or just cause noise?


http://webcenter.health.webmd.netscape.com...ntentSRC_nsmain

Intelligence?? I think of it as a given talent and I think 'insight' is more the case. IN fact I find little reason to believe the lasting effect of marijuana use has any beneficial impact on intelligence. But in your link there are descriptions of pyramid cells and the Pineal Gland or Third Eye is also shaped as a pyramid or Pine Cone (see the ancient caduceus now used as a symbol for medical professions). This is why the hats now called dunce caps (pejorative against we 'witches' lol) are shaped like Pyramids - to focus cosmic and other energy to the Thalmi which amplify and distribute this knowledge or energy.

These cells (pyramidal) normally work to excite neighboring cells; using their homemade cannabinoids temporarily allows more information to be processed by lowering the brain's inhibition of excess information processing. By lulling other brain cells, cannabinoids temporarily leave the pyramid cells free to fire away.

Now, researchers at Stanford University in California have found that other type of brain cells -- LTS cells -- can also make cannabinoids.

LTS cells ordinarily keep pyramid cells in check. This process works to guard too much information being processed from pyramidal cells to neighboring cells within the brain region.

But when LTS cells make their own cannabinoids, they tune themselves out from surrounding cells.

As a result, the brain's pyramid cells are temporarily freed from inhibition. They then process excess information to other cells.

The effects can last up to 35 minutes.

Marijuana's active ingredients may behave the same way, latching on to these cannabinoid receptor sites allowing information to be process in an altered way.

I have sometimes been in really concentrated states after smoking weed but it's pretty rare. And no it does not enhance intelligence (maybe makes you think your more intelligent...).

It actually slows you down and, in perennial smokers it dumbs you down. Thus the adjective "recreational" to describe it. Comsumpsion of it should always be under control and moderation; and strictly for its medicinal and/or recreational purposes. It does, on the other hand, brings forth episodes of enlightenment. But only if you are, already, avidly searching for that property; and if you are focused and akin to it.

I took an online IQ test before and after smoking pot (identical questions). Before I smoked I scored 24 points higher... For me at least pot just makes me lazy and eat too much.

Pot gives you bursts of creational energy, which can either be in thought or actions. Often I've found I'll spend a few hours on a project that has little merit other than for testing out ideas e.g. drawings, 3D modelling or programming. The original burst wains and you end up wandering off into other more leisurely activities, like TV lol. At least thats the pattern I've noticed.

I would say it alters perception but not increase what most people would consider IQ.

I read that they found a cannabinoid that promoted the growth of neurons in the brain. I'll try to come back with a link to it. We don't have all those receptors in our brains for cannabinoids for no reason.

Weed seems to allow for a degree of metaprogramming in the brain, which allows one to observe the programs that he/she is running. This is a kind of intelligence. In bringing the focus away from one's compulsory programming and helping him to question authority, it promotes independent thought. The "turning on" aspect of weed allows one to focus on one's nervous system and get in touch with chakras rather than run the program of social competition, it facilitates what could be called neurosomatic intelligence. While under the influence of weed, one definitely loses some cognitive abilities, but when the effect wears off, he can come away more intelligent about himself and the world around him.

QUOTE

I read that they found a cannabinoid that promoted the growth of neurons in the brain. I'll try to come back with a link to it. We don't have all those receptors in our brains for cannabinoids for no reason.

The effect of a certain compound found in a plant rarely gives any indication of the effect of smoking an herb (containing a dozen or even 100's of compounds interacting in unknown ways).

The EndoCannabinoid system is of recent discovery with clinical drugs only recently entering the market and our understanding. I'm working on an article to help better understand the function and interaction of this system and compounds shown to effect it.

Plus, don't forget they found that cannabinoids help prevent alzhiemers disease. It was in all the papers. I don't think it makes you smarter though it may promote neurogenesis under some conditions. So do many other things such as (reportedly) vinpocetine and lithium compounds. The amotivational effects of pot are well known. It causes less or no physical problems compared with alcohol but can be abused. If a person uses it and neglects to do things he/she needs to do then it's a problem. If someone can use it intelligently then it may not be a problem and may be a positive thing allowing the person to attain insight. Most teenagers and young adults will tend to abuse it but is that a good reason to keep it from all adults? It has many medical benefits particularly for patients with cancer, MS, arthritis and a number of other diseases. I think I'll go work on preventing alzhiemers in a moment.

Lol I don't see how cannabinoids help prevent alzheimers...I can't even remember where I put my keys after a bag

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term "bag" research the Volcano vaporizer (it is a fantastic little device that eliminates most of the tar and carcinogens).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4286435.stm

Marijuana may block Alzheimer's

The compound may protect the brain
The active ingredient in marijuana may stall decline from Alzheimer's disease, research suggests.

Scientists showed a synthetic version of the compound may reduce inflammation associated with Alzheimer's and thus help to prevent mental decline.

They hope the cannabinoid may be used to developed new drug therapies.

The research, by Madrid's Complutense University and the Cajal Institute, is published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

The scientists first compared the brain tissue of patients who died from Alzheimer's disease with that of healthy people who had died at a similar age.

They looked closely at brain cell receptors to which cannabinoids bind, allowing their effects to be felt.

They also studied structures called microglia, which activate the brain's immune response.

Microglia collect near the plaque deposits associated with Alzheimer's disease and, when active, cause inflammation.

The researchers found a dramatically reduced functioning of cannabinoid receptors in diseased brain tissue.

This was an indication that patients had lost the capacity to experience cannabinoids' protective effects.

The next step was to test the effect of cannabinoids on rats injected with the amyloid protein that forms Alzheimer's plaques.

Those animals who were also given a dose of a cannabinoid performed much better in tests of their mental functioning.

The researchers found that the presence of amyloid protein in the rats' brains activated immune cells.

However, rats that also received the cannabinoid showed no sign of microglia activation.

Using cell cultures, the researchers confirmed that cannabinoids counteracted the activation of microglia and thus reduced inflammation.

Drug target

Researcher Dr Maria de Ceballos said: "These findings that cannabinoids work both to prevent inflammation and to protect the brain may set the stage for their use as a therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease."

Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "This is important research because it provides another piece of the jigsaw puzzle on the workings of the brain.

"There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, so the identification of another target for drug development is extremely welcome.

"The Alzheimer's Society looks forward to seeing further research being carried out on cannabinoid receptors as drug targets for Alzheimer's disease but would warn the public against taking marijuana as a way of preventing Alzheimer's.

"It is now generally recognised that as well as providing a 'high', long-term use of marijuana can also lead to depression in many individuals."

Different receptors

Harriet Millward, of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said there were two main types of cannabinoid receptor, CR1 and CR2.

"It is CR1 that produces most of the effects of marijuana, including the harmful ones.

Stating a drug has 'brain damaging' effects is probably outdated and simplisitc, IMHO. A more accurate way to describe the residual effects of marijuana consumption on the brain is 're-arranging'. At least one study has shown an increase in neuron density after long-term pot use--in certain areas of the brain. Other areas are observed to decrease in density.

However, certain higher executive functions are most certainly damaged.


As an interesting aside, studies in rats have shown cannabis-induced neurotoxcicity in the Hippocampus can be prevented by anti-oxidants and anti-inflammitories (the two used in the study were aspirin and vitamin E).

Also, damage to cortical neurons seems to be mediated by activation of caspase-3, which theoretically could be supressed at least to some extent by Sesamin, and I believe Vinpocetine and several other nootropics.