Monday, February 28, 2005
Reefer Madness
The February issue of JAMA has a review of the Book "Marijuana and Madness: Psychiatry and Neurobiology".
The authors make this conclusion:
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The authors make this conclusion:
"After reviewing the requirements and attributing causality, the authors argue that cannabis may be a component cause of schizophrenia, citing evidence from the largest trials. They also refer to cross-sectional and prospective studies, showing the connection of marijuana abuse to increased psychotic relapse in schizophrenia, supporting the biological explanation of dopamine agonism."
Due to the presence of both endogenous and exogenous factors in the illness, the authors do go on to say that there is only "tentative support" for cannabis use as a precipitating factor in schizophrenia. Anyway, none of that should be a surprise. Hallucinogenic drugs (even mild ones such a marijuana) would obviously be potential triggers for schizophrenia if the individual abusing is susceptible to the illness.
The striking find by the authors appears to be but an after thought in their research:
"After detailing the research on why psychotic patients continue marijuana use, the authors of chapter 11 conclude that the majority use marijuana for the same reasons that most dependent patients use other substances."
The authors found that marijuana produces dependence. Much of the argument in support of legalizing marijuana surround the belief that it is not addictive. This belief appears to be erroneous.
With all the outcry and litigation occuring over the side effects of legal pharmaceuticals (Vioxx, Baycol, Zoloft) I find it humorous that some want to legalize a drug with so many apparent complications and so few benefits. Maybe they want it approved so that they can then sue the pants off of whatever "evil pharmaceutical company" it is that decides to manufacture the drug.
# posted by Joe Florida @ 5:58 AM 
