Pubdate: Wed, 18 May 2016
Source: News, The (New Glasgow, CN NS)
Page: 15
Copyright: 2016 Transcontinental Inc.
Contact:  http://www.ngnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3343
Authors: Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen (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 in to "The Dr. Oz Show" or visit www.sharecare.com.)

Health

DOPE AND DOPAMINE: LEGALIZED MARIJUANA IN ADULT USERS

What do Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, D.C., and Washington 
state have in common? They've legalized recreational marijuana use 
for adults. And a total of 24 states allow medical marijuana in 
various ways: in New York, you cannot smoke it, although you can 
inhale a vapor, eat it, use a tincture or take pills. More than 12 
states have decriminalized possession.

No wonder marijuana use more than doubled from 2001 to 2013. 
Unfortunately, according to a study in JAMA Psychiatry, in 2012-13 
nearly 30 per cent of users had marijuana use disorder, otherwise 
known as MUD. That's a huge percentage. Symptoms include problems 
with normal functioning, cravings and withdrawal symptoms, such as 
inability to sleep, restlessness, nervousness, anger or depression 
within a week of ceasing heavy use. This MUD treatment also makes you older.

There are also neurocognitive and psychiatric repercussions of MUD, 
especially in young people and young adults. When researchers at 
Columbia University Medical Center looked at the brains of folks who 
started smoking cannabis at 16, became dependent by 20 and have been 
dependent for the past seven years, they found that compared with 
nonsmokers they had lower dopamine release in brain areas that affect 
learning and working memory tasks. The depression associated with 
withdrawal is also a likely result of alterations in dopamine availability.

So don't get stuck in the MUD; if you or someone you love needs help 
with marijuana dependence, go to www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov to get 
started creating a healthier, happier future.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom