![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by stjames on October 22, 2000, at 19:24:51
Pubdate: Fri, 20 Oct 2000
Source: Independent (UK)
Copyright: 2000 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact: letters@independent.co.uk
Address: 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DL
Website: http://www.independent.co.uk/
>From WebBooks http://www.paston.co.uk/users/webbooks/webhome.html
Author: Marie Woolf, Chief Political CorrespondentCANNABIS LESS HARMFUL THAN ASPIRIN, SAYS SCIENTIST
Cannabis is a safer drug than aspirin and can be used long-term without
serious side effects, says a book by a leading Oxford scientist.The Science of Marijuana, by Dr Leslie Iversen of Oxford University's
department of pharmacology, found many "myths" surrounding marijuana use,
such as extreme addictiveness, or links with mental illness or infertility
are not supported by science.He also found cannabis is an inherently "safe drug" which does not lead to
cancer, infertility, brain damage or mental illness. Legalisation of the
drug for medical conditions should be considered, he says.Dr Iversen's findings will increase pressure on the Government to reopen
the debate about the decriminalisation of marijuana.The author, a fellow of the prestigious Royal Society, found cannabis was
far less toxic than other drugs and had "an impressive record" compared
with heroin, cocaine or tobacco and alcohol.His study showed that the active element of cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC), which made users high, had a lot of potential as a safe drug to
treat Aids patients and people suffering severe pain.He also found "stoned" drivers were less dangerous and able to co-ordinate
than people who were drunk. "By any standards, THC must be considered a
very safe drug both acutely and on long-term exposure," he writes. "The
available animal data are more than adequate to justify its approval as a
human medicine, and indeed it has been approved by the FDA [American drug
authority] for certain limited therapeutic indications."The book says "alarming claims about the harmful effects of long-term
exposure to cannabis" should be "put to rest", and there "is no evidence
the drug causes any impairment in fertility or sexual function in men or
women". He says people who stop using cannabis do not suffer long-term
side-effects."Cannabis does not cause structural damage to the brains of animals as some
reports had claimed, nor is there evidence of long-term damage to the human
brain or other than slight residual impairments in cognitive function after
drug use is stopped." The author says many adverse effects of cannabis are
related to smoking the drug.But cannabis itself did not appear to cause cancer. Compared with alcohol
and cigarettes, which led to more than 100,000 deaths a year, cannabis had
a far better record."Tetrahydrocannabinol is a very safe drug," he said. "Despite the
widespread illicit use of cannabis here are very few if any instances of
people dying from an overdose. Even such apparently innocuous medicines as
aspirin and related steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds are not safe."Thousands of people die every year because of the tendency of these drugs
to cause catastrophic gastric bleeding."Keith Hellawell, the drug tsar, also agrees cannabis use does not lead to
heroin addiction.
Posted by pullmarine on October 22, 2000, at 21:34:14
In reply to UK : Cannabis Less Harmful Than Aspirin, Says Scie, posted by stjames on October 22, 2000, at 19:24:51
All of the above is just great, but....
> I have been taking Lustral as Zoloft is known in UK on and off for over three years. I was admitted to a local in-patient hospital three weeks ago and while there was seriously advised not to smoke any cannabis at all while on these drugs or while depressed. A number of people in the hospital with me were there due to paranoia bought on by cannabis addiction. Don't get me wrong I've smoked for well over 12 years but have found my anxiety has begun to reduce since stopping (no mean feat in itself actually). I would discourage the use of any other mood altering substances legal or otherwise whilst trying to stablise yourself mentally.john
ps. this is not my writing.
Posted by stjames on October 22, 2000, at 21:48:32
In reply to Re: UK : Cannabis.... reply taken from a previous , posted by pullmarine on October 22, 2000, at 21:34:14
I find my anexity much less when I smoke Cannabis. I do
whole heartly agree that those with mental illness
and on psyco meds should tread carefully with illicits.The information from this book is in the context of the general
population and not specific to those with mental illness.james
Posted by Buffet on October 24, 2000, at 1:19:38
In reply to UK : Cannabis Less Harmful Than Aspirin, Says Scie, posted by stjames on October 22, 2000, at 19:24:51
Here are my thoughts on some of these findings...
>found many "myths" surrounding marijuana use,
> such as extreme addictiveness, or links with mental illness or infertility
> are not supported by science.
I agree somewhat with the infetility part, as this is not proven. The addictiveness still shouldn't be overlooked, even though its not 'extreme'. I do believe there is no withdrawal symptoms with occasional use.
> He also found cannabis is an inherently "safe drug" which does not lead to
> cancer, infertility, brain damage or mental illness. Legalisation of the
> drug for medical conditions should be considered, he says.Probably no brain damage, especially when used in a manner other than smoking (carbon monoxide, etc.). Will not cause any mental illness, unless abused, and these could include - depression and mental addiction, apathy and boredom.
