Pot may protect brain from booze

Marijuana may protect the brain from some of the damage caused by binge drinking, according to a new study.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego performed brain scans on 16- to 19-year-olds in three groups: binge drinkers, binge drinkers who also smoke pot, and those with very little drug or drinking experience.
Binge drinkers showed damage in their white matter. But those who drink and smoke showed more damage than the control group in only three of eight areas of the brain. In seven of the areas, their brains were in better shape than the binge drinkers.
Researchers said in a news release from the Marijuana Project that the result was unexpected.
They said it could be that marijuana somehow stops alcohol from damaging brain cells.
The study was published online by the journal Neurotoxicology and Teratology.

Thanks Lothar!

» more at: www.clickorlando.com

Posted By jamesk at 2009-08-28 11:51:38 permalink | comments

Tags: marijuana alcohol

» More ways to bookmark this page

Mike . : 2013-12-28 00:04:06

If you get a stoner to do this experiment of course they're not going to want to drink or if they do, they're not as prone to binge drink. Why replace a good drug with a crappier one that does damage to the body?

adam. : 2009-09-04 18:44:42

@ snii:

yeah it's dry as crap and I have become addicted to cigarettes and I'm developing alcoholism. I'm the kind of person who has to keep his mind in flux to avoid realizing he's nuts.
now don't tell that to any hired professionals anyone may consult, they will just tell their partners @ Philip Morris International to increase policing donations.

truthgorilla. : 2009-09-02 14:59:33

This is OLD news...saw this in a national academy of sciences study. THC protects brain cells from the fluid(?better terms) breakdown alcohol causes.

guest : 2009-08-31 11:39:55

well republican, that doesnt explain why it's still illegal, republicans dont control everything

republican. : 2009-08-29 10:05:12

because, motley, my conservative comrades and i make money off of criminals, the sickly, and just about everyone directly or indirectly involved in the war on drugs

snii. : 2009-08-28 21:00:17

well. the only reason im drinking right now?
no fuckin weed around...

Sergio. : 2009-08-28 16:57:17

Adam I think they mean that three areas were worse compared to the control (non-smokers/non-drinkers) and 7 were better compared to the binge drinkers who didn't smoke pot.
Excellent news! Oh Cannabis Sativa, what aren't you good for??

cortex expander. : 2009-08-28 15:01:32

The scientist refer to eight areas of the brain...

eight circuits?

I wonder...?

adam. : 2009-08-28 13:24:10

If they tested eight areas of the brain, how can three be worse and seven be better?

And even if three of them were worse in one group, that's just about an even split.

Maybe it's just that smoking pot makes you drink less?

motley. : 2009-08-28 12:00:14

wow .I have an idea why don;t we legalise it.!

The comments posted here do not reflect the views of the owners of this site.