Marijuana may stave off Alzheimer's

http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/10/05/pot.alzheimers.reut/index.html

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) -- Good news for aging hippies: Smoking pot may stave off Alzheimer's disease.

New research shows that the active ingredient in marijuana may prevent the progression of the disease by preserving levels of an important neurotransmitter that allows the brain to function.

Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in California found that marijuana's active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, can prevent the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from breaking down more effectively than commercially marketed drugs.

THC is also more effective at blocking clumps of protein that can inhibit memory and cognition in Alzheimer's patients, the researchers reported in the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics.

The researchers said their discovery could lead to more effective drug treatment for Alzheimer's, the leading cause of dementia among the elderly.

Those afflicted with Alzheimer's suffer from memory loss, impaired decision-making, and diminished language and movement skills. The ultimate cause of the disease is unknown, though it is believed to be hereditary.

Marijuana is used to relieve glaucoma and can help reduce side effects from cancer and AIDS treatment.

Possessing marijuana for recreational use is illegal in many parts of the world, including the United States, though some states allow possession for medical purposes.





So all the old hippies out there, keep on toking.

 

Unlees you smoke with aluminum cause your a noob : P

 

that makes no sense......

most of the stoners I know, are rather forgetful, and you are telling me that it could help prevent alzheimers?? ok. lol.

 

haha, alzheimers is cured but you still have a shitty memory.

You know whats funny when I cant rember something, then I go light up it all comes back to me its great lol.

 

Ok so you won't get alzheimers but you will be too blazed to remember anything anyway.

 

Yea, pot makes people's short term memory shot sometimes, but it's not permanent, Alzheimer's on the other hand is an actual disease that eats away at the brain and they're saying this can help hold it off, and Alzheimer's is more then just memory loss

 

I'm not suprised that it helps Alzheimers... but damn man when I'm high or sometimes just a little high if there is a 5 second pause I completely forget what I'm talking about.

 

My Dad had terrible ALZ. My Moms dad too. Bless thier souls.

Guess I'm geneticly dispositioned to get it.

I better start partying harder.

 

Dude you have some SERIOUS explaining to do.

 

hahah

oh yeah, good thing about the alzheimers too