How many people have never done drugs?

[lisamariewillbe 1]

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It still does bad things to people

Although I agree with both sides and choose to not have much of a opinion, you can say the above sentence about at least the following

Liquor
cigerrettes
profanity
sex
sheep sex
driving
skydiving
artifical sweetner
atkins
swimming
perfume use
bathing
Frenchy
red dye
mcdonalds chicken nuggets
bandaids

etc
etc

I do know that many herbs have been used for various reasons regardless if it is medical or enjoyment. What one must remember is that depending on what you choose there are risks, sometimes the risk is worth the reward and sometimes it is not.

Sudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this
Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this

[tso-d_chris 0]

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But geesh...as long as it doesn't cause lung cancer, it's good for you?!

Read again ... there was a consistent lower rate for lung cancer among marijuana users vs. non- marijuana users. In other words, even the most die-hard prohibitionist researcher (Tashkin) has indicated that it is quite possible that using pot reduces your chance for lung cancer.

As far as lower sperm count or permanent brain damage, those myths have been long since disproven.

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I think the point you are trying to make is that it isn't as bad for you in regards to lung cancer as cigarettes.

You would be wrong. That is not the point I made.

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When's the last time you heard of someone falling off a balcony because they lost their mind smoking Marlboros? It still does bad things to people, even though the altered state might be a good thing to some.

When was the last time you heard an actual case of someone falling off a balcony because they smoked a joint?

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I'm thinking the altered state might be a tad more in line with what's dangerous

How exactly is this dangerous?

[lawrocket 3]

The damage to brain cells argument has not been disproven. Smoking a joint kills hundreds of brain cells.

Of course, a couple of beers kills thousands of them...

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[tso-d_chris 0]

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The damage to brain cells argument has not been disproven.

Yes it has.

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Two new scientific studies have failed to find evidence
of brain damage in monkeys exposed to marijuana, undercutting
claims that marijuana causes brain damage in humans.
The studies were conducted by two independent
research groups. The first, conducted by Dr. William Slikker,
Jr. and others at the National Center for Toxicological Research
in Arkansas examined some 64 rhesus monkeys, half of which
were exposed to daily or weekly doses of marijuana smoke for
a year. The other, by Gordon T. Pryor and Charles Rebert at SRI
International in Menlo Park, California, which is still
unpublished, looked at over 30 rhesus monkeys that had inhaled
marijuana one to three times a day over periods of 6 to 12
months. Neither study found evidence of structural or
neurochemical changes in the brains of the monkeys when
examined a few months after cessation of smoking.
The new results cast doubt on earlier studies
purporting to show brain damage in animals. The most famous
of these was a study by Dr. Robert Heath, who claimed to find
brain damage in three monkeys heavily exposed to cannabis.
Heath's results failed to win general acceptance in the
scientific community because of the small number of subjects,
questionable controls, and heavy doses.
Subsequent rat experiments by Dr. Slikker and others
reported persistent structural changes in the brain cells of
rats chronically exposed to THC. The studies did not show that
pot kills brain cells, as alleged by some pot critics, but they
did show degeneration of the nerve connections between brain
cells in the hippocampus, where THC is known to be active.
Although scientists have regarded the animal evidence
as inconclusive, some critics have cited it as proof that pot
causes brain damage in humans. Thus Andrew Mecca, the
director of California Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse,
recently stated on the Ron Reagan, Jr. talk show (Sep. 2, 1991)
that marijuana "leaves a black protein substance in the
synaptic cleft" of brain cells, a claim apparently based on
Heath's monkeys. When asked by a NORML member for his
evidence, Mecca sent a list of three references, none of which
turned out to have anything to do with brain damage.
Although the new monkey studies found no physical
brain damage, they did observe behavioral changes from
marijuana. Slikker's group found that monkeys exposed once a
day to the human equivalent of four or five joints showed
persistent effects throughout the day. Slikker says that the
effects faded gradually after they were taken off marijuana,
and were not detectable seven months later, when they were
sacrificed. Autopsies did reveal lingering chemical changes in
the immune cells in the lungs of monkeys that had inhaled THC.
However, Slikker's group concluded that experimental exposure
to marijuana smoke "does not compromise the general health of
the rhesus monkey."

