Grasshopper
09-16-2005, 04:48 AM
(1) cannabis can "increase the risk" of respiratory disorders, including lung cancer,
This is carefully worded - the reason for that is because the proof that cannabis smoke actually causes cancer and other breathing problems is very patchy (see our research section). However, it's something to bear in mind and there are several things you can do to reduce any risk there might be. Using a bong or a water pipe in fact removes a large amount of the tars from the smoke and is to be encouraged.
(2) Red eye and increased heart beat
These are certainly signs of (heavy) indulgence, but is it a risk?
Cannabis widens blood vessels (vasodilation). The eyes contain blood vessels so blood vessels in the eyes widen and hence the blood within the vessels is more visible against the white of the eye.
When the vasodilator is metabolized, the blood vessels return to normal and the redeye disappears, it's very similar to blushing, except the link between embarrassment and facial vasodilation is not very well understood.
Cannabis induced redeye is not the same as the redeye caused by inflammation, allergy or injury
The increase in the heart rate is linked to this widening of the blood vessels, The heart beats faster because the pressure is lowered. It's an effort to restore the pressure to normal, part of what's meant by homeostasis. Everything in the body is linked and balanced.
In other words, although D-2k is correct to warn of the effect of redeye, it isn't a serious condition and so shouldn't be listed as a risk.
(3) Paranoia and feeling anxious
Yes, this can happen, especially in inexperienced users or when very stoned. It will pass when the effect wears off. Some people find the effects of cannabis unpleasant at any dose and it may make existing mental problems worse, particularly if they've been caused by using other drugs.
(4) Short term memory and concentration
When stoned, its maybe difficult to concentrate on certain things and this will make it difficult to study for example. These effects go away when the effect wears off.
Some people find being stoned an aid to creativity, particularly in the arts and with music but this is not always the case.
The majority of users experience no ill-effects, sleep well and wake calm and clear headed after the acute effects have passed. Despite the warning above that it may be more difficult to perform important tasks that require a clear head or sharp reactions the next day, there is no cannabis equivalent of a hangover.
(5) Risk of accidents
It's good advice not to operate machinery or to drive whilst stoned, although the evidence suggests that the effect on driving isn't as bad as the government would have us believe (see the research library - click here)
(6) Smoking cannabis with tobacco
Note the way they warn of the dangers of smoking cannabis mixed with tobacco, rather than doing the logical thing and advising users to smoke cannabis in its pure state. The problem of course, is because tobacco is legal and cannabis is not and they can't bring themselves to advise people not to use a legal substance when using an illegal one
We can, and we'll do it now. If you're smoking cannabis mixed with tobacco you run the risk of getting addicted to tobacco and of suffering the ill effects of that drug, which definitely do include lung cancer.
This is the most effective bit of harm reduction advice the government could and should give, but is prevented from doing so by it support for the drug war against cannabis
(7) Mixing Cannabis with alcohol
This is a good way to make yourself sick. It's good advice not to mix alcohol with any other drug - but this is a warning about booze, not cannabis really.
(8) Dangers from plastics and aluminum
As long as the cannabis is burned in a proper pipe, there is no problem using plastic buckets and rubber tubes, as long as they don't get hot. The advice not use aluminum drink cans means as improvised pipes. This is because the aluminium vapourises and is dangerous to breath in. It's not a good idea to cook with aluminum pans either for the same reason.
(9) Risk of infections
Infections like hepatitis can, of course, be passed on by many routes, sharing joints is a possible way it could happen, maybe ....
Hepatitis A is passed by the Faecal/oral route, and hepatitis C requires inoculation with infected body fluids, but it usually needs a bit more than a soggy roach.
Is D-2K is really claiming that contracting serious illnesses like hepatitis is a real risk if you use cannabis? It seems an alarmist point to make in all honesty, deserving of a "reefer madness" award.
(10) Smoking around other people
Be considerate - some people don't like the smell of smoke and its not fair to make others breath your smoke
References relating to cannabis causing vasodilatation
Acta Psychiatr Scand 1992 Aug;V 86(2):173-8
"Middle cerebral artery velocity during upright posture after marijuana smoking". Matthew R J, Wilson W H, Humphreys D, Lowe JV, Wiethe K E
J Anal Toxicol 1988 Jul-Aug;12(4):169-75
"Marijuana-laced brownies: behavioral effects, physiologic effects, and urinalysis in humans following ingestion". Cone E J, Johnson RE, Paul BD, Mell LD, Mitchell J
J Chronic Dis 1987;40(2):131-6
"Behavioral factors and blood pressure in black college students". Adams LL, Washburn RA, Haile GT, Kuller LH
Ophthalmology 1980 Mar;87(3):222-8
"Effect of marihuana on intraocular and blood pressure in glaucoma" Merritt JC, Crawford WJ, Alexander PC, Anduze AL, Gelbart SS
Grasshopper
This is carefully worded - the reason for that is because the proof that cannabis smoke actually causes cancer and other breathing problems is very patchy (see our research section). However, it's something to bear in mind and there are several things you can do to reduce any risk there might be. Using a bong or a water pipe in fact removes a large amount of the tars from the smoke and is to be encouraged.
