Thursday, March 31, 2016

Marijuana Addiction Linked to Genetics

Marijuana, also called weed, herb, pot, Mary Jane, is a greenish gray mixture of dried shredded leaves and flowers of Cannabis. Researchers have found a genetic link between three genetic markers and symptoms of marijuana dependence. Marijuana dependence is defined as the inability to stop using the drug even though it interferes with many aspects of their lives, such as relationships or their jobs. The study demonstrated a relation between a marijuana dependence and depression. It is estimated that 9% of people who use marijuana will become dependent on it. In a study conducted by Gelernter and his colleagues a total of 14,000 Americans were analyzed for marijuana dependence. Results demonstrated that between 18 and 36 percent of the people in this study had marijuana dependence. Previous studies have found that marijuana use early in life is linked to an increased risk of Schizophrenia. A gene called CSMD1 that is involved with the growth of the central nervous system has been linked to Schizophrenia. Marijuana dependence, depression, and schizophrenia all might share some genetic factors. 

I found this article to be very interesting and informative. I have always believed that a person cannot become addicted or dependent of marijuana but this article demonstrates evidence that I was wrong. I think this article demonstrates a lot of information and shows that one can have a marijuana dependence. More study needs to be conducted to demonstrate how they came to the conclusion and to demonstrate more evidence for their reasoning behind the study. 

3 comments:

  1. Just to make sure i read this correctly, is this article stating that smoking the devils lettuce leads to depression? If so, then I don't think these researched have EVER smoked.

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  2. This is an interesting article. Stating how marijuana dependency is linked to a gene which is also linked/same factors to Schizophrenia and depression. It does not seem that is is stating it leads to depression but they both have the same factors involved within the genes for them. It is strange stating an increase use of Marijuana during ones younger years leads to Schizophrenia i do not see how it leads to this. But the more research put into this study the more information it will yield in the future.

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  3. I feel that this article needs more results or longer experiments to to be able to make these statements. Marijuana has been used extremely over many years. I can assure you that my parents have used marijuana since they grew up in the 70s. They do not show any signs of schizophrenia( well I hope not). I think this study should be done over and for longer.

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