Marijuana and Brain Cells

[Chiefinonhaze]

Today at work, I had a debate with this guy at my work who is in "medical school."

He said that MJ kills brain cells, and I replied " we regenerate those brain cells naturally".

He went on to say that we do not regenerate brain cells, and once they are gone they are gone forever. He said brain cells are only formed during our childhood and once we are adults we have a set amount.

I had a hard time believing this, and It's hard to find quality online sources to trust.

So I have two questions:

1. Does Marijuana in fact kill brain cells?

2. If it does, can we regenerate these brain cells?

[skinsfan_1215]

You have a set amount of brain cells from the day you are born. Marijuana kills them at 20x the rate that shaking your head back and forth until your face goes numb does. Basically if you smoke marijuana every day for 10 years all your brain cells will be gone and you will die.


Also, tell your friend he's an idiot.

[grhqofb5]

Are there any doctors on here, or is this just going to turn into a "ya-ha, not-ah" type of thing? How about some citations to actual medical journals, peer reviewed type stuff please.

[Chiefinonhaze]

It's so hard to find scholarly sources on the subject of marijuana. I tried to write a paper on it for a class, it was tough

[skinsfan_1215]

It's so hard to find scholarly sources on the subject of marijuana. I tried to write a paper on it for a class, it was tough

Definitely. I did a quick google search so I would have something other than my previous smart ass answer, but did not immediately see anything terribly helpful. It did appear from the results that while brain cell regeneration seems to be limited, marijuana does not kill the cells.

[grhqofb5]

So isn't this debate kinda dumb without some, like, solid information?

[DeaconTheVillain]

Heading a soccer ball kills a lot of braincells too.

[grhqofb5]

Heading a soccer ball kills a lot of braincells too.

Link to scholarly journal/treatise please.

[skinsfan_1215]

I would like to withdraw my previous comments. I was unaware extremeskins required me to cite my scholarly sources, and I am unwilling to put in the time and effort to find them.

[Chiefinonhaze]

Im a huge fan of MJ, and I don't think it kills brain cells, from personal experience.

[JonsieRB34]

You have a set amount of brain cells from the day you are born. Marijuana kills them at 20x the rate that shaking your head back and forth until your face goes numb does. Basically if you smoke marijuana every day for 10 years all your brain cells will be gone and you will die.


Also, tell your friend he's an idiot.

Go to a dead concert and you'll meet plenty of people that prove you wrong!

[grhqofb5]

Im a huge fan of MJ, and I don't think it kills brain cells, from personal experience.

Case study, eh? Can you share your notes please.

[MonkFan8]

There is a wealth of literature that cannabinoids can have both neuroprotective and neurotoxic effects, depending on the dose.

There are only a select few areas of the brain (the DG of the hippocampus and the SVZ) where neurogenesis can actually occur into adulthood.

[grhqofb5]

There is a wealth of literature that cannabinoids can have both neuroprotective and neurotoxic effects, depending on the dose.

There are only a select few areas of the brain (the DG of the hippocampus and the SVZ) where neurogenesis can actually occur into adulthood.

Good start, sounds professional, so you get the benefit of the doubt. Define "Neuroprotective" and "Neurotoxic" (probably obvious) please. Also, please link within 1 day (or provide scholarly citiaton to source).

[Chiefinonhaze]

http://healthpsych.psy.vanderbilt.ed...juanaBrain.htm

Here's a real source, proving that Marijuana use does NOT kill brain cells.