Cannabis 'raises the risk of cancer and other killer diseases' ?

[CyberHustler]

Cannabis damages the immune system, leaving the body open to diseases from pneumonia to cancer, research suggests.
In experiments, THC, the chemical behind the ?high? of cannabis fuelled the production of a flood of cells thought to weaken the body?s inbuilt defences.
The finding suggests that cannabis, the drug of choice for many Britons, increases vulnerability to breast, bladder, lung and other tumours, as well as bacterial infections such as Legionnaires disease.
Worryingly, skunk, the super-strength cannabis that is particularly popular, may be extra-damaging, due to its extra-high THC content.
While cannabis?s links to devastating mental health problems are well known, its potential to wreck the immune system has received less attention.
The American research focused on the effect of cannabis chemicals including THC on the immune system.
In tests on mice, they triggered the production of a ?massive? number of immune cells called myeloid-derived suppressor cells or MDSCs.
These normally act as a safety brake on the immune system stopping its battle against disease from spiralling out of control.
But in the case of cancer, they may actually make it easier for tumours to grow, the European Journal of Immunology reports.
Lead researcher Dr Prakash Nagarkatti, from the University of South Carolina, said: ?These results raise interesting questions on whether increased susceptibility to certain types of cancers or infections caused from smoking marijuana results from induction of MDSCs.

MDSCs seem to be unique and important cells that may be triggered by inappropriate production of certain growth factors by cancer cells or other chemical agents such as cannabinoids, which lead to a suppression of the immune system?s response.?
In large quantities the cells may also leave the body open to infection with germs such as those that cause pneumonia.
The findings could have important implications, not only for those who use the drug recreationally but for those taking it to improve their health.

The drug is used to ease the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and THC can be used in treatment of cancer, glaucoma and HIV.
On a more positive note, a greater understanding of how to weaken the immune response could lead to new treatments for diseases caused by the immune system turning on the body.
Multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis are among the conditions caused by such ?friendly fire?.
Dr Nargarkatti said: ?Marijuana cannabinoids present us with a double edged sword.
?On one hand, due to their immunosuppressive nature, they can cause increased susceptibility to cancer and infections.
?However, further research of these compounds could provide opportunities to treat a large number of clinical disorders where suppressing the immune response is actually beneficial.?
The mental health risks associated with the drug are well documented.
Those who smoke cannabis regularly at 18 are 1.6 times more likely to suffer serious psychiatric problems, including schizophrenia, by their mid-20s.
For those who are regular users at 15, the stakes are even higher, with their risk of mental illness by the age of 26 being 4.5 times greater than normal.
Latest figures show that cannabis ruins at least 12 young lives every day.
Some 4,400 youngsters needed treatment for serious problems last year after smoking the drug.
They were referred for treatment by psychiatric services or families worried that the youth?s life was falling apart, according to the NHS.
Henry Scowcroft, of Cancer Research UK, said it was impossible to tell if the effects seen in mice would extend to people.
He added: ?The issue of whether cannabis can cause cancer is a controversial one that is still not settled. What is certain is that most UK cannabis users smoke the drug with tobacco, which is still the single most important cause of cancer.?

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz16PWHtOG0

Still doesn't seem as bad as cigs and booze tho...

[_Richard_]

in other news:

Alcohol related deaths in the UK rose to 9031 in 2008, up from 8724 the previous year

[ajrocks]

Everything in moderation! Everything causes cancer including just living.

[Tantrixxx]

I have no pity for people who get cancer based on their own doing

[eroticsexxx]

There are lies and there are damned lies and that writer is guilty of the latter.

The Journal of Clinical Investigation would beg to differ with her stretch of mere scientific "suggestions". It has been proven that THC directly affects cancer cells by causing cancer cell death.

Cannabinoid action induces autophagy-mediated cell death through stimulation of ER stress in human glioma cells

For those not scientifically minded, a simpler article is here

[Brujah]

Marijuana effective against cancer
http://www.salem-news.com/articles/j...ment_11008.php

Marijuana destroys cancer cells
http://cancermarijuana.com/2009/04/0...-cancer-cells/

Marijuana kills brain cancer
http://health.usnews.com/health-news...in-cancer.html

So I guess if it causes cancer, once you get it you shouldn't stop and if you haven't yet you should start.

[ottopottomouse]

Anything that makes you write in green and read the Daily Mail should be avoided.

[bronco67]

What doesn't give you cancer?

[CaptainHowdy]

[minicivan]

Practically ANYTHING that you put into your body other than water and whole foods is going to be a potential problem. Your body has 15 million years of eating that way. "Natural" doesn't mean "great for you" as pot smokers would like to believe.

