Smoking pot does have risks. do not be fooled. I am a 40 year old chronic pot smoking male who has experienced hormone problems. I have a lack of FSH, LH, and Human Growth Factor. These all lead to androgen deficiency (lack of testosterone)and osteoporosis.

There are a lot of people that will doubt this...so I urge chronic male smokers to go to their doctors to have there testosterone level checked. You may also have osteoporosis (which can still be fixed by testosterone replacement).

Look up DRONABINOL in any nursing/pharmaceutical index and it will show you a lot of information. DRONABINOL is a cannabinoid oil given to people who have extreme nausea from chemotherapy or wasting syndrome for A.I.D.S.

sciencedj

you have a lot of stress at 16 or 17? wait until you grow up.

Thats a rather arrogant comment considering you have no idea what my life is like. What I appear to be like over the internet is nothing like my real life. There is a lot I have to deal with and there is no way for you to know what I have to go through so I will just leave it at that.

As for those chemical unbalances in for the males how long would you think I should wait from smoking before I go get them checked out, because I might go to my doctor and check up on myself. I'm wondering if there would be a waste of time from going now and that I should wait a few years until I'm an adult before I go and have it checked out.

Putting any mood or mind altering chemical into your body becomes even more dangerous prior to mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual maturity. You are, in essence, retarding your growth in many ways. Not to say that it is not dangerous to grown adults, just that the younger you start, the more likely a problem(s) will develop. If you believe that you are doing something that may create physical problems and causes you to question whether you should see a doctor or not, aren't you answering your own question about the drug?

If you smoke pot...your testosterone levels drop.....I do not know what period of time it takes for the body to stop testosterone production. Symptoms of androgen deficiency include lack of libido, gynecomastia (breast tissue development in men), depression, weight gain, loss of muscle tone.

I would estimate that over 50% of chronic male smokers over the age of 40 have a testosterone deficiency. That is why you are starting to see commervials for products like "ANDROGEL" on TV. ANDROGEL "Gets your motor runnin' "

sciencedj

Assuming this is the end of this thread I want to thank mostly everyone for posting with the exception of a few.

Like I said, I quit, but there are times I'd like to catch a good buzz,mostly when I have to deal with people a lot, and just chill out. Peace. Hippie

okay - been there with the marijuana scene. I was one of those loafers once too. And age has nothing to do with it. However, experience does. You asked for facts - try reading the ones you don't agree with - there are many more studies finding fault with marijuana use than there are promoting it's use.

Delete if you feel the need (you did say all comments were welcome) - but you are in a serious state of denial - and no. that's not in Egypt.

So let's get personal (since you don't like to be challenged) how long do you plan to continue and what do you perceive as the long term effects of that behaviour.

I smoke regularly and I really enjoy my habit. I don't drive after, I don't deal, I don't smoke until I can't stand up and I certainly don't smoke around children. I've known people in my past who do all these things. I don't associate with them now. Like all drugs, there are those that can and those that shouldn't. Often times, those that can don't and those that shouldn't do. But dare I say it, as an adult, I am responsible for the choices I make. I choose to smoke pot, just as I choose to read a particular newspaper or listen to a particular kind of music. I'm not going to preach to anyone else about it because it is MY habit, MY vice.

My final thought is they should legalise it, make it available under the same guidelines as alcohol.

cheers,

Maso

I started smoking pot in 1959 {priced at 50 dollors a shoebox full.... this was way before scales were invented lmao.....for ME pot was a gateway drug..... I used many others because I believe pot opened the door { I am and have been in recovery long time} I contracted hep c from needle use....

If you can smoke this times dope and remain concious, work, enjoy life, then I say smoke away..... just beware of the darkside of pot.

