Marijuana

[samtan]

Does marijuana fit in anywhere in a strength athlete's lifestyle.

[jsonbrent]

haaah....i found this one by colossus

In human males, cannabis smoking has been shown to decrease blood levels of the three hormones LH, FSH, and testosterone. Moreover, an increased incidence of low sperm count has been reported in men who were heavy marijuana smokers. Other studies did not find measurable differences in men who were light or heavy marijuana users. Acute THC treatment produces a consistent and significant dose- and time-related decrease in LH and testosterone levels in male rodents. In the male rhesus monkey, an acute dose of THC produced a 65% reduction in blood testosterone levels by 60 min of treatment that lasted for approximately 24 hr.
(Please note: This text has been taken from a scientific text. Some sentences have been changed to improve understandability.)
Murphy L. Hormonal system and reproduction. In: Grotenhermen F, Russo E, eds. Grotenhermen, F., Russo, E. (eds.): Cannabis and cannabinoids. Pharmacology, toxicology, and therapeutic potential. Haworth Press, Binghamton/New York 2001, in press.



6.5.1 Effects on the male reproductive system

In animals, marijuana, crude marijuana extracts, THC and certain other
purified cannabinoids have been shown to "depress the functioning of
the male reproductive endocrine system" (Bloch, 1983, p355). If used
chronically, cannabis reduces plasma testosterone levels, retards
sperm maturation, reducing the sperm count and sperm motility, and
increasing the rate of abnormal sperm (Bloch, 1983, National Academy
of Science, 1982; Wenger et al, 1992). Although the mechanisms by
which cannabis produces these effects are uncertain, it is likely that
they occur both directly as a result of action of THC on the testis,
and indirectly via effects on the hypothalamic secretion of the
hormones that stimulate the testis to produce testosterone (Wenger et
al, 1992).



Psychoactive Drugs and Athletic Performance
Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
THE PHYSICIAN AND SPORTSMEDICINE - VOL 25 - NO. 1 - JANUARY 97

Marijuana. This drug is tried by at least a third of high school students and may be used more commonly than cigarettes because it is incorrectly perceived to contain fewer toxic irritants and ergolytic chemicals than tobacco smoke (14,15). Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient, causes sedation and euphoria at low doses and hallucinations and psychosis at high doses. Its effects on athletic performance are increased reaction time, decreased fine-motor coordination, and increased heart rate. These effects, along with the vasodilating effect, cause an athlete to reach maximal heart rate at a lower than normal intensity of exercise, resulting in a decreased maximal work capacity. Chronic marijuana use has been associated with decreased motivation to perform and to give a maximal effort as well as with decreased circulating testosterone levels (8); this second effect may be persuasive when counseling teenage male athletes against marijuana use. Marijuana use is illegal and is banned by the NCAA. National and international sports federations test athletes for marijuana use on a discretionary basis.

The Psychological Effects of Marijuana Use:

Mahes Ramachandran
Department of Psychology
Simon Fraser University

Effects on the reproductive systems of both men and women showed different effects. In men, a single dose of THC lowers sperm count and the level of testosterone (Hollister, 1986).




As always there are counter studies, and doctors who say it has little effect on testosterone. Take everything as a grain of sand and make your own decisions.


Are you satisfied skeeve. I dont just pull this shit out of my ass if thats what your thinking.
Last edited by colossus : 01-09-2005 at 02:53 PM.

[samtan]

Good job clossus, and good job json... but a question arises from:

an acute dose of THC produced a 65% reduction in blood testosterone levels by 60 min of treatment that lasted for approximately 24 hr.

A 24 hr. decrease in test levels doesn't seem like it would have much effect on the recreational marijuana smoker. In the long term it doesn't seem like much? How detrimental culd 24 hours of reduced testosterone be?

I liked this one the most:

Chronic marijuana use has been associated with decreased motivation to perform.

'Cuz they're high!

[godkilla]

sure fits into my lifestyle. quite often actually :lol2:

[jsonbrent]

Originally Posted by godkilla

sure fits into my lifestyle. quite often actually :lol2:

i gess it depends on if you are training/cycling n such.....if you just hit it hard @ the gym and then went and smoked a bowl your workout would be kinda negated.....you wanna keep your test as high as possible at all times esp. when training.....the occasional smoke prolly wont hurt ya but everyone i know are chronic.....i gess its the whole "b.c." lifestyle...haaah

[samtan]

I found this in the same thread you quoted. From bobblehead:

NEW STUDY FINDS POT DOESN'T LOWER TESTOSTERONE

A new study by Dr. Robert Block at the University of
Iowa disputes the commonly held notion that marijuana alters
the level of testosterone and other sex hormones.
The study contradicted a widely publicized 1974 study
by Dr. R.C. Kolodony, which reported decreased testosterone
levels in men who smoked marijuana chronically.
The U. of Iowa study found that chronic marijuana use
had no effect on testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle
stimulating hormone, prolactin and cortisol in men or women.
Noting that six other studies had failed to show
lowered testosterone levels in men, Dr. Block concluded: "It
appears that marijuana, even heavy use of the kind that's
typical in the United States, doesn't alter testosterone levels."
However, he cautioned that heavy use might have other
adverse effects, including "possible effects on reproductive
function and mild, selective cognitive impairments associated
with heavy, chronic use."
Block's study is published in Drug and Alcohol
Dependence, Vol. 28: 121-8 (1991).

Conscerning the respiratory affects of marijuana:

"The only clinically significant medical problem is that
scientifically linked to marijuana is bronchitis. Like smoking
tobacco, the treatment is the same: stop smoking." Source: Dr. Fred
Oerther, M.D.

[Squat4Life]

I haven't been able to light up since last year... I h8 all of u.

[Colossus]

Stupid drug users......why dont you all just stay drug free like me and use steroids.

[oldman]

Originally Posted by colossus

Stupid drug users......why dont you all just stay drug free like me and use steroids.

LMAO! Good one C I used pot to keep my food intake up yes the munchies plus it helped me relax, help deal with soreness too. I suggest to keep your use low use a one hitter smoke just what you need no need to get just stoned stupid all the time

[oldman]

Originally Posted by Squat4Life

I haven't been able to light up since last year... I h8 all of u.

Here is to you Squat as the sound of a lighter goes off then the slow inhale drag along with the crackling of the herb lights up! Anyway flyboy you do not need to be lighting up if you have live missles on board lord only knows which direction they would go. It has been so long for me I would pass out for a week.