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New Pot Research
A new study shows that pot ups the chances of developping a psychotic illness by 40%. Thoughts? Here's a link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/26/AR2007072602014.html
6 comments:
I am always really skeptical about these studies. The take-away seems to be that smoking pot makes you psychotic. But maybe it's just that smoking pot is attractive to some people who are not stable. I think it's the type of drug that people do when they want to escape reality. Lots of people are looking for that experience and some of them probably want it because they are ill. But the notion that marijuana causes psychosis--I don't buy it.
I am always really skeptical about these studies. The take-away seems to be that smoking pot makes you psychotic. But maybe it's just that smoking pot is attractive to some people who are not stable. I think it's the type of drug that people do when they want to escape reality. Lots of people are looking for that experience and some of them probably want it because they are ill. But the notion that marijuana causes psychosis--I don't buy it.
Well you're definitely right, there is the possibility that pot smoking is just more attractive to more unstable people. But keep in mind, the same type of thing was said about cigarette smoking studies when they first came out...that maybe people who smoke cigs just happen to be more unhealthy, but they don't cause cancer. The evidence supporting marijuana causing psychosis isn't as strong, but it's in the same ballpark, so to speak. There's certainly enough evidence to suggest that people who want to avoid psychotic symptoms should avoid marijuana. Trust me, I wish there wasn't....I really enjoyed pot at times and am often tempted, but for me personally it ain't worth it anymore.
I am epileptic and bipolar. In the sixties I was advised by my then physician to smoke pot instead of drinking alcohol. Marijuana was thought to be beneficial to epileptics. I smoked regularly from the late sixties to the early eighties but no longer indulge. The reason I gave it up is that the pot now available is hybridised, chemicalised and so debauched that I do feel it is quite capable of inducing psychosis. This has been suggested my more than one researcher and my own experience recently has convinced me of the truth of the claims. I would still use homegrown, organic weed if it were available but will leave the street gear alone.
Pot? Touchy subject with me. My bipolar manias had been in remmission for six years until I began chilling or rather, self-medicating with the stuff many an evening. As a result I had a hard time shaking off a bout of psychosis and when I finally recovered I vowed to avoid street drugs like the plague. Have been healthy for three years ever since. Be careful!
i hate pot it ruined many family's i thought i wanted to be apart of...every couple who smokes whether it be one the other or both people, when they have kids ther kids have mental health problems...you all can go shove it if you think smoking is o.k. i hate pot n people that smoke it ... it is ruining my relationship right now with alot of people i love especially wit my girl!!!
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