Pubdate: Tue, 22 Jul 2014
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Authors: Mehmet Oz, M.D. and Mike Roizen, M.D.
Note: Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of The Dr. Oz Show, and Mike Roizen, 
M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at 
Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into The Dr. Oz Show 
or visit www.shareca)
Page: B5

POT USE CAN LEAD TO HEALTH CONCERNS

When Cheech and Chong lit up the movie screens with their marijuana 
fogged dialogue - "Hey man, how's my driving?" "I think we're parked, 
man" - they probably never imagined cannabis would become legal. But 
today more than 20 states have authorized medical marijuana, while 
Colorado and Washington have legalized it for personal use. So we say 
it's time to back up (carefully) and take a look at the health risks 
associated with recreational use (addressing medical use is for 
another column).

The active ingredient in marijuana (THC or 9 
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) has been engineered to be much more 
concentrated in today's crops than it was in the 1970s. That, 
combined with the highly individual way the drug affects the brain 
(20-somethings, listen up, you're still developing neural wiring), 
makes it hard to predict who might be at risk for long-term 
marijuana-related problems. What is known, according to the National 
Institute on Drug Abuse, is that regular or heavy use is linked to 
traffic accidents and reduced lung function (the smoke contains 
carcinogens) and can encourage addictions. In addition, for some 
folks, THC's effect on neurotransmitters may increase the risk for 
depression and the development of psychosis. It also can cause memory 
and attention deficits. And particular to eating THC, there may be an 
increased risk of panic or anxiety.

Our advice? Go for a free twofer: An exercise high from aerobic 
routines, like interval walking (see doctoroz.com for how-to), boosts 
both serotonin and endorphin levels. You'll get smokin' hot without 
craving a peanut butter and jelly pizza.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom