MGMPORTO 08 | JORGE VILELA

MYTHS AND FACTS

Myth: Marijuana Can Cause Permanent Mental Illness.

Among adolescents, even occasional marijuana use may cause psychological damage. During intoxication, marijuana users become irrati

erratically.

Fact: There is no convincing scientific evidence that marijuana causes psychological damage or mental illness in either teenagers

experience psychological distress following marijuana ingestion, which may include feelings of panic, anxiety, and paranoia.

the effects are temporary. With very large doses, marijuana can cause temporary toxic psychosis. This occurs rarely, and almo

than smoked. Marijuana does not cause profound changes in people's behavior.

Iverson, Leslie. “Long-term effects of exposure to cannabis.” Current Opinion in Pharmacology

Weiser and Noy. “Interpreting the association between cannabis use and increased risk of schizophrenia.”

"Cannabis use will impair but not damage mental health." London Telegraph. 23 January

Andreasson, S. et al. “Cannabis and Schizophrenia: A Longitudinal study of Swedish Conscripts,”

Degenhardt, Louisa, Wayne Hall and Michael Lynskey. “Testing hypotheses about the relationship between cannabis use and psychosis,”

(2003): 42-4.

Weil, A. “Adverse Reactions to Marijuana: Classification and Suggested Treatment.” New England Journal of Medicine

Myth: Marijuana is Highly Addictive. Long term marijuana users experience physical dependence and withdrawal, and often need

break their marijuana habits.

Fact: Most people who smoke marijuana smoke it only occasionally. A small minority of Americans

smaller minority develop a dependence on marijuana. Some people who smoke marijuana heavily and frequently stop without diffi

treatment professionals. Marijuana does not cause physical dependence. If people experience withdrawal symptoms at all, they

United States. Dept. of Health and Human Services.DASIS Report Series, Differences in Marijuana Admissions Based on Source of ReferralUnited States. Dept. of Health and Human Services.DASIS Report Series, Differences in Marijuana Admissions Based on Source of Referral

Johnson, L.D., et al. “National Survey Results on Drug Use from the Monitoring the Future Study, 1975

Department of Health and Human Services, 1996.

Kandel, D.B., et al. “Prevalence and demographic correlates of symptoms of dependence on cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine

Dependence 44 (1997):11-29.

Stephens, R.S., et al. “Adult marijuana users seeking treatment.” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

adolescents, even occasional marijuana use may cause psychological damage. During intoxication, marijuana users become irrational and often behave

: There is no convincing scientific evidence that marijuana causes psychological damage or mental illness in either teenagers or adults. Some marijuana users

experience psychological distress following marijuana ingestion, which may include feelings of panic, anxiety, and paranoia. Such experiences can be frightening, but

the effects are temporary. With very large doses, marijuana can cause temporary toxic psychosis. This occurs rarely, and almost always when marijuana is eaten rather

Current Opinion in Pharmacology5(2005): 69-72.

. “Interpreting the association between cannabis use and increased risk of schizophrenia.” Dialogues in Clincal Neuroscience1(2005): 81-85.

2006.

, S. et al. “Cannabis and Schizophrenia: A Longitudinal study of Swedish Conscripts,” The Lancet 2 (1987): 1483-86.

“Testing hypotheses about the relationship between cannabis use and psychosis,” Drug and Alcohol Dependence 71

New England Journal of Medicine 282 (1970): 997-1000.

Myth: Marijuana is Highly Addictive. Long term marijuana users experience physical dependence and withdrawal, and often need professional drug treatment to

Most people who smoke marijuana smoke it only occasionally. A small minority of Americans - less than 1 percent - smoke marijuana on a daily basis. An even

smaller minority develop a dependence on marijuana. Some people who smoke marijuana heavily and frequently stop without difficulty. Others seek help from drug

treatment professionals. Marijuana does not cause physical dependence. If people experience withdrawal symptoms at all, they are remarkably mild.

Report Series, Differences in Marijuana Admissions Based on Source of Referral. 2002. June 24 2005.Report Series, Differences in Marijuana Admissions Based on Source of Referral. 2002. June 24 2005.

Johnson, L.D., et al. “National Survey Results on Drug Use from the Monitoring the Future Study, 1975-1994, Volume II: College Students and Young Adults.” Rockville, MD: U.S.

, D.B., et al. “Prevalence and demographic correlates of symptoms of dependence on cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine in the U.S. population.” Drug and Alcohol

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 61 (1993): 1100-1104.

Myth: Marijuana Has No Medicinal Value. Safer, more effective drugs are available.

which is marketed in the United States under the name Marinol.

