Science Update: Cannabis Does Not Cause Zombieism

[Friday]

by Anthony Johnson â€˘ July 2, 2012 â€˘ Blog, Featured

Munchies? Maybe. Zombieism? Not so much.

Zombies seem to be all the rage these days. The Walking Dead on AMC is a hit tv show and zombie-like attacks have been popping up across the country. The United States Center for Disease Control even issued a statement denying the fact that we are living in the beginning stages of the zombie apocalypse.  When I am running (okay, jogging) on the treadmill at the gym, I like to imagine that zombies are chasing me as motivation. And now, marijuana has somehow been linked to zombies. What in the name of George Romero is going on here?

Unfortunately, a poor man down in Miami suffered through a horrific zombie-like attack before police shot the attacker. Media reports immediately latched onto bath salts, a new stimulant drug on the street, as the cause of the attackers psychotic rage. However, the toxicology reports didn’t detect any drugs in the attacker’s system except cannabis. Many of my friends have told me that they thought of me once they heard this, wondering what my take would be and if whether we were going to experience the latest Reefer Madness propaganda: that cannabis turns you into a zombie.

While I never put anything past those who work to preserve cannabis prohibition, as they clearly aren’t basing their contention on facts and reason and usually have a financial interest in prohibition, I figured that claims that marijuana turns you into a zombie would fall upon deaf ears to the general public. Too many people have tried cannabis or know people that have to fall for such nonsense. It would be just as likely that a secret government rage virus escaped a military lab to cause the zombie-like symptoms than Northern Lights or Strawberry Cough. I figured that trying to link cannabis to zombieism would just further discredit prohibitionists. However, I’m just an activist, so it is nice to be backed up by doctors, who have put the zombie-cannabis connection to rest.

From Discovery News:

Pot has been known to cause the munchies, but could it really have triggered Eugene’s frenzied, near-fatal biting attack on the face of fellow homeless man Ronald Poppo? At the time of the May 26 attack, doctors said Eugene exhibited “paranoid delirium,” a hyperexcited state induced when a drug overdose increases the body’s concentration of adrenalinelike hormones, essentially sending survival instincts into overdrive. Overdoses of cocaine, amphetamines, bath salts and LSD have all been known to trigger paranoid delirium. But pot?

It definitely wasn’t the pot, doctors say.

“Some people have said, ‘Well, it must have been the marijuana that triggered Eugene’s behavior.’ That, in my opinion, is outrageous, and out of the question. Marijuana will not cause this type of behavior,” said Dr. Bruce Goldberger, professor and director of toxicology at the University of Florida.

Once again, a position of cannabis activists (that cannabis does not turn you into a zombie) is backed by science, logic and…BRAINS!

LINK

[Friday]

Quoting mehamil1:

The man was insane. I don't know what triggered him and I feel horribly about this whole situation. No one in their right mind acts like that. I can only imagine what he must have been through. 

And I'm so happy that Ronald Poppo is doing well. From the articles I've read he is in good spirits. Which is amazingly awesome. I'm so glad he's getting treatment and was not left to die because he was homeless and obviously without insurance. He's got a long road ahead of him. 

The only thing I've ever seen a pot head attack is a fridge. So no, it wasn't the weed. 

Unfortunately there are many who still buy into the reefer madness propaganda.

[shimamab]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/15871146/?i=4&from=/19783132/related 


" For psychotic symptoms, a dose-related effect of cannabis use was seen, with vulnerable groups including individuals who used cannabis during adolescence, those who had previously experienced psychotic symptoms, and those at high genetic risk of developing schizophrenia. In conclusion, the available evidence supports the hypothesis that cannabis is an independent risk factor, both for psychosis and the development of psychotic symptoms. Addressing cannabis use, particularly in vulnerable populations, is likely to have beneficial effects on psychiatric morbidity. "

**Causal effect seen on vulnerable groups (adolescents, those with previous psychotic symptoms, those genetically predisposed to schizophrenia) which can easily be addressed with age limit laws and doctor approval. **

[shimamab]

Glad you found relief!

Quoting Kate_Momof3:

I had a bad flare-up of nerve pain last night to the point where I was crying and begging my dh to take me to the ER. Let me tell you after waiting for several OTC and prescribed pain meds (no, not narcotics) to kick in, my dh handed me a packed bowl and I was comfortable instantly. I was able to get a full night's sleep.

[Friday]

Quoting Kate_Momof3:

I had a bad flare-up of nerve pain last night to the point where I was crying and begging my dh to take me to the ER. Let me tell you after waiting for several OTC and prescribed pain meds (no, not narcotics) to kick in, my dh handed me a packed bowl and I was comfortable instantly. I was able to get a full night's sleep.