[moeloubani]

Ruins 12 young lives every day? What kind of BS stat is that? LOL

[Spunky]

We all are going to die someday

[CyberHustler]

Originally Posted by ottopottomouse

Anything that makes you write in green and read the Daily Mail should be avoided.

I do not write in green so lucky me. I type in green on GFY though, but it's for reasons you're required not to understand by your ego.

[Poindexterity]

"While cannabis’s links to devastating mental health problems are well known..."

stopped reading there.
propaganda plain and simple.

disregard.

[Vendzilla]

That reminds me , I need to light up

[Tantrixxx]

I think coming to this board is giving me cancer

[MikeSmoke]

Originally Posted by _Richard_

in other news:

Alcohol related deaths in the UK rose to 9031 in 2008, up from 8724 the previous year

Gee, I'm missing it.
The number of alcohol related deaths has WHAT bearing on whether pot is good or bad for you, exactly?

I could care less whether you smoke or not.
Fallacious arguments are what I care about.

[MikeSmoke]

Originally Posted by moeloubani

Ruins 12 young lives every day? What kind of BS stat is that? LOL

It came from same place as the "3000 children start smoking every day" statistic we've been hearing for decades.
It was made up.
The only difference is, it's been well-documented by now that the "3000 children" was made up.

When people who are "anti-anything" (usually because they're benefitting in some way) --- they find it awfully easy to find a random statistic somewhere, embrace it and extend it to be "truth" - and promulgate it. That's what happened with "3000 children" and I have no doubt it's the same thing for "12 young lives."

[PR_Glen]

genetics causes more cancer than anything else.

[michael.kickass]

Originally Posted by Brujah

Marijuana effective against cancer
http://www.salem-news.com/articles/j...ment_11008.php

Marijuana destroys cancer cells
http://cancermarijuana.com/2009/04/0...-cancer-cells/

Marijuana kills brain cancer
http://health.usnews.com/health-news...in-cancer.html

So I guess if it causes cancer, once you get it you shouldn't stop and if you haven't yet you should start.

Now, this is one wise logical conclusion!

Nice links man!

[Caligari]

Hey, if you get cancer from smoking weed you can smoke weed to help with the effects of your cancer.

[fatfoo]

Originally Posted by CaptainHowdy

P.S.

It's unfortunate that cannabis can cause diseases such as cancer. Bob Marley died from lung cancer.

[JuicyAds2]

There's almost always something wrong with almost everything around us. Remember when peanut butter was going to give us cancer?

[bdld]

a lot of potheads in here.

[seeandsee]

what dont kill you, makes you stronger

[eroticsexxx]

Originally Posted by fatfoo

It's unfortunate that cannabis can cause diseases such as cancer. Bob Marley died from lung cancer.

Get the story right.

Bob Marley cancer's originated from a injury in his foot.

He refused medical assistance for some time and eventually got a skin graft which only covered up the injury superficially.

The cancer spread to his brain, lungs and stomach.

His life was extended due to his cannabis use.

[CPA37710T]

i will NEVER quit on cannabis!

[PornMD]

We're all gonna die in 20-70 years, some even before that. Fatfoo is a bot so he'll live. GFY will eventually only be threads of Fatfoo replying to himself.

[Overload]

Originally Posted by moeloubani

Ruins 12 young lives every day? What kind of BS stat is that? LOL

i learned at school ... dont trust any stats 'cept you faked them YOURSELF such rubbish btw; alc kills 1000s a day - and i NEVER EVER heard about a death caused DIRECTLY by pot ... if you smoke too much you you'll puke and feel a lil dizzy; thats bout it

[Angry Jew Cat - Banned for Life]

Originally Posted by minicivan

"Natural" doesn't mean "great for you" as pot smokers would like to believe.

No shit, my fellow potheads give me a fucking headache with this shit sometimes. THC itself may not do damage, but if you're smoking weed it can. Burning any plant material will release carcinogens and all sorts of other goodies during the combustion process. Quit trying to prove it's the fucking wonder drug of the millennium and just enjoy getting fucking high...

[trevesty]

Originally Posted by moeloubani

Ruins 12 young lives every day? What kind of BS stat is that? LOL

The only "ruining" done is the fact that it's illegal.

I smoke a bowl each day.. and still manage to work 12+ hours per day. It helps me keep my ass in my computer chair instead of playing fetch with the pup, etc., etc.

[ottopottomouse]

Originally Posted by PornMD

We're all gonna die in 20-70 years, some even before that. Fatfoo is a bot so he'll live. GFY will eventually only be threads of Fatfoo replying to himself.

[Agent 488]

pot kills.

[hdkiller]

disinformation shit

take a joint a week and cancer will go away

[thickcash_amo]

doesn't being on the computer cause cancer?