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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AMD on January 3, 2005, at 21:15:45
I've found occasional use of marijuana -- I'm very sensitive to it, so small doses usually are enough -- seem to ameliorate any mania or anxiety I'm having.
The problem is it makes me completely stupid. I can barely finish a sentence before forgetting what I was talking about -- I mean, seriously, I become the stereotype of the spaced-out pot head. Probably because I have very little tolerance for the drug.
I suspect, then, that marijuana affects the temporal lobe. The question is, are these effects permanent or cumulative? I smoked last night and I am still a bit unable to concentrate and recall words well. I hope this passes! Am I inviting a learning disorder by relying on THC even in only occasional doses? Or memory loss now or later in life? How damaging is pot, exactly, to memory over the long term? Have I just killed off a significant portion of my hippocampus?
TIA,
amd
Posted by Willyee on January 3, 2005, at 23:28:27
In reply to Marijuana and mania, anxiety, posted by AMD on January 3, 2005, at 21:15:45
> I've found occasional use of marijuana -- I'm very sensitive to it, so small doses usually are enough -- seem to ameliorate any mania or anxiety I'm having.
>
> The problem is it makes me completely stupid. I can barely finish a sentence before forgetting what I was talking about -- I mean, seriously, I become the stereotype of the spaced-out pot head. Probably because I have very little tolerance for the drug.
>
> I suspect, then, that marijuana affects the temporal lobe. The question is, are these effects permanent or cumulative? I smoked last night and I am still a bit unable to concentrate and recall words well. I hope this passes! Am I inviting a learning disorder by relying on THC even in only occasional doses? Or memory loss now or later in life? How damaging is pot, exactly, to memory over the long term? Have I just killed off a significant portion of my hippocampus?
>
> TIA,
> amdI know there is debate on the overall safety of aspartme,or however its spelled.
However i have witnessed on occasion a few equals packs,the kind found in the seven eleven can alleiviate some of the stupor,so your mind is stimulated a bit as your body feels the sedative effects,just a thought.
Posted by AMD on January 4, 2005, at 0:06:25
In reply to Re: Marijuana and mania, anxiety, posted by Willyee on January 3, 2005, at 23:28:27
Where did the aspartame reference come from? I didn't mention that anywhere...
Posted by Wildman on January 4, 2005, at 6:28:19
In reply to Marijuana and mania, anxiety, posted by AMD on January 3, 2005, at 21:15:45
I've been smoking pot almost daily for the last 20 years. I credit it with being the only thing that I know of that can help me to settle down when I get all wound up and can't sit still.
It helps me to focus on the task at hand and to ignore other stimuli - drives my wife nuts when I am working on a project on the house and she says something and I just don't hear it - I am too focused on the project.
It can make you feel stupid, but sometimes that's just what you need temporarily - to forget all the whirlwind of activities and priorities and deadlines....
If you are super sensitive to it, make sure you have some kind of way to only smoke a tiny bit at a time. Then wait for 30 mins to see if you got the effect you wanted.
As far as inviting a learning disorder, I am skeptical of this. I have two bachelor's degrees
(one in electrical engineering) and have a very fast-paced job (IT geek) that requires me to learn complicated solutions to our system problems almost daily. Smoking pot in large quantities was what I did to be able to focus on the insane amount of material that I had to learn in engineering school. Making detailed drawings of circuits, formulas, derivations, all that good stuff was made possible by pot - usually I am too easily distracted to sit for 8-10 hours a day to STUDY.As far as health effects go, I am more concerned about my lungs than my brain. I _really_ don't think there are long-term cognitive problems that you will develop as a result of smoking pot.
The stuff just suits me.
Wildman
Posted by Willyee on January 4, 2005, at 16:56:06
In reply to Re: Marijuana and mania, anxiety, posted by AMD on January 4, 2005, at 0:06:25
> Where did the aspartame reference come from? I didn't mention that anywhere...
No you dident,i just should have made mine clearer.I had a few experieances with weed,and found the same problem of a stupour,a mind dulling effect.One time just cause i happen to have it,i popped under my tongue a few packets of equal,as i lay calmed from the thc,i felt my ears pop,and i could hear clearly,then my mind kinda turned on,so what i was saying was a few packets of equal since its a brain stimulant might balance the stupour from the weed.When it worked for me it was great,zero anxiety,full body relaxtion,and my mind was perectly awake,i since have not tried it too often as my state is a very very restrictive one,and i dont feel like having my meds given to me from behind bars.
Posted by AMD on January 4, 2005, at 21:10:58
In reply to Re: Marijuana and mania, anxiety, posted by Wildman on January 4, 2005, at 6:28:19
Wildman,
I'm glad you have a good experience with it! I'm in the same sort of fast-paced, technology-based field, where excellent thought and communication skills are key. I used to drink to get the effect you get from marijuana, but alcohol no longer works for me. I also don't want to make MJ a habit (jumping from one addition to another), but as an emergency bring-me-down or calm-me-down drug, hey, there are worse things to take! ;)
amd
Posted by AMD on January 4, 2005, at 21:25:22
In reply to Re: Marijuana and mania, anxiety, posted by Willyee on January 4, 2005, at 16:56:06
With regard to aspertame, I found cutting it completely out of my diet did wonders for my health. I haven't taken it in 6-7 years now, and I've gained about 50 pounds (I was /tiny/ before, and now I'm lean but healthy). I also used to get migranes and random dizziness and those also both stopped after refraining from diet sodas (or other aspertame containing products) for a few months.
a
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