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Ythan
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Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana
#26432042 - 01/13/20 07:50 PM (4 years, 16 days ago) |
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Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana www.inverse.com
When we’re stressed or anxious, we tend to turn to things that make us feel better — and for some, that means cannabis. In fact, this is one of the primary reasons for smoking weed or taking CBD, according to a 2009 study on young adults.
But despite its popularity as a salve for anxious brains, scientists don’t know how the chemicals in marijuana work to calm anxiety — but the discovery of a molecule that affects an anxiety-producing super-highway in the brain could hold the key.
In a study published this week in the journal Neuron, scientists describe a powerful molecule called 2-AG, which appears to disrupt the production and transfer of neurochemicals linked to anxiety across this neural highway — effectively halting an anxiety attack in its tracks. Cannabis works in much the same way, the researchers find. The new study, conducted in mice, shows 2-AG and cannabis act on the same receptors in the brain, the endocannabinoid system, which modulates anxiety.
The super-highway connects two parts of the brain: the amygdala, the brain’s emotional processor, and the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s decision-maker. When exposed to stress, the two areas glue together, producing excitatory neurochemicals and making anxiety skyrocket.
“The circuit between the amygdala and the frontal cortex has been shown to be stronger in individuals with certain types of anxiety disorders,” Sachin Patel, study co-author and researcher at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, says. “As people or animals are exposed to stress and get more anxious, these two brain areas glue together, and their activity grows stronger together.”
Pinpointing the anxiety molecule
To drill down on 2-AG’s function in the brain, Patel and his team exposed mice to acute stress over a 24-hour period and then put them through a maze. The team measured their anxiety throughout the experiment, and analyzed how areas of the brain responded.
Whereas 2-AG normally “dampens communication” between the amygdala and frontal cortex, helping to regulate anxiety, putting the mice under stress disrupted this positive effect, Patel says. When the mice were exposed to stress, the anxiety pathway between their amygdala and prefrontal cortex strengthened, and they experienced higher levels of anxiety. This suggests stress or trauma makes 2-AG — and the endocannabinoid system — break down, resulting in heightened anxiety-related behaviors.
The findings may lead to new anxiety therapies targeting 2-AG and the endocannabinoid system that dodge some of the negative side effects of chronic medical marijuana use.
“If proven effective, this type of medication would be taken to cause a continuous elevation in 2-AG levels in the brain,” Patel tells Inverse.
“The hope would be that this would allow one to experience some of the beneficial effects people use medical cannabis for, in terms of anxiety and stress-relief, without some of the side effects,” he says.
A new treatment for anxiety?
The collapse of the endocannabinoid system might explain why some people develop full-blown stress disorders, Patel says. A drug treatment that stops 2-AG levels from disappearing — and in turn, keeps the endocannabinoid system functioning — could prevent stress from triggering anxiety in the first place.
The study is done in mice, so how 2-AG interacts with the endocannabinoid system in humans isn’t yet clear. The results will need to be validated in humans before any 2-AG therapy can be developed.
“We still do not know how enhancing 2-AG levels will affect humans with stress-related disorders such as PTSD, and whether 2-AG signaling is compromised in patients with PTSD or other anxiety disorders,” Patel says. He hopes these studies will be conducted in the next three to four years.
Until then, many people may continue using medical marijuana to cope with stress, fear, and anxiety, but with mixed results.
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Buckomcdoogle
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Re: Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana [Re: Ythan] 1
#26432685 - 01/14/20 07:40 AM (4 years, 15 days ago) |
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Cannabis is a double edged sword when it comes to anxiety.
I had an everyday habit for over a decade.
The hardest part of giving it up for me was, a week or two after I stopped, these feelings of existential dread and unfounded anxiety started popping into my head.
Ive always had a very obsessive mind which is a blessing and a curse.
For a long time cannabinoids blanketed my psyche in a comfortable haze.
Cannabis is very good at making you content.
Reality man....... Reality..........
-------------------- "Nothing is more dangerous to your creativity than comfort and familiarity" "Nihilism is the most basic truth in existence, the only consistency throughout the world, and the universe is chaos and decay" "Logic leads to nihilism"
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Super Squid
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Re: Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana [Re: Buckomcdoogle]
#26432950 - 01/14/20 10:37 AM (4 years, 15 days ago) |
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thanks for adding your input man! couldn't have said it better myself, for my experience with everything. peace
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nooneman


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Re: Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana [Re: Ythan]
#26433104 - 01/14/20 12:58 PM (4 years, 15 days ago) |
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Cool. Hopefully this leads to some new revolutionary anti-anxiety medications. The world needs new psychiatric medications that actually work. The last time a major class of anti-anxiety medications was invented, it was probably the benzos, and that was a LONG time ago.