Just a follow up thought: I didn't start smoking until I was an adult and by that, I mean in my late 20's. I have had nds who started when they were 14 or 15 and one friend who started when he was even younger. All of them, without fail, look like they are wasted, even when they are straight. They all exhibit classic stoner symptoms i.e forgetfulness, lethargy and apathy. A large percentage also have problems with anxiety and depression. I've spoken to a number of them about this, as they don't understand why I'm not like them. I tell them its because I believe they started smoking while they were still growing and developing. In other words, they were too young. Most agree with me but wouldn't have it any other way now.

well i guess this thread is played out. hope no grudges will be held, this just happens to be a personal subject having lost someone to a driver under the influence.
All I can say is be careful how far you go and good luck.

Steve, this is a bit off topic, but if you could please contact me I have a question about your Mac OS X skin for windows... possible bug. Has to do with minimizing and having the window not recover when it is restored. My email is [email protected] hope to hear from you soon. Thanks.

Well, the doctors says that Marijuana is bad for the brain. They say "brain", not "lungs". Anyway, when you smoke you can feel it in your throat, imagine your lungs making "cof cof" hahaha. I think that a thing that could work is grabe some marijuana leafs and put them in boiling water to make a tea.

Good idea, as far as lung damage goes. Unfortunetely the problem is more complex than that. I don't think people in the US are really that concerned about people's lungs. The gov certainly couldn't give two figs about the lung damage involved. They are only concerned with the drug effects. Although it could be percieved as just another drug, and perhaps prescribed as a relaxant or something, I think the main opposition is due to the stigma it has as a "drug" drug. Ie "that's some drug that potheads and druggies use, we couldn't imagine prescribing it for actual clinical usage". But in reality, it's not much worse than the opiods that they already prescribe (ie codiene, hydrocodone, etc).

Whoa whoa whoa. You drive while stoned? That's dangerous. I support legalization but what you're doing is reckless. That's one of the reasons some people probably fear legalization, is irresponsible idiots like you going about driving stoned. While (possibly) not that harmful than cigerettes, and definetely less harmful than alcohol, that's no excuse to have tons of stoned people walking and driving around all over the place. Anyone who has toked up will tell you that it does impair your reasoning and definetely your reactions. Encouraging others to drive is stupid. Some people do it, but it doesn't make it wise. You just lost yourself a supporter Steve. I agreed with you up until I read the driving part.

Thoughts on marijuana. Ok, uh, let's see. Umm, well it's cool and uh, really, like, oh man, ummm, wait a second man, I had a thought man. whssssssssssssssssh......k......wait........hold on.........whhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Yeah so, you were saying. Oh! right! yeah! This is funny man. Have you ever noticed how funny the word 'hello' sounds? HELLOOOOOOOO. HEllllllOOOOOOOOOOO Oh man, that's a riot man. So my thoughts, right. Ummmmm, ahhhh, where's the Dorito's and dip?

use a vapourizer and you can remove harmful smoke from the equation , people forget that they say Cannabis has a higher tar content than tobacco but you smoke much less cannabis.It's class C in the UK now (same as prescription drugs) The nay sayers are always drinkers and if people really worry about mental health problems associated (but not substantuated) with cannabis they should watch drunk people beat each other to death in town centers all across the world

