Why Are the Effects of Marijuana So Unpredictable?

[n2doc]

By Jonah Lehrer
October 11, 2010 |
12:44 pm |
Categories: Frontal Cortex, Science Blogs





Alcohol is mostly predictable. When we drink a beer (or three), we usually have a pretty good sense of what it’s going to feel like. We can anticipate the buzz, the slackening of self-control, the impaired motor movements and the increased mind-wandering. In part, this is because alcohol is a tightly regulated psychoactive drug, and the alcohol content is clearly printed on every bottle. We also sense alcohol directly, so that the potency of a hard liquor tastes different than that of weak light beer. When we drink, we generally know how drunk we are going to be.

But not all drugs are so predictable. Consider marijuana, which can trigger dramatically different symptoms depending on the strain and context. It’s long been known that different strains of the drug contain various amounts of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient. When people talk about the effects of the drug – such as giddiness, the munchies, and a sudden desire to watch The Big Lebowski – they’re typically referring to the effects of THC. (Interestingly, the same chemical can also make us paranoid. More on that later.) But THC doesn’t work alone – marijuana also contains cannabidiol, a compound associated with calm and relaxation. The ratio of THC to cannabidiol seems to be the key variable: Skunk-type strains, for instance, contain a higher ratio of THC to cannabidiol than, say, marijuana byproducts like hashish. (According to a paper in Neuropsychopharmacology, “Delta-9-THC and CBD can have opposite effects on regional brain function, which may underlie their different symptomatic and behavioral effects, and CBD’s ability to block the psychotogenic effects of delta-9-THC.”) In general, high levels of THC seem to be desired by marijuana users, which helps explain why levels of THC have increased dramatically in the last few decades.

Now for the bad news: These popular skunk-strains (high in THC, low in cannabidiol) seem to be uniquely associated with memory loss. That, at least, is the lesson of a recent paper in the British Journal of Psychiatry.



Read More http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/10/why-are-the-effects-of-marijuana-so-unpredictable/

[ixion]

1. Hand-wringers showing such concern over a non-toxic substance

when there are hundreds of toxic pharmaceuticals on the market. All it helps to do if funnel money to the MIC, and put non-violent offenders behind bars, thus destroying their lives.

[ensho]

2. why would you want predictable or generic weed? boring

variety is the spice of life

[paulk]

3. if you're taking it for a medical condition

the same reaction or result every time would be desirable.

[hendo]

5. Most definately.

We cannot have prescription drugs where the possible negative effects can change with every new refill.

[ensho]

8. buy the same kind every time and

if its not working toke some more

[hendo]

14. So, you do not support that people be educated

about what they are smoking?

[hendo]

4. As someone who doesnt smoke pot, I cant speak for smokers, but

wouldn't you rather know what was in the pot that you were smoking before you smoked it, and have some understanding of the effects of various strains before getting stoned?

My main problem with weed is that illegal drug use often supports drug cartels, and there are two solutions for that:
1) Only smoke locally grown
2) Legalize weed so that the drug cartels are taken out of the picture for it.

[MH1]

9. Do 1 and 2 and you solve the problem

I'll know what I'm getting if I grow it or get it from my regular, trusted local grower.

[hendo]

12. Yup :) You get a Gold Star!

Whatever you do, you should do it responsibly, and you most certainly do that, at least when it comes to acquiring your illegal substances. :)

[WingDinger]

11. The problem is MARKETING, Eone wants a racy name. Not descriptive, per se.

[hendo]

13. It is the mark of a responsible consumer to take responsibility

for knowing what they ingest.

The same can be said for fast food, and any number of potentially harmful food products.

[WingDinger]

15. Hey, at least we've kept it from being screwed with, GM style.

[hendo]

16. What really needs to happen is legalization and regulation

The government needs to take the cash producing power out of the cartels and place it in the hands of law-abiding American citizens.

[elocs]

6. You dare to cast a shadow upon a DU god? How bold of you.

Prepare to be suffer the consequences.

[n2doc]

17. It's not a shadow to try and improve understanding

As someone put it above, if we want to use this medicinally, (and I fully support both that and legalization) we might as well spend some time trying to understand the different chemical influences involved and try to improve things. There has always been way too much variability in what you buy, IMHO.

[elocs]

18. When it comes to marijuana DU does not want any improved understanding,

only cheerleading. There is denial here that there is any downside to pot use at all, that its as safe as breast milk, only more beneficial.

[frylock]

19. and what have you added to the conversation..

besides more hyperbolic bullshit?

[elocs]

20. I didn't know I was required to add to the converstion. Besides, I like hyperbolic bullshit

as much as many here love pot. :rofl: :bounce:

[FirstLight]

7. interesting...

Some medical strains are bred for specific purposes though. Like for pain relief, and the effect is not so much getting high as it is helping pain. I always wondered how that was accomplished, so the info about the different active ingredients is fascinating...

[WingDinger]

10. Until NOW, only us MEd Mar patients understood any of this.

Further, Cannabis Sativa, is much more THC 9, so is a up buzz, good for getting things done. And many dont understand that Med. Mar. is not just a great strain. It is groomed, doted over, and pampered. This is to limit the level of Active Delta 9 THC from degrading.

All must understand that there is only one path for the active ingredients. Degradation to CBD. Thus couch lock. And lethargy.

Who would have guessed that the thing that helps patients, also is just the thing we enjoy. And any attempt to kill the buzz, harms the good it does.

[Charlotte32]

21. all predictable

people who smoke enough know how to predict.