so far from makes it a viable option in place of other options.
Those who suffer mental illness often turn to medical marijuana as treatment, but it was recently shown to cause these problems, not alleviate them. As stated in the aforementioned LA Times article, marijuana is linked to long-term psychiatric problems such as depression, anxiety and psychosis. "Marijuana often is regarded as a 'soft drug' with few harmful effects," says Dr. Joseph M. Pierre, co-chief of the Schizophrenia Treatment Unit at the Department of Veterans Affairs' West Los Angeles Healthcare Center.
With new studies pointing out the negative effects of the leafy substance seeming to pop up daily, it is becoming more and more clear that it is far more detrimental than previously thought.
Recently, a study conducted in New Zealand revealed that long term marijuana users had lower IQs later in life than those who seldom or never used the substance. The authors of that particular study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academies of Science, concluded that: "Collectively, these findings are consistent with speculations that cannabis use in adolescence, when the brain is undergoing critical development, may have neurotoxic effects."
These findings come at a time when marijuana use has skyrocketed among teens in the U.S. One of the pro-marijauana arguments is that the substance is not addictive in the way that other drugs are. However, according to an article in the LA Times, "neuroscience, animal studies, clinical reports of withdrawal in humans and epidemiology all show that marijuana is potentially addictive."
Medical marijuana advocates do make some claims about the benefits of the plant which are backed by science. Studies show that it successfully treats neuropathic pain, increases appetite and reduces nausea in AIDS and cancer patients. However, the theory that it is a good treatment for glaucoma was debunked by a study which showed that the amount needed to do so far from makes it a viable option in place of other options.
Those who suffer mental illness often turn to medical marijuana as treatment, but it was recently shown to cause these problems, not alleviate them. As stated in the aforementioned LA Times article, marijuana is linked to long-term psychiatric problems such as depression, anxiety and psychosis. "Marijuana often is regarded as a 'soft drug' with few harmful effects," says Dr. Joseph M. Pierre, co-chief of the Schizophrenia Treatment Unit at the Department of Veterans Affairs' West Los Angeles Healthcare Center.
With new studies pointing out the negative effects of the leafy substance seeming to pop up daily, it is becoming more and more clear that it is far more detrimental than previously thought.
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