marijuana •

Marijuana Is Only Linked to Gum Disease

June 4, 2016 By Angelina Stapp

BEACON TRANSCRIPT – Researchers found that marijuana is only linked to gum disease, so that’s good news for all “vegetarians” out there. According to a new study on Mary Jane, long-term use of marijuana is not associated with significant health problems. However, some users might develop periodontal diseases, but that’s pretty much it.

Marijuana use causes dry mouth, which can lead to gum disease.

The research was conducted in New Zealand. Scientists studied 1,037 New Zealanders from birth up to the age of 38. The group consisted of both marijuana users and non-users. The team then measured the physical health of the subjects, looking at lung function, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, blood sugar, systemic inflammation, body weight, and dental health.

Long story short, the analysis showed the same quality of health in both marijuana users and non-marijuana users, with the exception of gum disease.

The 1,037 study volunteers were born between 1972 and 1973, and about 700 of them admitted to using marijuana. Researchers looked at how the 20-year use of cannabis influenced the physical health of those individuals. But their physical health data proved that they weren’t at more risk of developing diseases than their counterparts who did not use marijuana.

Although there was an increased incidence of developing a periodontal disease, the study can’t prove that cannabis causes gum disease. But it can’t be associated with tobacco smoking, alcohol use or poor dental hygiene, either. The answer might lie in the fact that long-term marijuana use causes dry mouth, which can lead to gum disease.

The results came quite as a surprise for the team of scientists who were sure to find more evidence to give marijuana a bad rep. The findings are striking when looking at how tobacco leads to health decline. Tobacco use is associated with a wide array of diseases, because of its effect on lung function, cholesterol levels, glucose levels, periodontal health, and much more. This while marijuana is only linked to gum disease.

Although the data is reassuring for marijuana users, the team points at how pot users smoke just a few joints over the course of a day, but tobacco users can go through a whole pack or two of cigarettes in a day. This being said, the study might not be sufficiently relevant. A long-term use of more than 20 years has yet to be conducted. Marijuana may still have adverse effects on physical health if smoked for more than twenty years.

IMAGE SOURCE: Pixabay

Sleep Deprivation can leave you with the Munchies

March 5, 2016 By Angelina Stapp

Sleep deprivation and junk food can have the same effect as pot.

BEACON TRANSCRIPT – A new study found a strong link between sleep issues, overeating and weight gain. According to this study, sleep deprivation can leave you with the munchies, triggering the same cannabinoid receptors in your brain as marijuana.

Now, we all know that feeling we get if we didn’t sleep enough or if we have trouble falling asleep. It’s just a case of insomnia; better stay on top of it until it goes away. And what’s the best way to get rid of any bad dreams and insomnia? How about a warm glass of milk accompanied by some Cheetos and crackers and maybe some nachos with a little bit of sauce.

Well, it seems that our midnight food-related escapades have something to do with our weight problems. And it all boils down one simple equation: trouble falling asleep? Then one more hour of staying awake costs you approximately 15 calories which you can get from basically anything. But an empty bag of chips means that you’ve eaten more calories than you can burn off.

Now, on to the sciency part. The team of scientists who has conducted this sleep-related study wanted to see if there is any link between sleep quality and food quality.

And so, the team of researchers invited 14 volunteers to participate in a sleep study. All the volunteers had ages between 18 and 30 years, and none of them had previous sleep-related issues.

The members were split into two groups: the first group was allowed to get a good night’s sleep (circa 8-8.5 hours) while the other group sleep deprived (interrupted sleep, approximately 4.5 hours).

This treatment continued for the next four nights. After the sleep was over, the participants received two meals and had unrestricted access to either healthy snacks or junk food.

Keep in mind that the scientists were continuously monitoring the level of endocannabinoids in their blood. At the end of the study, the researchers found out that once the ban on snack was over, the participants who were kept awake ate twice as many unhealthy snacks than those who had a good night’s sleep.

Moreover, upon taking a closer look at the level of endocannabinoids, the team has discovered that snacks consumed due to sleep issues open up the same receptors as marijuana or cannabis.

Although the research project was small, it managed to demonstrate the importance of a good night’s sleep, especially if someone already has weigh-related issues.

In conclusion, sleep deprivation can leave you with the munchies and the munchies can nix your dream of wearing that new bathing suit this summer.