References:

William Slikker, Jr. et al, "Chronic Marijuana Smoke Exposure in the Rhesus
Monkey," Fundamental and Applied Toxicology 17: 321-32 (1991)

Guy Cabral et al, "Chronic Marijuana Smoke Alters Alveolar Macrophage
Morphology and Protein Expression, Pharmacology Biochemistry and
Behavior 40: 643-9 (1991)

Merle Paule et al., "Chronic Marijuana Smoke Exposure in the Rhesus Monkey
II: Effects on Progressive Ratio and Conditioned Position
Responding," Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
260: 210-22 (1992)

http://paranoia.lycaeum.org/marijuana/facts/3-mj-myths

(www.google.com search terms: marijuana brain cells)

If I had time I would find a more complete list of sources for you.

[riddler 0]

A recent statistic polled Americans, and found out that about 25% of them never tried or even experimented with illegal drugs. Considering the prevailance in our country, and the lifespan of 70-80 years, I think that's a pretty big number.

Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

[stevebabin 0]

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So who out there has never done it and what are your reasons?

I've never done any illegal drugs. The primary reason is the "illegal" part. That alone has the potential to screw up my life beyond what is acceptable to me. I enjoy my life the way it is. (Not living in a cage, for instance...)

Your mileage may vary.
Steve

"Science, logic and reason will fly you to the moon. Religion will fly you into buildings."
"Because figuring things out is always better than making shit up."

[ACMESkydiver 0]

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Read again ... there was a consistent lower rate for lung cancer among marijuana users vs. non- marijuana users. In other words, even the most die-hard prohibitionist researcher (Tashkin) has indicated that it is quite possible that using pot reduces your chance for lung cancer.

I would wonder, however, if it is because they are smoking a joint in the place of smoking a cigarette each time if that isn't what's lowering the instances. Less carcinogen = less risk?

I hope you're right though, but I didn't see a direct correlation unless it stated that the subjects smoked the same amount of cigarettes, and then it's still silly...you can't get identical people for control groups, we really don't know for certain if their helath was identical (this is true for ALL research, not just this one in particular.)

-If it truly did lower the risk with the ADDITION of marajuana smoking, that would be a good thing...I have lost too many to lung cancer personally, I'm sure many others have too.

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When's the last time you heard of someone falling off a balcony because they lost their mind smoking Marlboros? It still does bad things to people, even though the altered state might be a good thing to some.

When was the last time you heard an actual case of someone falling off a balcony because they smoked a joint?

[PLFXpert 0]

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The damage to brain cells argument has not been disproven. Smoking a joint kills hundreds of brain cells.

Since we only use 10% of our brain's cells, it seems we have plenty to waste

But, I'm not arguing for or against it. To each their own

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[mailin 0]

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To each their own

ex-f'ing-actly! If it doesn't affect you directly, who gives a rats ass what someone else is doing?


Jen

Arianna Frances

[tso-d_chris 0]

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I would wonder, however, if it is because they are smoking a joint in the place of smoking a cigarette each time if that isn't what's lowering the instances. Less carcinogen = less risk?

I hope you're right though, but I didn't see a direct correlation unless it stated that the subjects smoked the same amount of cigarettes, and then it's still silly...you can't get identical people for control groups, we really don't know for certain if their helath was identical (this is true for ALL research, not just this one in particular.)

Tashkin was careful about using control groups. Remember, the purpose of the study was to provide irrefuteble scientific proof that cannabis did in fact cause lung cancer. Tashkin never tried to prove the opposite; he just acknowledged that his hypothesis was incorrect and that a hypothesis stating the opposite was reasonable, and merits further testing.

This was neither the first nor largest study to demonstrate this.

[ACMESkydiver 0]

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I would wonder, however, if it is because they are smoking a joint in the place of smoking a cigarette each time if that isn't what's lowering the instances. Less carcinogen = less risk?

I hope you're right though, but I didn't see a direct correlation unless it stated that the subjects smoked the same amount of cigarettes, and then it's still silly...you can't get identical people for control groups, we really don't know for certain if their helath was identical (this is true for ALL research, not just this one in particular.)

Tashkin was careful about using control groups. Remember, the purpose of the study was to provide irrefuteble scientific proof that cannabis did in fact cause lung cancer. Tashkin never tried to prove the opposite; he just acknowledged that his hypothesis was incorrect and that a hypothesis stating the opposite was reasonable, and merits further testing.

