Marijuana Could Improve Memory

I have known a few hardcore stoners and this seems unlikely!

Marijuana could improve memory, reduce anxiety and depression: researchers
Fri Oct 14, 6:41 PM ET


Canadian researchers have discovered that smoking marijuana could improve a person's memory and mood.
A team at the University of Saskatchewan headed by Xia Zhang found that injections of a potent HU210 synthetic substance that mimics the active ingredients in cannabis increases the production of neurons in the hippocampus area of the brain in rats.
The region is associated with learning and memory, as well as anxiety and depression. Zhang and his colleagues believe that these negative emotions are caused by a lack of cell growth in this region of the brain.
Other recent studies showed growth in brain cells in the hippocampus lessened anxiety and depression.
In contrast, other recreational drugs such as alcohol, nicotine, cocaine and heroine suppress growth of new brain cells.
"The implication is that smoking marijuana is a good thing," Zhang told AFP.
The discovery may eventually lead to the next blockbuster antidepressant drug treatment, he said.
"It is possible this might overtake Prozac," he said.
Of course, it has only been proven in rats so far. And, HU210 is a purified substance 100 times stronger than the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in marijuana.
The study will be published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation in November.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051014...3256&printer=1

[barbiedoll25]

I believe it could relieve anxiety and possibly depression? But definintly anxiety. I know a lot of uptight pple who if they just smoked a joint would relax infinitly Stress is so bad for everyone right now, isn't it one of the big contributors to heart disease? Anyway, I don't think it helps with memory, either. My best friend smokes weed everyday and has a crap memory lol. Maybe the guys who did this study get high everyday and just wish it were true?

[DisruptiveHair]

Marijuana's bad, mmm kay?

[SVZ]

doubt it. my s.o. can't remember how many toes he has

[Mr. Authority]

I don't believe it. I smoke weed from time to time and I could'nt remember a thing so I doubt it'll help with memory. It is however a great anti-depressant.

[miss_perfect]

I also read once that coke helps your short term memory. Yeeah, OK.

I just think that every once in a while, a bunch of druggie scientists get together, publish an article on their "research" and invent stats to make themselves feel better about their own drug use.

[WickedHo]

I don't buy it. They're talking about a synthetic substance, not the real deal. Oh, and their subjects are rats. If they do a study of marijuana smokers, then maybe I'd be inclined to consider their results.

BTW: I'm an everyday pot smoker (on the average). And my memory is not crap. Yet. Has it been detrimentally affected? I don't think so. Wait. What was I just talking about??

[pacific breeze]

Yeah, I read this, smoked a joint and forgot to post it!

Just kidding...pot does NOTHING to improve my short or long-term memory.

[haggard]

Originally Posted by barbiedoll25

I believe it could relieve anxiety and possibly depression? But definintly anxiety. I know a lot of uptight pple who if they just smoked a joint would relax infinitly Stress is so bad for everyone right now, isn't it one of the big contributors to heart disease? Anyway, I don't think it helps with memory, either. My best friend smokes weed everyday and has a crap memory lol. Maybe the guys who did this study get high everyday and just wish it were true?

I dont know about the anxiety thing either....I know a few stoners who get EXTREMELY paranoid when they toke up...

[buttmunch]

I used to wake and bake on a daily basis (waaayyyy back in college) and although I have trouble remembering my kids names at times, it's usually because I'm in a blind rage, not due to any past daliances. Or at least that's what I like to think.

[LynnieD]

What was the question?

[zebracakes]

I've known people to use it to relieve depression, but I don't think it does anything to help you long-term, at least watching the people I knew. They seemed to avoid the situations they were depressed about instead of doing something productive to change them.

[ourmaninBusan]

...and this is true -- sometimes smoking a joint will make
you a safer driver.

I know of one girl who drove her dad's car -- a beast much
too big for her -- and when she gave me a ride, she was very
nervous behind the wheel. When she looked over her left shoulder,
the car started going left, then she'd abruptly veer back into her
lane...that sort of thing.

But we parked and she lit up a joint -- and I was, OMG you're not
gonna drive NOW are ya -- and once the THC got into her system,
she was actually in control of the car and drove normally.

[Tiara]

I always heard that it killed brain cells!

[LynnieD]

Originally Posted by ourmaninBusan

...and this is true -- sometimes smoking a joint will make
you a safer driver.

I know of one girl who drove her dad's car -- a beast much
too big for her -- and when she gave me a ride, she was very
nervous behind the wheel. When she looked over her left shoulder,
the car started going left, then she'd abruptly veer back into her
lane...that sort of thing.

But we parked and she lit up a joint -- and I was, OMG you're not
gonna drive NOW are ya -- and once the THC got into her system,
she was actually in control of the car and drove normally.

Ok, I admit I have driven extremely high a few times back in the day...and I can personally atest to this. I drove like 40 mph on the highway (posted speed limit at the time was 55mph) because I was so freaking paranoid. I had this extremely heightened awareness of all the other drivers and surroundings it was totally bizarre. I didn't want to drive fast, and I always drive faster than the speed limit. I don't recommend it though.