Smoking high-strength cannabis may damage nerve fibres in brain

WHATFG

WHATFG

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Study suggests high levels of skunk use may affect the brain’s white matter, making communication between the right and left hemispheres less efficient



The brain’s white matter seen from the front as obtained by diffusion tensor imaging. Photograph: Institute of Psychiatry
Ian Sample Science editor


@iansample

Friday 27 November 2015 00.01 GMT Last modified on Friday 27 November 2015 12.49 GMT

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High-strength cannabis may damage nerve fibres that handle the flow of messages across the two halves of the brain, scientists claim. Brain scans of people who regularly smoked strong skunk-like cannabis revealed subtle differences in the white matter that connects the left and right hemispheres and carries signals from one side of the brain to the other.

The changes were not seen in those who never used cannabis or smoked only the less potent forms of the drug, the researchers found.

The study is thought to be the first to look at the effects of cannabis potency on brain structure, and suggests that greater use of skunk may cause more damage to the corpus callosum, making communications across the brain’s hemispheres less efficient.

Paola Dazzan, a neurobiologist at the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London, said the effects appeared to be linked to the level of active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), in cannabis. While traditional forms of cannabis contain 2 to 4 % THC, the more potent varieties (of which there are about 100), can contain 10 to 14% THC, according to the DrugScope charity.

“If you look at the corpus callosum, what we’re seeing is a significant difference in the white matter between those who use high potency cannabis and those who never use the drug, or use the low-potency drug,” said Dazzan. The corpus callosum is rich in cannabinoid receptors, on which the THC chemical acts.


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A DTI image of the corpus callosum, as seen from the side, is shown in red on and superimposed on a background MRI image of the brain. Photograph: Institute of Psychiatry
“The difference is there whether you have psychosis or not, and we think this is strictly related to the potency of the cannabis,” she added. Details of the study are reported in the journal Psychological Medicine.

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WHATFG

WHATFG

Well-Known Member
OMFG...I just caught this out of the corner of my eye on the news...from the guardian.com
 
OGEvilgenius

OGEvilgenius

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More junk science from a bunch of paid for scientists.

Self selected sample that's tiny with patients that have Schizophrenia which is known to do the same thing (damage that area of the brain). Congrats. And they were almost certainly self medicating given CBD's potent anti psychotic properties. Many schizophrenics do. They also tend to smoke cigarettes which also help.
 
G

gb123

Well-Known Member
OK people before you go on and on and on about what idiots go on and oo and on about..

"High-strength cannabis may damage nerve fibres that handle the flow of messages across the two halves of the brain"

"It is possible that these people already have a different brain and they are more likely to use cannabis"

"In February, Dazzan and others at the Institute of Psychiatry reported that the ready availability of skunk in south London might be behind a rise in the proportion of new cases of psychosis being attributed to cannabis."

"and we think this is strictly related to the potency of the cannabis"

love their FACTS :lol:



Oh ...go blow some more BS... this stuff is truly hilarious...
 
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