It's no coincidence that marijuana legalization
support has surged with the growth of social
media. The voices of the Reefer Madness era
are silenced daily as studies and testimonials
continue pouring in about this often
misunderstood plant. Ignorance still remains,
however, and this fight won't be won without
continued education of the masses.
It takes one fact that hits home to sway
someone's opinion. Maybe one of the following
will do that for you. Here are five things about
marijuana you may not have known:
1. THC and CBD, marijuana's primary
cannabinoids, are both cancer killers.
No, I'm not talking about using marijuana to
help manage cancer's effects. It's actually anti-
cancer.
Recent research out of Spain suggests that THC,
marijuana's psychoactive ingredient, kills brain
cancer cells. Study co-author Guillermo Velasco
claims that when THC was applied to cancerous
brain tissue, the cancer cells were killed while healthy cells were left alone.
CBD apparently does the same; a pair of scientists from California Pacific Medical Center
in San Francisco demonstrated the
cannabinoid's ability to stop metastasis in many
kinds of aggressive cancer.
Imagine if this plant were discovered in a jungle
two weeks ago. What would the news be
saying? The CBD article goes as far as to say the
breakthrough could "potentially alter the fatality
of the disease forever." The lack of media
coverage for this is astounding, but that doesn't
diminish the research.
2. Marijuana triggers neurogenesis.
Layman's terms: It leads to brain cell growth.
Wait....marijuana is supposed to kill brain cells,
right?
Wrong.
The roots of the marijuana-kills-brain-cells myth
are deep despite the lack of credible evidence.
The original study supporting this notion is
questionable at best and recent research
suggests exactly the opposite.
In 2005, a study showed cannabinoids' ability to
promote neurogenesis in the adult
hippocampus, the brain region responsible for
many important brain functions including
mood and memory. The authors also cited anti-
anxiety and anti-depressant effects that
accompany the neurogenesis. This explains why
people across California, Colorado, Washington
and other marijuana-friendly states often turn
to the herb for a mood-boost instead of
pharmaceutical drugs. It also supports research
that marijuana helps improve cognitive function
in bipolar disorder patients. This brings us to
our next fact....
3. Suicide rates are lower in areas where
medical marijuana is available.
A Denver state-level study analyzed the
statistical trend of suicide after introduction of
medical marijuana.
From the study:
"Our results suggest that the passage of a
medical marijuana law is associated with an
almost 5% reduction in total suicide rate, an
11% reduction in the suicide rate of age 20-29
males, and a 9% reduction in the suicide rate of
30-39 males."
It's interesting this hasn't become mainstream
data in a country so focused on suicide
prevention. Not surprisingly, one of the main
reasons cited by the study's authors for the
decrease was connected to the at-risk
population (20 and 30-something males)
replacing alcohol with marijuana. This data
makes the strictness of Illinois' new medical
marijuana policy even more laughable.
"Don't let usage get out of control! Less people
might commit suicide!"
But what about the physical effects?
4. There is zero evidence that marijuana
causes significant lung damage.
While vaporization is always touted as the safest
method of marijuana ingestion, the largest
study of its kind suggested marijuana-only
smoking is harmless as well:
"We hypothesized that there would be a
positive association between marijuana use and
lung cancer, and that the association would be
more positive with heavier use. What we found
instead was no association at all, and even
some suggestion of a protective effect."
The above words come from UCLA Medical
Doctor Donald Tashkin, author of the study and
marijuana researcher of more than 30 years.
Considering the tar in marijuana smoke was
found to contain as many harmful carcinogens
as cigarette smoke, this study actually
strengthens the notion that marijuana is anti-
cancer. The plant itself seems to have an
offsetting effect for the harmful properties of smoke.
5. There are two completely different types
of marijuana, both with different effects on
the user.
One of the biggest mistakes made by people
who first try marijuana is immediately thinking
that it's "not for them." It certainly isn't for
everyone, but what if they just tried the wrong
kind?
There are hundreds of different strains of
marijuana, tagged with names like Blue Dream,
OG Kush, Trainwreck or Pineapple. All of these
are categorized as "Sativa" or "Indica." Here's a
simple-as-possible explanation on the
difference:
Sativas are usually day-time strains, used to
enhance the experience of social events, time in
nature or listening to new music. Caregivers
often recommend sativa strains for patients
seeking relief from depression, PTSD, fatigue
and some types of anxiety and pain. Some
patients even report positive effects on ADHD
while medicating with sativa strains. Although
sativas produce an enjoyable effect, they usually
are the culprit for an inexperienced user
"tweaking out" during one of their first times
smoking.
Indicas are often smoked at night due to their
narcotic effect on the user. Indica strains are
perfect for users suffering from any type of
pain, nausea or anxiety. They're also preferable
for novice users as they acclimate themselves to
the herb. This variety is popular for meditation
or yoga due to its mind-calming qualities.
Marijuana isn't for everyone. Nothing is for
everyone.
But should we be throwing those it is for in
cages?
I dare you to say yes.
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