I'm so glad it helped you. I know it sounds corny but friends, and strangers, like you are the reason I fight and don't mind the ignorant thinking I'm some crazy pothead. Did you look into a medical card or whatever your state is setting up?

[Friday]

Quoting sweet-a-kins:

Undiagnosed and unmedicated people with mental illness and known to self medicate with drugs or alcohol

The drugs don't cause the illness

The illness causes one to seek something to make them stop feeling the way they are

Quoting imamomzilla:

 The Link Between Marijuana and Schizophrenia

Since the days of Reefer Madness, scientists have sought to understand the complex connection between marijuana and psychosis. Cannabis can cause short-term psychotic experiences, such as hallucinations and paranoia, even in healthy people, but researchers have also long noted a link between marijuana use and the chronic psychotic disorder, schizophrenia.

Repeatedly, studies have found that people with schizophrenia are about twice as likely to smoke pot as those who are unaffected. Conversely, data suggest that those who smoke cannabis are twice as likely to develop schizophrenia as nonsmokers. One widely publicized 2007 review of the research even concluded that trying marijuana just once was associated with a 40% increase in risk of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

(time.com)

Thank you. The substance doesn't cause their problem. Some will keep up the willful ignorance till the cows come home.

[mehamil1]

It does impair judgement. But not to the point where eating a person's face seems like a grand idea. 

I cannot tell you how many times I've eaten a special brownie in the midst of a panic attack. Never once has another person looked delicious enough to eat. My mother's beef stew on the other hand...yum. 

Quoting Jambo4:

It impairs judgement... so I still think it was a factor... However, the toxicology reports didn’t detect any drugs in the attacker’s system except cannabis.

[Friday]

Quoting Kate_Momof3:

Oh, and I didn't eat my family or pets.

I've been a medical mj pt for a number of years and self medicated prior to that and never once thought about eating anyone or anything that wasn't in my fridge or pantry. Hell, dh has smoked for over 30 years, his uncles over 40...no cannibalism or eating pets.

[Friday]

Quoting mehamil1:

I don't smoke it but I'll eat it in a brownie. It's one of the few things that will calm me down instantly. Sometimes I get really bad anxiety and that's not good for my heart. A couple bites of a special brownie and I am totally cool. It just disappears and does not come back once the high wears off. Which is what is awesome about it. 

I prefer that then anti anxiety meds which have stupid side effects. Some of which are not good for my heart. My doctor actually recommended weed to me to treat it rather than giving me a pharmaceutical drug. Medical marijuana is not yet legal in IL though. I buy it from a grower in Minnesota.  

That's awesome that it helps you an dI know about side effects from rx meds, bad news. If you haven't already check out NORML and MPP for info on efforts in your state. There's a number of bills being worked on.

[mehamil1]

There's been a huge push for medical MJ in Illinois. I don't know when it'll happen. Hopefully soon. 

I cannot take most of those meds because of my heart. MJ has no ill effect on my heart. So right now it's the best option. 

Quoting Friday:

Quoting mehamil1:

I don't smoke it but I'll eat it in a brownie. It's one of the few things that will calm me down instantly. Sometimes I get really bad anxiety and that's not good for my heart. A couple bites of a special brownie and I am totally cool. It just disappears and does not come back once the high wears off. Which is what is awesome about it. 

I prefer that then anti anxiety meds which have stupid side effects. Some of which are not good for my heart. My doctor actually recommended weed to me to treat it rather than giving me a pharmaceutical drug. Medical marijuana is not yet legal in IL though. I buy it from a grower in Minnesota.  

That's awesome that it helps you an dI know about side effects from rx meds, bad news. If you haven't already check out NORML and MPP for info on efforts in your state. There's a number of bills being worked on.

[Friday]

Quoting mehamil1:

There's been a huge push for medical MJ in Illinois. I don't know when it'll happen. Hopefully soon. 

I cannot take most of those meds because of my heart. MJ has no ill effect on my heart. So right now it's the best option. 

Quoting Friday:

Quoting mehamil1:

I don't smoke it but I'll eat it in a brownie. It's one of the few things that will calm me down instantly. Sometimes I get really bad anxiety and that's not good for my heart. A couple bites of a special brownie and I am totally cool. It just disappears and does not come back once the high wears off. Which is what is awesome about it. 

I prefer that then anti anxiety meds which have stupid side effects. Some of which are not good for my heart. My doctor actually recommended weed to me to treat it rather than giving me a pharmaceutical drug. Medical marijuana is not yet legal in IL though. I buy it from a grower in Minnesota.  

That's awesome that it helps you an dI know about side effects from rx meds, bad news. If you haven't already check out NORML and MPP for info on efforts in your state. There's a number of bills being worked on.

NORML and MPP will send you email alerts of upcoming events and legislation in your state and have pre-written letters to send to your reps in support. I hope Ill legalizes medical soon.