> Dr Iversen's findings will increase pressure on the Government to reopen
> the debate about the decriminalisation of marijuana.
Still not sure I agree with total decriminalization. Schedule one? Absolutely not!
> The author, a fellow of the prestigious Royal Society, found cannabis was
> far less toxic than other drugs and had "an impressive record" compared
> with heroin, cocaine or tobacco and alcohol.
Umm, i think it is definitely safer than alcohol, and the others.
> His study showed that the active element of cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol
> (THC), which made users high, had a lot of potential as a safe drug to
> treat Aids patients and people suffering severe pain.True
> He also found "stoned" drivers were less dangerous and able to co-ordinate
> than people who were drunk.I found myself unable to drive the speed limit because it scared me. It seemed so fast when under the influence of cannabis. This leads me to believe that pot slows reaction time somehow (just like alcohol), but is still a little safer because it does not make me more agressive and feel invincible like alcohol does. Still dangerous to drive on though.
> Keith Hellawell, the drug tsar, also agrees cannabis use does not lead to
> heroin addiction.I don't think it has anything to do with heroin addiction. However, when I used to use it, I did enjoy opium/pot combo.
It is still a VERY powerful mind altering drug. It needs to be treated with respect. And, I did find it a little bit addictive. It made me more anxious and paranoid when on it, but those effects waned after the high.
Just my 2 cents,
Buffet
Posted by pullmarine on October 24, 2000, at 15:36:14
In reply to Re: UK : Cannabis Less Harmful Than Aspirin, Says Scie, posted by Buffet on October 24, 2000, at 1:19:38
>However, when I used to use it, I did enjoy opium/pot combo.
>
How in the world did u get your hands on opium, and have you read OPIUM, by J. Cocteau?JOhn
Posted by Buffet on October 24, 2000, at 16:52:01
In reply to Re: UK : Cannabis Less Harmful Than Aspirin, Says Scie, posted by pullmarine on October 24, 2000, at 15:36:14
>
> >However, when I used to use it, I did enjoy opium/pot combo.
> >
>
>
> How in the world did u get your hands on opium, and have you read OPIUM, by J. Cocteau?
>
> JOhn
I know this is way off topic so I want to make it very cleaar that I do not advocate the use of opium, poppies, or any other form of opiate.I got it from dried poppies. Craft stores used to carry them. Made them into a tea, or powdered and ingested. Actual opium tar (the resin that exudes from the poppy head) is hard to come by unless your growing them yourself, or live in another country. When one dries poppies, as for making wreaths etc., the opium gets dried right along with it and often little brown blobs of opium will be stuck to the outside of the dried pod. So technically, as long as your possesing dried poppies for making a bouquet of dried flowers, you're allowed to posses a schedule II drug. Ingesting opium this way is identical to smoking it, just lasts longer but does not hit you as hard.
------ > Again, I do not advocate the use of poppies in any manner. They are addictive (VERY), and are illegal when made into straw (crushed up) as a shedule two drug. Again, the addiction sucks, however if your a heroin addict I've heard they can be beneficial in coming clean.
And yes ive read the book. It is the one with a reddish pink poppy flower just starting to come of its casing on the front cover, right? Interesting...
Posted by laural on October 26, 2000, at 15:15:03
In reply to Re: UK : Cannabis Less Harmful Than Aspirin, Says Scie, posted by Buffet on October 24, 2000, at 16:52:01
i have words to say about cannabis--my thoughts are exactly as who'sever words pullmarine borrowed. i have to find my research but i'll get back to you. i think its very important and detrimental towards seratonin uptake in some way, i forget how but will post my research as soon as i figure out where i put it-laural
Posted by MarkinBoston on October 26, 2000, at 15:18:54
In reply to Re: UK : Cannabis Less Harmful Than Aspirin, Says Scie, posted by Buffet on October 24, 2000, at 16:52:01
> I got it from dried poppies. Craft stores used to carry them.
An image popped into my mind of a man at a craft store, hands flailing, "Oh, these are ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS for my dried flower arrangements and pot-pourri!"
I had a friend quit smoking pot after many years due to anxiety side-effects. She's not a good airplane traveler either and takes benzo's for flying.
Posted by JahL on October 26, 2000, at 18:50:35
In reply to cannabis etc, posted by laural on October 26, 2000, at 15:15:03
> i have words to say about cannabis--my thoughts are exactly as who'sever words pullmarine borrowed. i have to find my research but i'll get back to you. i think its very important and detrimental towards seratonin uptake in some way, i forget how but will post my research as soon as i figure out where i put it-laural
Jeez.....I have a chronic marijuana habit (not addicted-just pathologically bored with nothing better to do) Previously I have enjoyed complete remission on serotonin drugs (ONLY) which has disappeared as quickly as it come about.