Plus, if this is better understood, they might be able to develop a drug that suppresses the anxiety causing parts of weed
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ellomello
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Re: Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana [Re: nooneman]
#26433499 - 01/14/20 03:54 PM (4 years, 15 days ago) |
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^.^ it's already been developed by nature, they just need to legalize cannabis, so people can grow specific varieties... not produce more drug commercials.
-------------------- PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN get back to the garden
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dk-1
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Re: Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana [Re: ellomello] 1
#26434120 - 01/14/20 10:27 PM (4 years, 15 days ago) |
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It's weird how cannabis makes so many people anxious and yet it also has a calming effect for some of the population. The majority of people I know who used to smoke stopped in their 20s due to anxiety and paranoia, myself included.
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Fractal420
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Re: Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana [Re: dk-1]
#26434277 - 01/15/20 02:15 AM (4 years, 14 days ago) |
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Yeah try smoking a strong Sativa (even a hybrid) during a real panic attack. Def 10x worse
I tend to go by the whole “will accentuate your current feelings” thing
I once did a Volcano balloon of some strong Cookies N Cream while freaking out a bit. Went into full panic mode.
For me, weed does not help with acute panic. Maybe if it’s more of a malaise. Generally weed helps most types of malaise IME
Also, edibles while relaxed are chill as fuck. Edibles while not relaxed and you can’t get to the same blissful state, more likely to think about shit.
This is increased by a lot with a Sativa IMO. Strong Indicas have much less anxiety it seems, and also much more likely to make you nap.but still if you’re already feeling anxious with certain thoughts bothering you, could make it worse
-------------------- Dreaming of That face again. It's bright and blue and shimmering. Grinning wide And comforting me with it's three warm and wild eyes. Prying open MY third eye
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stzacrack
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Re: Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana [Re: dk-1]
#26434387 - 01/15/20 06:15 AM (4 years, 14 days ago) |
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I love smoking for the physical effects
My muscles and joints tendons everything feels stable and as if it's healing
I just can't stand the fogginess my mind gets
I have a very physically demanding job, and weed helps with the fatigue, but I can't have myself making a mistake mentally because it could be a fatal mistake
Shame because I'd love to use it as medicine after work, but my mind/life is the hardest and saddest it's ever been, so it lends to making me think too much
Right now in my life benzos make me feel happy, normal,loving etc
If I run out I settle for three or four beers
Quote:
dk-1 said: It's weird how cannabis makes so many people anxious and yet it also has a calming effect for some of the population. The majority of people I know who used to smoke stopped in their 20s due to anxiety and paranoia, myself included.
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theRealrollforever
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Re: Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana [Re: stzacrack]
#26434498 - 01/15/20 08:18 AM (4 years, 14 days ago) |
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Weed helps my anxiety big time. If I let my tolerance drop I get those “overthinking” and “cloudy” effects on my mind but they quickly go away after a session or 2
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Doc9151
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Re: Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana [Re: theRealrollforever] 1
#26435505 - 01/15/20 07:16 PM (4 years, 14 days ago) |
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So, let me get this straight, cannabis treats anxiety but they want to help chemical companies get rich by synthesizing a molecule that already exists in nature. Typical hypocritical bullshit!!! They say weed is bad but take our chemicals and you will be okay, this is what's wrong with society today.
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Buckomcdoogle
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Re: Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana [Re: Doc9151]
#26435541 - 01/15/20 07:31 PM (4 years, 14 days ago) |
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There's still so much research that needs to be done.
Isolating and concentrating individual cannabinoids is where the big potential is.
RSO is probably the most effective sleep aid ive ever used.
Just a full spectrum plant extract, no bullshit.
-------------------- "Nothing is more dangerous to your creativity than comfort and familiarity" "Nihilism is the most basic truth in existence, the only consistency throughout the world, and the universe is chaos and decay" "Logic leads to nihilism"
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Doc9151
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Re: Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana [Re: Buckomcdoogle]
#26435693 - 01/15/20 09:19 PM (4 years, 14 days ago) |
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In the U.S. the government has reserved the rights (patents) to all cannabinoids.
Edit: I do admit that my information may be outdated but I don't think so.