This was neither the first nor largest study to demonstrate this.

Very good. I hope it's right. I hope it becomes the next 'seaweed shake' or health nut stuff, because if it does, I'll have some of the healthiest friends anywhere...

-I wonder if ingesting it some other way would be better though? I can't see how inhaling any type of smoke (which would have to include carbon particles from the burn) would be good for the lung tissue.

Somebody tried to explain the concept of a water bong to me once, but I still don't understand. It's never been at the top of my 'things I need to know' list, especially since I might be subject to random testing here soon...I haven't had the recent opportunity or interest to explore it anyhoo.

-And are hash brownies for real? I'm kind of naive on these things...that plant has the same effect even if eaten after it's baked? He hee, a prescription for 'hash brownies' at the local drug store...

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[Lainey 0]

My choice is what I choose to do
And if I’m causing no harm
It shouldn’t bother you
Your choice is who you choose to be
And if you're causin’ no harm
Then you’re alright with me - Ben Harper

And you shed not a single tear for the things that you didn't need
'Cause you knew you were finally free - Death Cab For Cutie

[wingnut 0]

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And are hash brownies for real? I'm kind of naive on these things...that plant has the same effect even if eaten after it's baked

yup, they will get you high!! takes a litle longer though, smoking it is much quicker.... and less calories....lol..

______________________________________
"i have no reader's digest version"

[neoteng 0]

your lack of is affecting my time in the house.

[skydivermom 0]

I have never done drugs. I do not drink alcohol.

I really only have one reason but it's a very good one. I watched my dad die a slow death from drinking too much for many years. That's the best AA program in the world!

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[skymedic 0]

I have never done drugs....never have even TRIED smoking...let alone actualy have a cigar or cigarette in my mouth....

Only mind altering substances I have been on is alcohol...but that I didn't even have my first taste of beer till I was 24ish...I also had heavy pain medication when i was going through chemo. but that's excusable i'd say.

Marc
otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman....

[SpeedRacer 1]

cannabis has different effects when it is eaten than when it is smoked.

and a bong is just a water pipe. When you inhale, the smoke bubbles through the water before it gets to your mouth. This cools the smoke, removes some water-soluble irritants/carcinogens, and thereby makes the smoke a bit less harmful to your lungs.

Speed Racer
--------------------------------------------------

[SpeedRacer 1]

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Smoking a joint kills hundreds of brain cells.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since we only use 10% of our brain's cells, it seems we have plenty to waste

The first statement has not been proven. It has not even been proven that , as previously believed, alcohol kills brain cells.

The second statement is a myth. We may use only 10% of our brain at any given instant, but we use pretty much all of our brain.

Speed Racer
--------------------------------------------------

[riggerrob 643]

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Ok let me clarify... illegal drugs!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Alcohol is illegal if consumed in excess.
Just try telling a traffic cop that he should let you off because you consumed a "legal" drug.
Hee!
Hee!

Americans can be such hypocrits when it comes to recreational drugs!

[dmcoco84 5]

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I've smoked pot a few times, wish I hadn't. One time I remember smoking weed with a friend, and I had to keep swatting all these big "bugs" that I felt were crawling all over me. Needless to say, the bugs weren't really there

That’s Major BS. Weed doesn't make you hallucinate cracky! Hey aren’t you the one that posted about being a good Christian. Hmmm you smoked pot, guess your going to hell.

[grue 1]

I've never had alcohol, tobacco, or any other non-medical-use drug, unless you count caffeine. I don't take anything stronger than tylenol or ibuprofen 99% of the time. I used vicodin once after a surgery, didn't like the effect, used extra strength tylenol.

cavete terrae.

[skydivermom 0]

It looks to me like she said she HAS SMOKED. Doesn't that mean in the past? What does that have to do with her being a Christian now, in the PRESENT? The apostle Paul killed Christians before he became one for crying out loud!

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[dmcoco84 5]

Jesus Christ!! It was a joke.

[billvon 3,075]

Never done any drug other than alcohol. And a few prescription drugs for pain.

[skydivermom 0]

I am not Jesus Christ! (Also joking)
Sorry for the knee-jerk reaction. She took a lot of heat in her recent post about being proud to be a Christian and I guess I kinda felt sorry for her.

Hey, maybe next time put a little smiley guy after your post.

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28