Some marijauna food for thought | Arthritis Information

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As I've said over and over, I don't care what a person injects, inhales, or injests. It's their body. But as I've said before, I don't accept excuses for bad or criminal behavior like, "hey, I was on drugs." Anyway, I know that so much is said about the good qualities of marijauna but like everything else, there is at least two sides, and here is another one. My suggestion, and it's only a kindly suggestion, if you don't have to start another drug, then why start it, especially if it makes you a criminal, but hey, do what you want................LEV

 

Signs of marijuana addiction and abuse

Short-term (immediate) effects of marijuana use

The most common side effects of marijuana are:

Long-term effects of marijuana use

Effects of marijuana on men

Marijuana is the most common drug used by adolescents in America today. Marijuana affects the parts of the brain which controls the sex and growth hormones. In males, marijuana can decrease the testosterone level. Occasional cases of enlarged breasts in male marijuana users are triggered by the chemical impact on the hormone system. Regular marijuana use can also lead to a decrease in sperm count, as well as increases in abnormal and immature sperm. Marijuana is a contributing factor in the rising problem of infertility in males. Young males should know the effects and potential effects of marijuana use on sex and growing process before they decide to smoke marijuana.

Effects of marijuana on women

Just as in males, marijuana affects the female in the part of the brain that controls the hormones, which determines the sequence in the menstrual cycle. It’s been said that females who smoked or used marijuana on a regular basis had irregular menstrual cycles, the female hormones were depressed, and the testosterone level was raised. Even though this effect may be reversible, it may take several months of no marijuana use before the menstrual cycles become normal again.

Mothers who smoke marijuana on a regular basis have been reported of having babies with a weak central nervous system. These babies show abnormal reactions to light and sound, exhibit tremors and startles, and have the high-pitched cry associated with drug withdrawal. Occurring at five times the rate of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Fetal Marijuana Syndrome is a growing concern of many doctors. Furthermore, doctors worry that children born to "pot-head" mothers will have learning disabilities, attention deficits and hormonal irregularities as they grow older, even if there are no apparent signs of damage at birth. Pregnant or nursing mothers who smoke marijuana should talk to their doctors immediately.

signs of Marijuana use

Marijuana, i believe, can help people who can't tolerate other drugs and i wish it could come in a pill form.
 
I had RA from a child and i had horrible anxiety attacks.  I did get smoke pot and it helped with my anxiety and pain.  I felt normal.
 
My sister was hooked on it and said her worst addicctions (besides cocain) was prescription pain killers and that it was easier to get off marijuana.
 
This is one reason i don't use pain killers except ibuprofen, i don't want the addiction.  I saw what prescription pain killers did to her and i don't want it happening to me.
 
I know there are effects to marijuana, like ones about pregnancy, but it isn't different than methotrexate or arava for birth defects.
 
I know that several drugs i have taken etc. in the past also could cause cancer, so this drug isn't much different.
 
I have always been for the medical uses.  Especially after seeing my brother in laws mom who had cancer and how it helped her make it to family get togethers etc. in her final years.
 
I often wonder what people would have said about the drug if it never was an illegal substance.
Well I will admit I do not smoke marijuana.  I did however try it when I was young.  Did not myself like the way it made me feel and never tried it again.
 
But on the lighter side hell half those immediate effects I live with every day and like I said I don't even smoke it. 
 
Also, I wouldn't rule it out if I got to the point where I felt nothing else worked to help releive some of my pain.  I think I would be open to try it.  Like I said if I got to the point where it felt nothing else was working or I was throwing up non stop.
 
Isn't what you posted more of what happens when people use this to just get high for the heck of it?  Or those that smoke a joint a day or something?  Just a question??  Because I understood those who don't (just by reading the other thread) that the small amount they use wouldn't have this effect.  Guess I just have questions that's all. 
[QUOTE=shykymom]  decreased social inhibitions
  • paranoia, hallucinations
    • Are the most hilarious ones on there. Decreased social inhibitions? OMG Have you ever seen a high person? They don't want to get off the couch, let alone be social. That's hysterical. And hallucinations?!?!? It's not a hallucinogen(sp)!

    Lev, you usually site your sources, why didn't you with this one?
    [QUOTE=bubbagump]Marijuana, i believe, can help people who can't tolerate other drugs and i wish it could come in a pill form. More people would have a different view if it was legal. What states is it legal? California, I think is one. Here in IL, they have passed the reps. and it's be reviewed on the senate floor. Also, isn't there certain diseases like cancer you have to have for a prescription? I say if it helps you feel better, go for it. Oh that reminds me, i can't have Vicodin cuz i see things that aren't there.  Mostly large sized men, but they are a black shade like a shadow and they are coming to kill me.
     
    First time it happened cuz the doc gave it to me for pain when i had my kid, then i had it about 10yrs later for my teeth pulled, with that one though i thought my husband was talking to me so i talked back but all he heard was moaning and he wasn't talking to me.  The third time was about 3yrs ago, they gave it to me for my first RA pain and i saw that man again in the doorway of my bedroom.  I cannot use that again.
    I googled it.  On site said there are about 5 states that made it legal to use if a doc perscribes it to you.  But basically it's illegal (federal).  And a state cannot make it legal.  Just in those states if a doctor arranges for you to have it they pretty much leave you alone because the feds are too busy with other things.
     
    Heck morphine is legal if the doc gives it to you.  That stuff really messes with you.  I had it one time after sugery and no thank you.  I would have to be in some very serious pain before I would agree to ever have that again.  (And I know sometimes people are in that kind of pain and it is a blessing then).
     
