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NIDA Capsule C- 88- 06 (May 1994) Marijuna Update


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NIDA CAPSULE C-88-06 Revised May 1994

MARIJUANA UPDATE

Marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit drug in the U.S.
According to the 1992 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse,
more than 67.5 million (32.8%) Americans had tried marijuana at
least once in their lifetimes, and almost 17.5 million (8.5%) had
used marijuana within the past year. In 1985, 51.5 (33.5%)
million Americans had tried marijuana at least once in their
lifetimes, and 23.7 million (15.4%) had used marijuana within the
past year.

The 1993 Monitoring the Future Survey

NIDA's MTF survey assesses drug use among high school seniors and
young adults across the country. In 1991, the survey was
expanded to include data on eighth and tenth graders. Since
1979, there has been a downward trend in marijuana use among
youth. Annual marijuana use among high school seniors was down to
26% in 1993, about half the rate of 1979, but up from 21.9% in
1992. Lifetime use among high school seniors decreased from 60.4%
in 1979 to 35.3% in 1993, up from 32.6% in 1992.

PERCENT OF SENIORS WHO HAVE USED MARIJUANA

1979 1985 1991 1992 1993

Ever Used 60.4 54.2 36.7 32.6 35.3

Used In Past Year 50.8 40.6 23.6 21.9 26.0

Used In Past Month 36.5 25.7 13.8 11.9 15.5



PERCENT OF 8TH AND 10TH GRADERS WHO HAVE USED MARIJUANA 1993

8th 10th
graders graders

Ever Used 12.6 24.4

Used in Past Year 9.2 19.2

Used in Past Month 5.1 10.9

EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA ON THE BRAIN

Significant progress has been made by NIDA grantees in
determining how marijuana acts on the brain. One study found
that in rats chronic THC exposure damages and destroys nerve
cells and causes other pathological changes in the hippocampus.
In fact, several animal studies have focused attention on the
hippocampus, the major component of the brain's limbic system
that is crucial for learning, memory, and the integration of
sensory experiences with emotions and motivation. Taken
together, these results may provide clues to the mechanisms
underlying marijuana-induced euphoria and loss of memory.

Researchers have found that THC, the active ingredient in
marijuana, changes theway in which sensory information gets into
and is acted on by the hippocampus--the part of the brain that
scientists believe underlies memory. Investigations have shown
that neurons in the information processing system of the
hippocampus and the activity of the nerve fibers are suppressed
by THC. In addition, researchers have discovered that learned
behaviors, depending on the hippocampus, also deteriorate.

EFFECT ON THE LUNGS

Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles, found
that the daily use of one to three marijuana joints appears to
produce approximately the same lung damage and potential cancer
risk as smoking 5 times as many cigarettes. The study results
suggest that the way smokers inhale marijuana, in addition to its
chemical composition, increases the adverse physical effects.
The same lung cancer risks associated with tobacco also apply to
marijuana users even though they smoke far less. The study
findings refute the argument that marijuana is safer than tobacco
because users only smoke a few joints a day.

EFFECT ON HEART RATE AND BLOOD PRESSURE

Recent findings indicate that smoking marijuana while shooting up
cocaine has the potential to cause severe increases in heart rate
and blood pressure. In one study, experienced marijuana and
cocaine users were given marijuana alone, cocaine alone, and then
given a combination of both. Each drug alone produced
cardiovascular effects. When they were combined, the effects
were greater and lasted longer. The heart beat of the subjects
in the study increased 29 beats per minute with marijuana alone
and 32 beats per minute with cocaine alone. When the drugs were
given together, the heart rate increased by 49 beats per minute
and persisted for a longer time. The drugs were given with the
subjects sitting quietly. In normal circumstances, an individual
may smoke marijuana and inject cocaine and then do something
physically stressful they may significantly increase risks of
overload on the cardiovascular system.

ADULTS USING MARIJUANA REGULARLY FAIL TO CONFRONT PROBLEMS

A series of in-depth case studies by a research team at the
Center for Psychosocial Studies in New York City found that
adults who smoked marijuana daily believed it helped them
function better, improving self-awareness and relationships with
others. However, researchers found that users were more willing
to tolerate problems, suggesting that the drug served as a buffer
for those who would rather avoid confronting problems than make
changes that might increase their satisfaction with life. The
study indicated that these subjects used marijuana to avoid
dealing with their difficulties and the avoidance inevitably made
their problems worse. The most striking observation is the
discrepancy between what study participants say and what is
actually going on. Although users believed the drug enhanced
understanding of themselves, it actually served as a barrier
against self awareness.
RECENT RESEARCH ON THE THC RECEPTOR

In 1988 it was discovered that the membranes of certain nerve
cells contain protein receptors that bind THC, marijuana's active
ingredient. Once securely in place, THC kicks off a series of
cellular reactions that ultimately lead to the "high"that users
experience when they smoke a marijuana cigarette. It was
reasoned that a THC-like compound must exist in the body and bind
to these receptors. In 1992, researchers identified a naturally
occurring chemical in the body that binds to the these same
receptors. Named anandamide, this compound behaves chemically
like THC.

Studies will continue with anandamide to understand how it
interacts with THC receptors to affect memory, movement, hunger,
pain, and other functions that are altered by marijuana use.

 
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