I knew it!

[Erwinator]

Somehow I just knew that it would be proven to be good for you. But yeah, an interesting thing.

http://webcenter.health.webmd.netscape.com/content/article/104/107266.htm?DEST=WebMD_contentSRC_nsmain

[Fred1000000]

O.O Well, that brings back good Super Smash Bros. Melee memories.... (Marijuna, marijuna, marijuna...)

[hammocksleeper]

There have been a couple other shtudies done in the past that showed the same results.

[Erwinator]

I am pleased to hear this after I quit smoking it. :)

[Cross_Fire]

Anything that is rolled up and smoked is bad for you, not just Marjiuna.

[Nahotnoj]

Interesting... and fred, what on earth does SSBM have to do with marijuana?

[Cross_Fire]

Im not sure exactly what he means. However, I think he is comparing some of the stranger levels to being high.

[Fred1000000]

Interesting... and fred, what on earth does SSBM have to do with marijuana?
It all started when Capt. Falcon ran out of super scope ammo and my bud Nathan said: Marijuna marijuna marijuna! (Hench the puff of smoke)

[Cross_Fire]

LOL. I forgot about that! I remember my friend saying something like that, I think he said he was just smoking tho...but thats way funnier! :)

[X-Master2]

Interesting, I read some where that Marijuna was used in many medecinal treatments, like back in the 70s(go figure). One of the things they said it was suppose to prevent and help fight was glaucoma (http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?query=glaucoma&action=Search+OMD).

[Graeme]

Eh, just another excuse for potheads to condone the use of narcotics . . . 'It's good for you man' - bullshit I say :).

[Modred]

Read the whole title:

Marijuana Chemical Fights Hardened Arteries

But Smoking Marijuana Isn't the Answer, Says Study

xD

[hammocksleeper]

Marijuana Chemical Fights Hardened Arteries

But Smoking Marijuana Isn't the Answer, Says Study

If you read CNN's article (rather than that of Netscape), which gives more in-depth information on the actual study, you will realize that the study shows that the high amount of THC that enters the body as a result of smoking has equal (but not greater) effect on slowing the hardening of arteries than a low, daily dose of THC that is too small to create effects on the brain. So smoking IS the answer, just not the best one. The researchers said that smoking is not the answer because they are specifically trying to develop a THC drug that targets the receptors that inhibit hardening of arteries and that ignores the receptors that change brain behavior.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/conditions/04/06/marijuana.heart.disease.ap/index.html?section=cnn_latest

[Modred]

the high amount of THC that enters the body as a result of smoking has equal (but not greater) effect on slowing the hardening of arteries than a low, daily dose of THC that is too small to create effects on the brain.
From a medical perspective, it would seem smoking is not the answer. If the same level of health benefit can be derived without the potentially brain damaging side effects, there is no reason to attempt to reap this benefit from smoking. In effect, this study will be misused by smokers to excuse their continued use of marijuana.

Of course, you can't forget the expert...
Dr. Edward A. Fisher of the New York University School of Medicine said THC's impact on artery-clogging in the experiment was relatively modest, and that it's not clear that results would apply to people.
So most smokers now have a medical reason to continue smoking, even though it is not marijuana itself that provides the health benefit, but THC alone. So you could argue that smoking is an answer, since it gets the THC, but it isn't even viable as a medical option. Seriously, why would you take the risks inherent to smoking marijuana for a meager tradeoff in cardiovascular health?

[Kabam]

The article states that marijuana CAN help your artiries? Thats what I percieved from it.

[Modred]

It states that THC, the main chemical in marijuana, can help your arteries. It's essentially the same argument that has existed for decades. THC has medical uses, this just validates one such use. It is far from a justification for the use of marijuana.

[Kabam]

Oh, Ok. Thanks.

[Killphill]

Man, everything these days is good and bad for you.

[hammocksleeper]

So most smokers now have a medical reason to continue smoking, even though it is not marijuana itself that provides the health benefit, but THC alone. So you could argue that smoking is an answer, since it gets the THC, but it isn't even viable as a medical option. Seriously, why would you take the risks inherent to smoking marijuana for a meager tradeoff in cardiovascular health?

You're right, pot is not a good option if you were at high risk for hardened arteries and your doctor was looking for a medicine to prescribe. That is, assuming the patient did not want to smoke pot. However, if someone already smokes pot, and has plans to continue smoking it, then they have already accepted the consequences of their actions and this is good news, just another reason for them to continue smoking.

[Erwinator]

You're right, pot is not a good option if you were at high risk for hardened arteries and your doctor was looking for a medicine to prescribe. That is, assuming the patient did not want to smoke pot. However, if someone already smokes pot, and has plans to continue smoking it, then they have already accepted the consequences of their actions and this is good news, just another reason for them to continue smoking. Too bad I quit.... I would have something to be proud of. Acctually I made my stand, I had a legalization nation.....

[Kabam]

In the words of Mr.Mackey "Drugs are baaaed"