I,ve never, for a day, refrained from smoking whilst trialling meds since I can't sleep w/o it.
Laural, I would be VERY interested to see that rsch. I have often wondered what effect puff might
be having on my meds.My question would be,after 8 yrs of chronic 'abuse', how long until serotonin drugs might be permitted to work properly? (I know pot stays in yr system for about a month)
Anyone?
Ta,
Jah.
Posted by pullmarine on October 26, 2000, at 21:34:13
In reply to Re: UK : Cannabis Less Harmful Than Aspirin, Says Scie, posted by Buffet on October 24, 2000, at 16:52:01
> >
> > >However, when I used to use it, I did enjoy opium/pot combo.
> > >
> >
> >
> > How in the world did u get your hands on opium, and have you read OPIUM, by J. Cocteau?
> >
> > JOhn
>
> I know this is way off topic so I want to make it very cleaar that I do not advocate the use of opium, poppies, or any other form of opiate.
>
> I got it from dried poppies. Craft stores used to carry them. Made them into a tea, or powdered and ingested. Actual opium tar (the resin that exudes from the poppy head) is hard to come by unless your growing them yourself, or live in another country. When one dries poppies, as for making wreaths etc., the opium gets dried right along with it and often little brown blobs of opium will be stuck to the outside of the dried pod. So technically, as long as your possesing dried poppies for making a bouquet of dried flowers, you're allowed to posses a schedule II drug. Ingesting opium this way is identical to smoking it, just lasts longer but does not hit you as hard.
>
> ------ > Again, I do not advocate the use of poppies in any manner. They are addictive (VERY), and are illegal when made into straw (crushed up) as a shedule two drug. Again, the addiction sucks, however if your a heroin addict I've heard they can be beneficial in coming clean.
>
> And yes ive read the book. It is the one with a reddish pink poppy flower just starting to come of its casing on the front cover, right? Interesting...
Posted by Buffet on October 27, 2000, at 3:04:30
In reply to (np) Is a prescription needed for insulin?, posted by pullmarine on October 26, 2000, at 21:34:13
If one was to obtain insulin without a prescription, why would one use the insulin, especially if one had no need for insulin? There is only one other reason that I could think of. Please clarify your intent, and then if I can find an answer, I'll let you know.
Buffet
Posted by pullmarine on October 27, 2000, at 21:34:07
In reply to Is a prescription needed for insulin? uh, why ask?, posted by Buffet on October 27, 2000, at 3:04:30
I read an article claiming that body builders use insulin and I was wondering how the hell they get it?
John
Posted by Buffet on October 29, 2000, at 1:15:52
In reply to Re: Is a prescription needed for insulin? uh, why ask?, posted by pullmarine on October 27, 2000, at 21:34:07
> I read an article claiming that body builders use insulin and I was wondering how the hell they get it?
>
> JohnReally? OK, now I'm interested. Isn't possible to, ummmm, die from an insulin OD? That's why I'm careful what I say around here. As to how you get it without a prescription, I have no idea. But, it really shouldn't be that hard to get. Probably over one of the internet pharms, and I doubt they will double check on a 'script' for insulin. But, let's not do it, because, i think that would be illegal. - : ).
Posted by Racer on October 29, 2000, at 20:50:41
In reply to Re: Is a prescription needed for insulin? uh, why ask?, posted by Buffet on October 29, 2000, at 1:15:52
In most of the world, you buy the needles OTC, and need a scrip for the insulin. Here, though, you need a scrip for the needles, and the insulin itself is usually otc -- but there are lots of kinds, and a dr usually writes the scrip for which type it is you need. Not hard to get the stuff, but you better already know exactly which sort you need. We've actually had trouble WITH a scrip recently! Pharm gave us hell, since they didn't know the sort we needed off hand...
Posted by S. Howard on November 3, 2000, at 21:47:53
In reply to Re: Is a prescription needed for insulin? uh, why ask?, posted by Buffet on October 29, 2000, at 1:15:52
No no, forget the insulin, it's too dangerous. If I remember correctly, Sunny Von Bulow (an exceedingly rich heiress, if that was before your time) used to inject insulin for weight loss and managed to put herself into an irreversible coma. I guess money doesn't always buy happiness, eh?
Posted by kazoo on November 9, 2000, at 0:59:51
In reply to Re: Is a prescription needed for insulin? uh, why ask?, posted by S. Howard on November 3, 2000, at 21:47:53
>
> No no, forget the insulin, it's too dangerous. If I remember correctly, Sunny Von Bulow (an exceedingly rich heiress, if that was before your time) used to inject insulin for weight loss and managed to put herself into an irreversible coma. I guess money doesn't always buy happiness, eh?^^^^^^^^^
Hear! Hear!
Everybody knows that CLAUS, the PIG, did it!
"Reversal of Fortune," my hiney!kazoo!
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.