"But what we do know is that regular cannabis use, particularly before the age of 17 or 18, increases the risk for the later development of psychotic illness. So you’re increasing your risk by twofold." - Assoc Prof Dan Lubman
 Assoc Prof Dan Lubman Associate Professor Dan Lubman is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Associate Professor at the ORYGEN Research Centre, University of Melbourne, where he heads a clinical research unit that investigates problematic substance use and co-occurring mental health issues in youth. He has partnered with a broad range of drug and alcohol services and research centres, both nationally and internationally.
He is a chief investigator on a number of large research projects investigating substance use amongst young people, including studies within primary care, drug treatment and mental health settings.
In 2004, he was invited to become a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Addiction Neuroscience Network Australia (ANNA), a national body promoting neurobiological research into addiction.
Assoc Prof Dan Lubman is Chair of the RANZCP Section for Addiction Psychiatry, which is responsible for overseeing drug and alcohol training and policy for the College. He is also a member of the Advisory Committee of the newly established National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre.
Dan has lectured widely on the neurobiology of addiction, as well issues related to dual diagnosis and substance use in youth. He has published over 70 peer-reviewed scientific papers and book chapters, mostly relating to substance use topics, such as comorbidity, drug use in young people or the neurobiology of addiction.
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 Prof Iain McGregor
Professor Iain S. McGregor is director of the Psychopharmacology laboratory at the University of Sydney and is also highly involved in teaching various pharmacology courses. He completed his undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford and gained his PhD in Psychology at the University of Sydney.
Iain has broad research interests in the areas of neuroscience and psychopharmacology. Current interests include (1) the neural, behavioural and cognitive effects of recreational drugs including MDMA ("Ecstasy"), cannabis and cocaine, (2) alcohol craving and alcohol abuse, (3) animal models of human psychopathologies including anxiety disorders and depression, and (4) olfactory neurobiology, olfactory learning and memory.
Other research has explored the effects of chronic cannabis exposure on brain protein expression, particularly in the hippocampus and if the adolescent brain is more vulnerable to adverse effects of cannabis.
Prof McGregor is a fellow of the International Behavioral Neuroscience Society, he is the recipient of countless awards included the NHMRC achievement award.
Iain is a much sought after speaker and has given numerous invited keynote addresses and presentations around the world. He also lectures extensively to psychology undergraduates and trainee clinical psychologists.
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Host: Jennifer Cook
Producers: Kelvin Param and Eric van Bemmel
Audio Engineer: Craig McArthur
Theme Music performed by Sergio Ercole. Mr Ercole is represented by the Musicians' Agency, Faculty of Music
Voiceover: Paul Richiardi
Series Creators: Eric van Bemmel and Kelvin Param
Special thanks to Orygen Youth Health for their assistance.
Melbourne University Up Close is brought to you by the Marketing and Communications Division in association with Asia Institute.
© The University of Melbourne, 2009. All Rights Reserved.
Adult Rats
I felt this was an overly negative look into the effects of cannabis. Whilst I understand it is scientific research the talk in general and the research itself seems geared towards finding damage. This bias suggests that it is either government funded research or a case of adult rats squealing in fear at something they don't enjoy. Western psychology seems only equipped to label any behavior that differs from socially constructed norms as deviant (in the pejorative sense). Maybe the rats who smoked pot in their youth are less sociable because they have more to think about and because the straight rats they have for company are superficial consumerist breeders who only want to talk about the property market. I think philosophers could come up with some more balanced/interesting conclusions from the data. A stimulating podcast nonetheless.
That's great podcast and
That's great podcast and that's what I supposed about cannabis too. I know many people who used cannabis when we all was 16-17. I think, that the use of this drug ruins your brain and total health of the body system. I am very glad I have never used any drugs while I had a lot of possibilities to do. People, just say no to the drugs and stay healthy.
Reintoxication
I found this podcst realy intresting and very informative in easy to understand language. I heard anecdotally of a US fighter pilot, who when doing a high speed manoeuvre,which placed incredible physical stress on the body, had an experience of a cannabis high even though the individual had not had any cannabis for sometime. Not sure of abstinence time frame though. Wonder if this might be an example of a re-intoxication effect.
Stewart
How does cannabis use affect your brain and memory?
The University of Melbourne is conducting a study examining how cannabis use affects your brain. There are two parts to the study: a memory testing session and brain scanning session. Each session takes approximately 2 hours and participants receive $50 in Coles-Myer vouchers for each session. Participants should be between 18-55 years old, NOT using other drugs or alcohol regularly, and with no diagnosed mental illness. Contact Michael on 0421 770 798 for more details.
Medical Cannabis
I listened to your information with great interest because I am a medical user. I am allergic to all prescription pain medication including aspirin, I suffer heavy pain because of Arthritis in my spine, neck, hips and most other joints.
I find when my pain is extreme the Cannabis has little to no effect on my brain in fact I find because of the decrease in the pain I can think more clearly and function much better.
I never used cannabis in my youth and only began using after my doctor tried for over a week of 3 daily injections or pethidine that were in fact giving me no relief from the pain and were also not allowing me to function on any level.
The first time I used it I found almost immediate relief at the time I was 42 years old, today at 58 I find I still get the relief without the high. I might add I have never experienced any of the effects of what people describe as a high and that could be for a couple of reasons, I only use ground organically grown, I use for pain and depression caused by pain and I am also asperger. I know that with asperger medications work differently on us and this could well be the reason I have never had a high.
I do not believe that teens should use any drug or even a natural herb such as Cannabis without at least having all the FACTS that does not mean the hype surrounding this plant or in fact any drug or herb on the market as there are a lot of lies and misleading information put out by groups who have their own agenda not necessarily for the good of man kind.
Keep up the good work.
Cannabis Use
Very interesting talk put up by Asc Prof Dan Lubman and Prof Iain McGregor with regard to long term use and lasting effects.
I have been a long term user since the age of 21, now at age 55 i have decided un pause the pause button on my life. I decided to go cold turkey and found it very difficult in withdrawing, it has been 3 months now and are finding it difficult to shake this depressed felling, so when I heard this article on podcast I realized that maybe I have damaged my brain, by using what I thought was just a pretty harmless herb and may be stuck with this depression for some time to come yet.
I have only used cannabis straight and with no other drugs for all my usage, thank you for the podcast, it has helped me understand a whole lot more about myself and why I feel like I do, you have been a help to me. Michael