questor wrote:
Yes, numerous studies and tests have proven that smoking weed does damage the brain. It has also been found to cause behavior problems, like booze and other drugs do. In addition Marijuana also does permanent damage to the sperm and egg cells of the reproductive tract, and can affect ones sperm levels, as well as the ability to "perform." Like booze, it also impairs thinking and physical ability, so one is not safe behind the wheel, or operating any kind of equipment.
The study in question used chimpanzees fitted with gas masks filled only with marijuana smoke (i.e. no supplemental O2) for continuous durations of up to 15 minutes. After being exposed to such treatments at length, the chimps developed brain damage. I can't remember the name of the study exactly, but I do believe it was one of the few studies Anslinger paid for that actually helped his case, albeit through fraudulent practices. There is no known irreversible side effect to smoking marijuana, as well as no known deaths.
I will have to follow up on the reproductive health issue. Odd that I haven't heard this objection, but I will look into it.
And no, you should not drive high, on anything, ever.
That all being said, weed is fun, but I feel that it helps just as much as it amplifies AS. It calms my irritation with people I don't like being around me, puts a smile on my face and helps me get things done instead of getting stuck in the small stuff.
It will most likely not help you get out of your head, in fact it will make that worse although some strains have been known to be more social than others with some rare phenos supposedly enhancing social behavior (haven't found this herb yet...). The paranoia can be no fun at times, too. I have experienced negative effects on my desire to flap, still able to keep it private, though.
There are 61 medicinally viable compounds found within cannabis called cannabinoids, with THC being the most famous. I have started looking into how different cannabinoid profiles can be used to accurately predict the medicinal value of particular strains of marijuana. This is still the cutting edge of marijuana research and governmental blocks against institutional study in the United States and abroad make it very difficult to properly conduct the studies that can unlock the full potential of the plant. THC is the most psychoactive compound while CBD tends to favor the body buzzes that pain patients can use.
To get reliable medications you would need to live in a medical state or in a tolerant country, which is important if you find a strain that works very well for you. Your age makes this all the more touchy, especially to me. I didn't start smoking until I was 27, so I can't tell you what effects it could have on a developing brain.
Bison