    Oh and I read they use (MJ) for things like cancer but also MS and other things.
    I thought the thing with mj and pain relief was that you still hurt but are too dozy to care?
    It never did anything for me re pain but it did make me dozy so I stopped......eventually. I'm glad I did, I prefer to keep my head as clear as possible.
     
    Katie
    'Decreased social inhibitions' would stop a high person getting off the couch and socialising. I'm not sure why you are ridiculing that comment?
     
    I have never smoked it, because I have never felt the need to, although I have no idea what the big deal is about it. I have read countless articles regarding it and the effects of using marijuana for medicinal purposes. Side effects are very mild compared to vicodin, codeine, and many other more addictive pain meds by prescription. It has been shown to help with RA pain relief better than and safer than steroids. The morning stiffness and pain are significantly reduced as well. It is not physically addictive and has no drug interactions. There is not one reported case of drug overdose of marijuana, where in other legal pain meds, there are tons. Many pain meds cause personality changes, impairment driving, etc. I just think there are medical purposes for this "much safer" drug that have been written off due to it's bad wrap throughout history.

    I don't know, interesting arguement. I can't say I haven't done worse. The pain pills I am on I have to sign a legal release saying I wont sell them or get them from anyother doc. So I guess if I'm going to use a controlled substance I would like the one that will mess with me less. As long as it works.

    Have you looked at the side effects of ALL the drugs you already take? MTX alone has far worse and more severe side effects than MJ. Then you add the biologics and their side effects and the side effects of the pain and anti-inflammatories and so on and so on far outweigh the risk of smoke marijuana.

    I started smoking pot when I stopped the med's. So, it's been a few years. I smoke daily. It's been the best "drug" I've taken. It doesn't stop the pain but it does help me cope with it much better. It also helps with the stomach issues I'm stuck with at the hands of the RA drugs. I also find it's a great anti-depressant I've ever taken and it's not because it makes me "dozy". It just helps me get by. I still function normally, work full time, am writing a book and do far more than I ever did when I took the RA drugs. I do wish it came in another form and I have heard about the pill that can be prescribed in some states. Until they allow it here in Texas, I guess I'll just have to be a criminal. For me, it's been worth the risk.

    Love and God Bless,
    Vicki I told my husband that I like ultram cuz it made me feel just like Marajuana used to.  Even Paxil is extremely close to the feeling i got on it.
     
    I guess it is hard for those who never used it to judge how it does as a medical drug.  It isn't like other illegal drugs, it's reaction is completely different.
    They give Marinol to elderly ppl who dont eat, gives em the munchies..lol..really! Really I think that everyone has to make their own call on stuff like this because the truth is that you can abuse legal perscription drugs and suffer horrible side effects from them just like you can from marijuana..or might not from marijuana. I do think that a lot of ppl back up the leagalization of medical marijuana just b/c they want to get high and do so legally...but there is some validity to it's medical use and differentiating between to two isnt going to be any better than the whole Vicodin/Soma/Xanax abuse issue going on right now.
    That said..I wouldnt use it illeagally now and if it were leagal I still wouldnt use it because the last thing I need is something that is going to make me lazy and hungry..I do that enough on my own!    I think that the amount used is what makes you lazy and hungry. I don't overeat and I'm damned sure not lazy. I work just as hard as my body allows me to and that's due to RA. Pot has nothing to do with my activity level. Actually, after smoking a little, I'm more active and get more done. I don't think I eat any more than when I don't use it and I haven't gained any weight since I've started.   If I take a pain pill (which I do sometimes do) then I get lazy and want to sleep. I hate pain pills for that reason and take them as little as possible.   

    I think that if you sit and smoke all the time and use it more as a recreational drug then you get sluggish, but for someone who is using it for medicinal purposes, and uses it accordingly, then it does a lot of good.

    I just feel it should be legal. Especially since alcohol is. Believe me, pot is a whole lot safer for everyone and you don't loose control.

    I also agree it's a personal decision. It wasn't an easy one for me to make because I'm married to a police officer. I discussed my decision with my family, including my kids, before I started taking it and I have their full support. My kids are all adults, but even so, they have never seen me smoke. I limit my use to my room where I have privacy. I just can't bring myself to smoke in front of them after all those years of lecturing them about drugs. But, they know I do and have even encouraged me to go to my room when they see I'm having a hard time. My husband is not a hypocrite about it either. He will not arrest anyone just because they have a little pot, but he will in a heart beat if it's cocaine, meth or any other illegal drug. I wont even go into some of the things he's seen at the hands of drunk drivers.   In Texas, less than an ounce is a ticket and I never, ever have more than that. Not even in my room. He and most of his police buddies feel the same way. They also would rather see it legal. They fight far more drinkers but not one has said that pot caused a person to go ballistic on them.

    Love and God Bless,
    Vicki

    Vicki819562008-03-16 11:52:00I tried it as a teen, it makes me really more scattered brain. I do not care if friends use it....makes no dif to me, each to their own. THe prob with it being in the house is that it is illegal.
     
    Whatever floats your boat, I just prefer not to smoke it, don't much care if others do. Heck, I may get to a point where I want to try it again.( Not while looking for a job of course).
    [QUOTE=Vicki81956]
     They fight far more drinkers but not one has said that pot caused a person to go ballistic on them.


    [/QUOTE]
     
    I used to tend bar, and this is true.  We had live music.  Rock and country - fights, misunderstandings, people who simply would not listen or take no for an answer.  Reggae and Deadheads - you could herd them like sheep, docile little lambs you could lead around.  They only drank water, though, so they weren't good for business LOL.  

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