Photo credits:pexels

Marijuana does not Cause Mood Swings and Depression

February 20, 2016 By Clayton Meason

The latest studies have shown that there is no direct link between marijuana, mood swings and depression.

BEACON TRANSCRIPT – Although the topic is still under a lot of debate, it would seem that more and more studies emerge in order to refute the latest fad in marijuana-bashing theories according to which pot users can experience mood swings, depression and even schizophrenia. Marijuana does not cause mood swings and depression according to the latest research conducted by a team of psychiatrists.

Like any other substance used for a long time, marijuana can also cause dependence. But this is not what the study was meant to debunk. In fact, the team of psychiatrists in charge of this project wanted to prove once and for all that marijuana does not cause depression, anxiety, mood swings or schizophrenia.

In order to achieve their goal, the medical researchers used the health data collected by the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Approximately 35.000 adults participated in this national survey.

The next step was to determine the prevalence of marijuana users during 2001 and 2002, a parameter which they later cross-referenced with the number of mental cases registered between 2004 and 2005.

Naturally, the team had to take precautions in order to ensure that the results aren’t botched. After taking into account all possible factors such as medical history, family history and socio-demographic factors. In the end, the team has discovered that there is nothing linking marijuana use to mood swings or depression.

However, the team declared that we shouldn’t take the study’s results for granted. Although they were unable to discover a direct connection between marijuana use and mental disorders, they did find something not entirely unexpected.

According to Mark Olfson, the lead author of the study, recurrent use of marijuana can, in time, lead to the use of other substances such as alcohol, tobacco or more potent drugs. In an official email, the lead author concluded that this discovery raises another concern regarding alcohol. He stated that if cannabis abuse or dependence can cause the patient to turn his attention towards other substances, so can alcohol.

A team of scientists from the Columbia University declared that marijuana does not cause mood swings or depression. The study did not manage to address previous theories regarding the link between marijuana abuse and schizophrenia.

But, according to Keith Humphreys, from Stanford University, who was not involved in the study, the facts in the latter case are still vague and under a lot of heavy debate.

Does marijuana cause mood swings, depression or anxiety? Certainly not, according to the study performed by the Columbia University. However, the study does voice a concern in the area of addiction and misuse.

Photo credits:www.pixabay.com

Chronic Marijuana Use can Impede Cognitive Functions

February 2, 2016 By Clayton Meason

A new study point out that chronic marijuana users can experience cognitive issues when they enter their 40s or 50s.

BEACON TRANSCRIPT – It is nothing new under the sun that the idea of legalizing marijuana sparks debates. Everybody comes in to throw their two cents in. Some are in favor of legalizing the recreational drug while others believe that his step could be harmful. A recent study has revealed that chronic marijuana use can impede cognitive functions, such as long-term memory and verbal skills.

Although some states have legalized medicinal marijuana, the debate regarding legalizing the drug for recreational use is still out there. Naturally, more and more studies sprout out of the blue in order to prove that marijuana, along with other recreational drugs are bad for us and for our health (we keep hearing Mackey’s voice here).

One of this studies was performed by a team of medical scientists from University of Lausanne, in Switzerland. According to Doctor Reto Auer, the cognitive skills of a chronic marijuana user begin to decrease as the dose increases. Moreover, it would seem the study stresses out the fact this memory decline becomes acuter as the consumer makes his grand entrance into the middle age.

Although the study failed to point out that chronic exposure is, we can safely assume that you won’t be at risk of cognitive decline if you’ve tried puffing from a joint one or twice.

Now, on to the facts. The doctor and his team of medical researchers declared that they did not expect to find such a strong bond between marijuana usage and cognitive degeneration. According to their findings, chronic users who are not in their 40s or 50s may experience long-term memory issues.

The team also pointed out that for every 5 additional years of smoking pot, a patient has a high chance of developing memory-related issues. In order to test out their theory, the team of scientists enrolled a couple of volunteers. The results showed that patients who used to be chronic consumers have a 50 percent chance of memorizing one less word from a list containing 15 words.

A team of scientists from Switzerland discovered that chronic marijuana use can impede cognitive functions. Moreover, according to their statements, the result remained the same even after they took into account other factors such as smoking, drinking or poor diets.

In the end, Doctor Auer said that this study should not be taken for granted because it does not actually prove that marijuana usage can, in fact, lead to long-term memory issues. He also states that although the study failed to show concrete results, it should be taken into consideration when talking about the legalization of marijuana.

Photo credits:www.pixabay.com

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