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This article is from the Hemp / Cannabis / Marijuana FAQ, by Brian S. Julin verdant@twain.ucs.umass.edu with numerous contributions by others.

23 If it doesn't kill brain cells, how does it get you `high'? (Marijuana)

Killing brain cells is not a pre-requisite for getting
`high.' Marijuana contains a chemical which substitutes for
a natural brain chemical, with a few differences. This
chemical touches special `buttons' on brain cells called
`receptors.' Essentially, marijuana `tickles' brain cells.
The legal drug alcohol also tickles brain cells, but it will
damage and kill them by producing toxins (poisons) and
sometimes mini-seizures. Also, some drugs will wear out the
buttons which they push, but marijuana does not.

``Structure of a Cannabinoid Receptor'' by L. A. Matsuda , S. J.
Lolait , M. J. Browstein, A. C. Young, T. I. Bonner in ``Nature'' Vol.
346 Iss. 6824 pp. 561-564. August, 1990.

(marijuana does not wear out it's receptors)

``Chronic Exposure to Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Fails to
Irreversibly Alter Brain Cannabinoid Receptors'' by Tracy M. Westlake,
Allyn C. Howlett, Syed F. Ali, Merle G. Paule, Andrew C. Scallet,
William Slikker Jr. in ``Brain Research'' Vol. 544 pp. 145-149. 1991.

 

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