(2) Red eye and increased heart beat
These are certainly signs of (heavy) indulgence, but is it a risk?
Cannabis widens blood vessels (vasodilation). The eyes contain blood vessels so blood vessels in the eyes widen and hence the blood within the vessels is more visible against the white of the eye.
When the vasodilator is metabolized, the blood vessels return to normal and the redeye disappears, it's very similar to blushing, except the link between embarrassment and facial vasodilation is not very well understood.
Cannabis induced redeye is not the same as the redeye caused by inflammation, allergy or injury
The increase in the heart rate is linked to this widening of the blood vessels, The heart beats faster because the pressure is lowered. It's an effort to restore the pressure to normal, part of what's meant by homeostasis. Everything in the body is linked and balanced.
In other words, although D-2k is correct to warn of the effect of redeye, it isn't a serious condition and so shouldn't be listed as a risk.
(3) Paranoia and feeling anxious
Yes, this can happen, especially in inexperienced users or when very stoned. It will pass when the effect wears off. Some people find the effects of cannabis unpleasant at any dose and it may make existing mental problems worse, particularly if they've been caused by using other drugs.
(4) Short term memory and concentration
When stoned, its maybe difficult to concentrate on certain things and this will make it difficult to study for example. These effects go away when the effect wears off.
Some people find being stoned an aid to creativity, particularly in the arts and with music but this is not always the case.
The majority of users experience no ill-effects, sleep well and wake calm and clear headed after the acute effects have passed. Despite the warning above that it may be more difficult to perform important tasks that require a clear head or sharp reactions the next day, there is no cannabis equivalent of a hangover.
(5) Risk of accidents
It's good advice not to operate machinery or to drive whilst stoned, although the evidence suggests that the effect on driving isn't as bad as the government would have us believe (see the research library - click here)
(6) Smoking cannabis with tobacco
Note the way they warn of the dangers of smoking cannabis mixed with tobacco, rather than doing the logical thing and advising users to smoke cannabis in its pure state. The problem of course, is because tobacco is legal and cannabis is not and they can't bring themselves to advise people not to use a legal substance when using an illegal one
We can, and we'll do it now. If you're smoking cannabis mixed with tobacco you run the risk of getting addicted to tobacco and of suffering the ill effects of that drug, which definitely do include lung cancer.
This is the most effective bit of harm reduction advice the government could and should give, but is prevented from doing so by it support for the drug war against cannabis
(7) Mixing Cannabis with alcohol
This is a good way to make yourself sick. It's good advice not to mix alcohol with any other drug - but this is a warning about booze, not cannabis really.
(8) Dangers from plastics and aluminum
As long as the cannabis is burned in a proper pipe, there is no problem using plastic buckets and rubber tubes, as long as they don't get hot. The advice not use aluminum drink cans means as improvised pipes. This is because the aluminium vapourises and is dangerous to breath in. It's not a good idea to cook with aluminum pans either for the same reason.
(9) Risk of infections
Infections like hepatitis can, of course, be passed on by many routes, sharing joints is a possible way it could happen, maybe ....
Hepatitis A is passed by the Faecal/oral route, and hepatitis C requires inoculation with infected body fluids, but it usually needs a bit more than a soggy roach.
Is D-2K is really claiming that contracting serious illnesses like hepatitis is a real risk if you use cannabis? It seems an alarmist point to make in all honesty, deserving of a "reefer madness" award.
(10) Smoking around other people
Be considerate - some people don't like the smell of smoke and its not fair to make others breath your smoke
References relating to cannabis causing vasodilatation
Acta Psychiatr Scand 1992 Aug;V 86(2):173-8
"Middle cerebral artery velocity during upright posture after marijuana smoking". Matthew R J, Wilson W H, Humphreys D, Lowe JV, Wiethe K E
J Anal Toxicol 1988 Jul-Aug;12(4):169-75
"Marijuana-laced brownies: behavioral effects, physiologic effects, and urinalysis in humans following ingestion". Cone E J, Johnson RE, Paul BD, Mell LD, Mitchell J
J Chronic Dis 1987;40(2):131-6
"Behavioral factors and blood pressure in black college students". Adams LL, Washburn RA, Haile GT, Kuller LH
Ophthalmology 1980 Mar;87(3):222-8
"Effect of marihuana on intraocular and blood pressure in glaucoma" Merritt JC, Crawford WJ, Alexander PC, Anduze AL, Gelbart SS
Grasshopper