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  Psilocybe cubensis data collection thread. please help with this project if you hunt wild cubensis. https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=26513593&page=0&vc=1#26513593
Edited by Doc9151 (01/15/20 09:21 PM)
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Buckomcdoogle
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Re: Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana [Re: Doc9151]
#26435825 - 01/15/20 10:40 PM (4 years, 14 days ago) |
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I'd never heard about about that, but it doesn't shock me. Who froze all research into it for almost a century.
They know how much potential it has and yet how hard it will be to regulate.
Medical has been around too long and has been proven too reliable and safe to vilify it anymore.
I think once one of the big southern states (Like Texas) legalizes the domino's will start falling.
With that being said, I heard a couple days ago, a friend of mine, his mom is locked up and facing a felony over wax right now.
Apparently the detective claimed "Ive seen this stuff kill people" >.>
How can you be that ignorant this day in age? At least some of it has to be willful.
-------------------- "Nothing is more dangerous to your creativity than comfort and familiarity" "Nihilism is the most basic truth in existence, the only consistency throughout the world, and the universe is chaos and decay" "Logic leads to nihilism"
Edited by Buckomcdoogle (01/15/20 10:41 PM)
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Failboat
Fuck Up

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Re: Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana [Re: Buckomcdoogle]
#26436397 - 01/16/20 09:00 AM (4 years, 13 days ago) |
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Last cops who fucked up my day found ~1/4lb of slabs in the car. They were pissed. Angry cop said they were out there looking for heroin, not hash. Wrote a ticket for <100g of marijuana, a $150 fine. Towed the car since the driver's license was expired. Dropped us off at the next truck stop. He was really angry when I finally said I don't have yo answer his questions. The assisting officer was really nice, we talked about Philmont while angry officer played 20 questions with the driver.
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toader123


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Re: Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana [Re: dk-1]
#26437966 - 01/17/20 07:32 AM (4 years, 12 days ago) |
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Quote:
dk-1 said: It's weird how cannabis makes so many people anxious and yet it also has a calming effect for some of the population. The majority of people I know who used to smoke stopped in their 20s due to anxiety and paranoia, myself included.
Exact same story here. There's something that happens in your early 20's where the cannabis high turns into straight up uncomfortable anxiety/panic. Nothing good about it. It's hard for me to remember how that high made me chill out and feel good. It may help some people with anxiety, but others it's the exact opposite. I've been experimenting with high cbd:low thc. Trying to find a way to enjoy the plant again because I do love it so much for what it is.
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ellomello
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Re: Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana [Re: toader123]
#26438538 - 01/17/20 12:50 PM (4 years, 12 days ago) |
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highCBD lowTHC is called hemp flowers, the only thing available here south hell, because about a year ago, everyone started selling hemp flowers, saying it's real.
hemp flowers = tired angry headache depression regular cannabis = happy chill creative motivated
-------------------- PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN get back to the garden
some came singing, some come to play, some come for keeping the dark away
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Doc9151
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Re: Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana [Re: ellomello]
#26439256 - 01/17/20 08:46 PM (4 years, 12 days ago) |
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I only have anxiety from weed when I quit for a while and then start smoking again, especially if I try to smoke like I did when I quit, but after regular use it's not an issue again.
--------------------
  Psilocybe cubensis data collection thread. please help with this project if you hunt wild cubensis. https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=26513593&page=0&vc=1#26513593
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Holybullshit
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Re: Scientists discover the reason why anxious people smoke marijuana [Re: Doc9151]
#26447766 - 01/23/20 07:46 AM (4 years, 6 days ago) |
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Quote:
Doc9151 said: I only have anxiety from weed when I quit for a while and then start smoking again, especially if I try to smoke like I did when I quit, but after regular use it's not an issue again.
That's generally what I find also, the anxiety is worse right at the beginning of continuing use and after a few days of continuous use it fades greatly. Also, it mostly just affects my social anxiety...if I am with a group of people I tend to clam up.
It's also largely dependent on set and setting, if its with people I have a more intimate relationship with in a place I feel comfortable it's not so bad. It's more of a problem around people I don't have a deep connection with or foundation of trust, in a place I am not familiar with, or a crowded environment with lots of stimulus(loud music, lights, movement etc.) and only if I get really stoned.
Other than that the only anxiety I get is centered around its legality...but that could also be reinforced by my past legal troubles. This mostly limits me to taking it lightly outside my home and when I am not* alone.
edit*
Edited by Holybullshit (01/23/20 05:30 PM)
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