Marijuana affects a variety of hormones that are regulated by hypothalamic function and it appears that the psychoactive ingredient, THC, is the major compound responsible for this action. It is probable that THC affects these hormones through its ability to alter various neural transmitters in the hypothalamus or neural transmitters in the CNS which impinge on the hypothalamus. The dopaminergic and serotonergic fibers seem to be particularly important. The two gonadotropins, LH and FSH, secreted by the pituitary gland are of major importance to reproduction in the male. Both gonadotropins appear to respond to a single releasing factor from the hypothalamus, GnRH, which is sensitive to catecholamine neurotransmitters. The THC-induced block of GnRH release results in lowered LH and FSH which is responsible for reduced testosterone production by the Leydig cells of the testis. Other hormones that might have a synergistic or antagonistic effect upon reproduction in the male are the adrenal cortical hormones, prolactin, thyroid hormones, and growth hormones. THC appears to depress prolactin, thyroid gland function, and growth hormone while elevating adrenal cortical steroids. Chronic exposure of laboratory animals, such as rats, mice, and monkeys to marijuana and to the various cannabinoids in marijuana has altered the function of several of the accessory reproductive organs. Reports of reduced prostate and seminal vesicle weights, as well as altered testicular function, have been partially explained by the effect of marijuana in lowering serum testosterone needed for proper function and support. Although some of the change in organ weight may be due to lowered testosterone production by the Leydig cells of the testis, some of the weight changes may be due to a direct action of THC, and perhaps some of the other nonpsychoactive cannabinoids in marijuana, on the tissue themselves. Also, of concern are the reports that acute cannabinoid treatments affects the quality and quantity of spermatozoa produced by the testis. The question is still unanswered as to whether or not the effects observed on spermatozoa are due to a direct action of the cannabinoids on spermatogenesis, or whether some of the observed effects may be due to altered hormone levels which are necessary for the support of spermatogenesis. Reduced testosterone and FSH may be important in producing the observed changes in sperm production by the seminiferous tubules. Many of the effects on the endocrine system caused by chronic treatment of animals with THC are completely reversible with time and there is reason to believe that tolerance develops to these effects with acute exposure to THC

i agree drugs are horrible i dont under stand why people use them it's stupid.i have a relative who smokes it's bad for the enviroment and you waste thousands of dollars a year. it's bad for you and if underaged kid is near you it's basically second hand smoke

i agree drugs are horrible i dont under stand why people use them it's stupid.i have a relative who smokes it's bad for the enviroment and you waste thousands of dollars a year. it's bad for you and if underaged kid is near you it's basically second hand smoke

I love how even in 2006 people reply to an article written in 2004. Now I have cleared my mind since I have originally posted this. I still use, but I understand it all now much better. I agree not using clears your mind allows you to focus and think better, driving while sober is much better but can also be worse for those with road rage as marijuana helps relax. That is the only reason I still use is simple to relax as I have a life full of stress and I'm not a heavy drinker. I'm not going to argue it makes anything better, it makes everything worse, but not to an extent of extreme danger. I keep it outta my business and outta the shit I need to focus on, strictly only used during my spare/free time. I will eventually decrease use until it is no more, I am already on the decline. So I wanted to end this on a positive note and not a "GO WEED!!!" post. You shouldn't do it, but those that do, I'm not going to judge, because there really is no point. I don't believe in the laws surrounding it, but I won't get into that. I hope everyone from now on can keep their thoughts to themselves and let this finally rest. Enough as been said, and thats all that needs to be said.

With regards to the comments about it being illegal to drive while under the influence of Marijuana, this has just been found not to be the case by a judge here in Canada, who decided that there is no proof as to what the actual impairment is and that so far it can't be measured. He recently dismissed a case of impaired driving. While I agree there is no way to measure it, that it impairs ones ability is a fact, I as a long term smoker will not deny, but so do many things that are not drug related like talking on a cell phone which they are finally making illegal in some places. I would also point out that I did not get my drivers licence until I was 27 because I used to like to party and never wanted to even have to make the decision whether I was too impaired to drive.

as it goes 4 the lady who thinks pot shouldnt be legal should sit back and rethink her view. marijuana is a very good and effective drug. ive used it for years for cronic back pain and mental uses advised firmly by doctors. if u think acohol is a better to be legal the pot than u need your head examined. i have lost several freinds and family members due to alcojol due to alcohol poisioning or accidents due to driving drunk, but yet i have yet lost nobody to smoking pot so if u see any harm there then u need thrown out of our country or shot. im a strong beliver in pot it has acctualy saved people i know personaly. it saved my aunt and uncle whoe had cancer but is in remission due to pot and help my best freind of 15 yrs who has m s. and now is able to walk. so im strongly for legalizing pot.

marijuana is not as bad as smoking or drinking

Do not be disillusioned. Smoking marijuana is far worst than somking cigarettes.

Smoking both cigs and pot produce the carcinogen benzopyrene. Make no mistake that this substance is astronomically more present in marijuana than it is in cigarettes.

This is the major substance that is most harmful when smoking any organic substance.