Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Visionary7 · 04-11-2005, 05:51 PM

Hello...I wanted to discuss this idea because I don't think I've seen a discussion of this nature before..It can be on how or what relates marijuana to evolution. The plant has been around for centuries and then some.

Quote:

History of Marijuana Use

Marijuana has been used as an agent for achieving euphoria since ancient times; it was described in a Chinese medical compendium traditionally considered to date from 2737 B.C. Its use spread from China to India and then to N Africa and reached Europe at least as early as A.D. 500. A major crop in colonial North America, marijuana (hemp) was grown as a source of fiber. It was extensively cultivated during World War II, when Asian sources of hemp were cut off.

Marijuana is Tetrahyrdocannabinol..Or THC for short.

It is smoked and inhaled through the lungs and exhaled. Your bloodstream passess the thc to your brain to feel a euphoria. This is relative because there are different levels of potency in varying plants.What I want to ask is a scientific analysis how how marijuana affects the brain by synapes,neurotransmitters, and brain chemistry.

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Using marijuana may cause:
* Memory Problems

Nope..

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* Reduced abilities to do things that need concentration and coordination

Nope. .

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* Increase Appetite

Yep....It's called the munchies..

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* Decrease Inhibitions

Depends on the individual..Experiences vary to the individual.

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* Bloodshot eyes, dry mouth and throat

Yep.

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* Lower testosterone levels and sperm counts in men

I don't know about that but it is likely.

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* Increase testosterone in women, which can cause acne and increased facial and body hair.
* May cause paranoia and hallucinations
* Diminished or extinguished sexual pleasure
* Psychological dependence so that over time more of the drug is needed to get the same effect.

To some degree.

How exactly does the brain react to thc?

The next post will move on to the evolutionary aspect of marjuana...discuss.

Duck! · 04-11-2005, 05:57 PM

You claimed that marijuana doesn't affect the ability to do tasks that require concentration or co-ordination. I can verify that marijuana affects those things very much. Whenever I try to play video games when I'm stoned, I usually give up after a few minutes because my co-ordination is shot to pieces and I can't concentrate on that kind of things. I'd rather just lie back and watch a South Park video or something similar, you know, something that doesn't require any serious concentration or co-ordination?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visionary7

The next post will move on to the evolutionary aspect of marjuana...discuss.

Discuss what? The evolution of marijuana plants or something else?

Duck!

Arthwollipot · 04-11-2005, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duck!

Discuss what? The evolution of marijuana plants or something else?

I assume that it would be the evolutionary aspects of the effect of THC on the brain. Probably something like "what evolutionary advantage does this reaction have, that it was selected for by nature?"

Which we all know is a fallacy...

Visionary7 · 04-11-2005, 06:14 PM

http://www.cannabis.net/memory/brain.html

Quote:

Nearly a decade ago, researchers determined that the brain contains a molecule that mimics the active ingredient in marijuana, but its location and role in the brain were unclear. Now, UCSF researchers have discovered that the molecule acts, at least in part, in a region of the brain that plays a key role in learning and memory.Nearly a decade ago, researchers determined that the brain contains a molecule that mimics the active ingredient in marijuana, but its location and role in the brain were unclear. Now, UCSF researchers have discovered that the molecule acts, at least in part, in a region of the brain that plays a key role in learning and memory.

The study, reported in the March 29 issue of Nature, suggests, the researchers say, that the molecule, known as a cannabinoid, plays a role in particular cognitive functions within a structure known as the hippocampus. Paradoxically, marijuana disrupts cognitive function and the likely explanation, the researchers say, is that marijuana disrupts the very cognitive system the cannabinoid normally supports.

<Edited for copyright: Read the rest at the link above>

Apparently,I am very adept a google searches.

What could be a scientific explanation of the brain reacting to thc?

And where can I find info on marijuana regarding evolution?

Duck! · 04-11-2005, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthwollipot

Probably something like "what evolutionary advantage does this reaction have, that it was selected for by nature?"

That's kind of what I suspect he's asking. I hope not, because it would imply a strawman or misunderstanding that somehow everything about humans is some sort of evolutionary advantage.

The fact that marijuana gets me stoned is no more of an evolutionary advantage than the fact that taking aspirin or paracetamol is good for pain.

Duck!

Visionary7 · 04-11-2005, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duck!

You claimed that marijuana doesn't affect the ability to do tasks that require concentration or co-ordination. I can verify that marijuana affects those things very much. Whenever I try to play video games when I'm stoned, I usually give up after a few minutes because my co-ordination is shot to pieces and I can't concentrate on that kind of things. I'd rather just lie back and watch a South Park video or something similar, you know, something that doesn't require any serious concentration or co-ordination?

Discuss what? The evolution of marijuana plants or something else?

Duck!

I've done serious thinking and handled complicated tasks like navigating tricky traffic and fixing a flat..Not to mention arguing science. Discussing complex things with you lovely atheists.

V7!

Visionary7 · 04-11-2005, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthwollipot

I assume that it would be the evolutionary aspects of the effect of THC on the brain. Probably something like "what evolutionary advantage does this reaction have, that it was selected for by nature?"

Which we all know is a fallacy...

What do you mean by fallacy??

Don't put the cart before the horse. Does not natural biological plant life have to do with evolution? Consider the age of the plant.

Duck! · 04-11-2005, 06:24 PM

Note, that you replied "Nope" to the claim that marijuana *may cause reduced abilities to do things that need concentration and coordination"

It didn't say that you couldn't do anything that required concentration and co-ordination or that it definitely would affect your concentration and coordination, merely that it might affect those abilities. I'm verifying that it does sometimes affect those abilities.

But that's a topic for another thread. Maybe you should just get to the point and tell us what you're getting at?

Duck!

Phishfood · 04-11-2005, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visionary7

I've done serious thinking and handled complicated tasks like navigating tricky traffic and fixing a flat..Not to mention arguing science. Discussing complex things with you lovely atheists.

V7!

well, yah...i've done all sorts of complex things while high. i've renewed a DMV driver's license, driven all over the place, rolled blunts while driving, registered for voting in person, written reports, studied, given speeches, discussed everything under the sun on this message board. and i've also had shitty reaction times while playing sports, not been able to communicate well in crowds, played shitty games of beer pong, etc.

depends on all sorts of things. your being able to concentrate enough to drive a car or other such things does not negate the fact that marijuana impairs coordination.

-Pf

RBH · 04-11-2005, 06:58 PM

If there's a topic to this thread it escapes me. Can we find one, or should it make its stoned way to ~E~?

RBH
E/C Mod

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04-11-2005, 06:24 PM	#8
Duck! Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Ireland Posts: 3,647	Note, that you replied "Nope" to the claim that marijuana *may cause reduced abilities to do things that need concentration and coordination" It didn't say that you couldn't do anything that required concentration and co-ordination or that it definitely would affect your concentration and coordination, merely that it might affect those abilities. I'm verifying that it does sometimes affect those abilities. But that's a topic for another thread. Maybe you should just get to the point and tell us what you're getting at? Duck!

04-11-2005, 06:58 PM	#10
RBH Contributor Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 15,407	If there's a topic to this thread it escapes me. Can we find one, or should it make its stoned way to ~E~? RBH E/C Mod

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