Study: Marijuana might cause new cell growth in the brain

[Freedomfried]

A synthetic chemical similar to the active ingredient in marijuana makes new cells grow in rat brains. What is more, in rats this cell growth appears to be linked with reducing anxiety and depression. The results suggest that marijuana, or its derivatives, could actually be good for the brain.

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A previous study showed that the antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac) also increases new cell growth, and the results indicated that it was this cell growth that caused Prozac’s anti-anxiety effect. Zhang wondered whether this was also the case for the cannabinoid, and so he tested the rats for behavioural changes.

When the rats who had received the cannabinoid were placed under stress, they showed fewer signs of anxiety and depression than rats who had not had the treatment. When neurogenesis was halted in these rats using X-rays, this effect disappeared, indicating that the new cell growth might be responsible for the behavioural changes.

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8155

[sandrakae]

1. Pity it didn't work for President Bush.

[jjmalonejr]

2. He was a coke fiend, not a pot head

Big difference

[sandrakae]

4. Thanks for clearing that up.

[jjmalonejr]

7. I'm sorry, I forgot what we were talking about.

Damn this short term memory loss.

[Fridays Child]

3. Oh, but it did.

He now has two brain cells. :bounce:

[Elidor]

5. If you'll excuse me, I have to go grow my brain a bit larger...

[GreenArrow]

6. but . . . but . . .but . . .

that skillet . . . and the frying egg...

[bamacrat]

8. YAY!!!!!!!!

Lets just hope people in power start to realize that it is not bad.