Marijauana?

[jimmy1234]

I know that this topic has been discussed a million times but I was wondering if someone had a link to a thread where an actual doctor weighed in on the subject. I have read studies that says it does cause it and others that say there is no link. Thanks guys

[Grandpa Bambu]

Hold on a sec here... what about all the guys who smoke grass 24/7 and don't have have G?

GB...

[headheldhigh01]

try marijuana and either bermant or jacobs or maybe md or study on the site search engine, it's possible you'll get better results for anything further back.  the subject comes up frequently but there may have been a post or two like that within the last year too.  

[PBC]

Hold on a sec here... what about all the guys who smoke grass 24/7 and don't have have G?

GB...

Lucky B******S!! In all seriousness though, this topic has been beat to death a thousand times over. When I smoke, there is without a doubt soreness and "fuller" almost engorged feeling to my gyne. Now does this prove anything? Maybe, maybe not. Your mind is a powerful thing, and can decieve you into seeing and feeling things that aren't really there. At any rate, I was a chronic smoker (no pun intended!!) and have managed to drop it completely since May and have lived to talk about it! In retrospect, I could have payed for 5 gyne surgeries with all of the money I have spent on a weed that grows for free. Live and learn I suppose!

[Paa_Paw]

I'm old enough to remember when it was raised here in California as a legal cash crop. It was raised for fiber to make rope. I recall being with my Dad and having him note the distinctive smell, he would say: "What's that guy smoking? A rope?"

Even though I am anti-weed, I cannot say that it will cause Gynecomastia any more than it will fit other of the long list of false things said about it over the years by well meaning but misguided people.

The first truth about Marijuana is that no one is telling the whole truth. The Anti-Marijuana people are still telling exagerated stories about how evil it is and the Potheads are still saying that it has no effect on them. Both are lying and we know it.

The relationship between Pot and Gynecomastia is not an easy case to make, either for or against, if you are talking to a devout user or equally dedicated non-user. We are well aware that there are some regular smokers who do not have Gynecomastia. Yes, we have heard all the arguments both ways.

There remains one fact that cannot be denied, Marijuana users have a higher incidence of Gynecomastia than non-users.  Given the fact that users often try to conceal their habit, the relationship could be more significant than we might expect..

[dondante]

Unfortunately, there's never been, and probably will never be a proper scientific study on whether marijuana has affects gyne. And even if there was a well-funded, well intentioned study - the logistical challenges that would need to be overcome by it would be mind-boggling - in my opinion, insurmountable. It frankly surprises me to hear Doctors claim that it does or doesn't cause gyne when there really isn't any conclusive scientific proof. Speaking from personal experience, my gyne was already very well established on my body years before I tried my first puff. My personal opinion, and it's only that, an opinion - the likelihood of marijuana directly causing gyne is pretty much on par with masturbation causing hairy palms.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

I have heard stories on both sides of the issue.  As far as I know, there has not been any scientifically controlled, double-blinded studies about the subject.  So it all boils down believing what you want to believe in.  There are just as many stories of men who smoked THC who never developed gyne as stories of those who did smoke and did develop gyne.  Coincidental?  Perhaps.  But we truly do not know for sure.

Dr Jacobs

[freefromG]

Iam doin an assignment on the effects of pesticide/herbicides cycles and found that marijauna is listed as a (natural) Endocrine Disrupting Chemical/compound (EDC - subtances that act like hormones in the endocrine system) under the subranch of pharmaceuticals (illegal), we know that other pharmaceuticals can cause hormonal changes that can cause gland development in males over extended use (which are also EDC's).

As a disclaimer, soy products and some other foods are also EDC's, could not find the significance of these findings as i have not read or found any papers relating to it specifically. It could be the same as saying air is toxic to the human body...if you concerntrated the CO2 enough.

[Mauranius]

Pure Bullocks,

There is no reason to assume Marijuana (Cannabis) has any effect on fat deposits or hypertrophy, hyperplasia of the breast tissue.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_cannabis

Here you can read the full effects. It is however noticeable Marijuana use can be a predilection for getting gyneacomastia as it induces "the munchies". Also it has been said that after long use of cannabis due to THC (the main component) there is a drop in Testosterone plasma levels, but as far as I know it hasn't been proven in any descent study I know.

Studies on gyneacomastia can be found on www.pubmed.org, unfortunately in most cases you will only be able to see the short articles. Maybe when I'm on the PC in our university library I can access them for free and check if there really is proof for this.

BTW I never used or will use Cannabis, but I'm OK with people hat do so I'm from the Netherlands we're very liberal!

[freefromG]

THC is lipophilic and rapidly taken up by fatty tissue. Which results in a slow elimination of metabolites. No one needs to assume anything.

 As for the effect it has on hormones- Dose responses of THC or other chemicals of marijuana is pretty much unknown in the long term. and it may well be that no-effects occur at even high level use. But something that "lowers serum testosterone levels, impairs sperm production, motility, and viability, disrupts the ovulation cycle, and decreases output of gonadotropic hormones" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_cannabis) is an Endocrine Disruptor (like androgenic steriods) , Whether or not marijuana is capable of giving you gyne is another thing but its characteristics are there even if mild.

I have used this stuff plenty of times here and there and i believe it has huge potential for medicinal reasons and should surely be considered as an alternative to some of the expensive and equally if not worse prescribed drugs. I cant see myself using after gland removal anymore just in case.

[headheldhigh01]

man, after what gyne did to me, if hard drugs screwed with your hormones at all and i was an addict, i'd put myself in rehab so fast...  

[jimmy1234]

So I guess nothing has been found conclusively. My PS said that he believes that chronic use could lead to regrowth however occassionally you should be fine. I myself am not taking the chance.

[Paa_Paw]

It may be of interest that I've heard of some legitimate medical research on the effects and potential uses for various extracts of marijuana. The report was that the research is being done in Israel and is expected to produce some information of real value. The problem is that it will take time to get the results.

Because of the large number of variables associated with smoking the marijuana, the research is using standardized extracts rather than simply smoking. It is expected that there will be both good and bad news as a result of the studies with some of the extracts being of benefit and some being harmful.

Because of product variability, smoking will not prove very much in a clinical sense because the dosage is ultimately unknown.

It should be remembered that chewing digitalis leaves was once a treatment used for heart conditions. While an apropriate amount was beneficial, an overdose could be fatal. Marijuana should be given the same respect and care.

[KWS86]

As much as I understand what you're saying and agree with you (abusing ANYTHING can be harmful), I just wanted to point out that there is not ONE case in medical history of marijuana use proving to be fatal. Aside from the obvious risks that come with smoke inhalation, it's a pretty safe drug to use. I'd much rather "o.d." on pot than on most any prescription drug.

My PS told me that he personally doesn't believe there's a link between tokin' and gyne. The next PS might tell you the opposite, but there's no proof to go along with it.

A lot of people blaze... but not that many people have revision gyne surgery due to regrowth.

[Trycer6]

Man, I sure hope I don't have to stop smoking, that would really suck... I am getting surgery in 2 months and I stopped smoking about 2 weeks ago and its hard