Fact: Marijuana has been shown to be effective in reducing the nausea induced by cancer

intraocular pressure in people with glaucoma. There is also appreciable evidence that

synthetic capsule is available by prescription, but it is not as effective as smoked marijuana for

psychoactive side effects than smoked marijuana. Many people use marijuana as a medicine

imprisonment.

Vinciguerra, Vincent; Moore, Terry and Eileen Brennan. “Inhalation marijuana as an antiemeticVinciguerra, Vincent; Moore, Terry and Eileen Brennan. “Inhalation marijuana as an antiemetic

27.

McCabe M, Smith FP, Macdonald JS. “Efficacy of tetrahydrocannabinol in patients refractory

Gorter, R., et al. “Dronabionol effects on weight in patients with HIV infection.” 1992. AIDS

Foltin, R.W., et al. “Behavioral analysis of marijuana effects on food intake in humans.” Pharmacology

Crawford, W.J. and Merritt, J.C. “Effect of tetrahydrocannabinol on Arterial and Intraocular

Biopharmaceuticals 17 (1979):191-96.

Merritt, J.C., et al. “Effects of marijuana on intraocular and blood pressure on glaucoma.”

Baker, D., Gareth Pryce and J. Ludovic Croxford. “Cannabinoids control spasticity and tremor

Hanigan, W.C., et al. “The Effect of Delta-9-THC on Human Spasticity.” Clinical Pharmacology

Myth: Marijuana is More Damaging to the Lungs Than Tobacco. Marijuana smokers are at a high risk of developing lung cancer, bronchitis, and emphysema.

Fact: Moderate smoking of marijuana appears to pose minimal danger to the lungs. Like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke contains a num

carcinogens. But marijuana users typically smoke much less often than tobacco smokers, and over time, inhale much less smoke.

damage should be lower in marijuana smokers. There have been no reports of lung cancer related solely to marijuana, and in a

American Thoracic Society in 2006, even heavy users of smoked marijuana were found not to have any increased risk of lung can

heavy marijuana smokers exhibit no obstruction of the lung's small airway. That indicates that people will not develop emphys

Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. “Legalization: Panacea or Pandora’s Box.” New York. (1995): 36.

Turner, Carlton E. The Marijuana Controversy. Rockville: American Council for Drug Education, 1981.

Nahas, Gabriel G. and Nicholas A. Pace. Letter. “Marijuana as Chemotherapy Aid Poses Hazards.”

Inaba, Darryl S. and William E. Cohen. Uppers, Downers, All-Arounders: Physical and Mental Effects of Psychoactive Drugs

@drugpolicy.org

. They include a synthetic version of THC, marijuana's primary active ingredient,

cancer chemotherapy, stimulating appetite in AIDS patients, and reducing

that marijuana reduces muscle spasticity in patients with neurological disorders. A

marijuana for many patients. Pure THC may also produce more unpleasant

medicine today, despite its illegality. In doing so, they risk arrest and

antiemetic for cancer chemotherapy.” New York State Journal of Medicine 85 (1988): 525-antiemetic for cancer chemotherapy.” New York State Journal of Medicine 85 (1988): 525-

refractory to standard antiemetic therapy.” Investigational New Drugs 6.3 (1988): 243-46.

AIDS 6 (1992):127-38.

Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 25 (1986): 577-82.

Intraocular Hypertension.” International Journal of Clinical of Pharmacology and

glaucoma.”Ophthamology 87 (1980):222-28.

tremor in a multiple sclerosis model.” Nature 404.6773 (2000): 84-7.

Pharmacology and Therapeutics 39 (1986):198.

Marijuana smokers are at a high risk of developing lung cancer, bronchitis, and emphysema.

Moderate smoking of marijuana appears to pose minimal danger to the lungs. Like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke contains a number of irritants and

carcinogens. But marijuana users typically smoke much less often than tobacco smokers, and over time, inhale much less smoke. As a result, the risk of serious lung

damage should be lower in marijuana smokers. There have been no reports of lung cancer related solely to marijuana, and in a large study presented to the

American Thoracic Society in 2006, even heavy users of smoked marijuana were found not to have any increased risk of lung cancer. Unlike heavy tobacco smokers,

heavy marijuana smokers exhibit no obstruction of the lung's small airway. That indicates that people will not develop emphysema from smoking marijuana.

Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. “Legalization: Panacea or Pandora’s Box.” New York. (1995): 36.

. Rockville: American Council for Drug Education, 1981.

, Gabriel G. and Nicholas A. Pace. Letter. “Marijuana as Chemotherapy Aid Poses Hazards.”New York Times 4 December 1993: A20.

: Physical and Mental Effects of Psychoactive Drugs. 2nd ed. Ashland: CNS Productions, 1995. 174.

Jorge Vilela

doisete.blogspot.com

©2009

Vilela

doisete.blogspot.com

©2009