   Can brain cells regenerate?
  Hi,Looking on google it is not clear to me whether brain cells can in fact regenerate and regrow or not (all the information is conflicting) and I cannot find any info on wikipedia. Which is it?   
  That's because no one knows anymore. A recent study found that marijuana can help regenerate braincells. Of course this goes against the party-line which states that marijuana is the seed of the devil which has become ever so popular since the Nixon era even though it's not based on scientific evidence. Hell, as far as I know Nixon actually ordered a study regarding marijuana, but ended up ignoring it, since it didn't provide the "right" results. *Having said that maybe the study showing marijuana regenerates braincells was flawed. Who knows.* I do not smoke marijuana, I just find its demonization fascinating.   ;  Whoa, what was just written blew my mind.I haven't smoked pot in awhile, but that indeed goes against everything I've been told and any marijuana joke ever told on tv or otherwise...   ;  I was under the impression that no Braincell regeneration or growth occurred after a specific age... hrm... this could be interesting... :P   ;Quote:Original post by fooman_69Whoa, what was just written blew my mind.I haven't smoked pot in awhile, but that indeed goes against everything I've been told and any marijuana joke ever told on tv or otherwise...Yeah, I usually ignore whatever people claim to have heard in scientific studies regarding marijuana.  Most of the time, someone (smoker or not) will make a claim (pro or con), say they heard there was a study proves this claim, but fail to be able to cite their source.  Then, a week later, I'll hear someone else (smoker or not) claim the opposite, say they heard there was a study proving this opposite claim, and, again, fail to be able to cite their source.My guesses:It does cause cancer (and not in the "everything causes cancer" sense, but in the "tabacco causes cancer" sense).It is addictive (At least psychologically, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's physically addictive as well).Overall, it's no better or worse than alcohol, except that I've gotten a buzz when some kids down the hall light up but not when they drink.Eventually, its benefits will be separated from the recreational uses (cf. wine reducing heart disease).As for the OP, growing up I was told it doesn't happen, but I think more recent studies say that it's just very slow compared to other cell types and confounded by other repair mechanisms (but I can't cite my sources [rolleyes][wink]).  This, being fairly recent, is still trickling into common knowledge and is debated.;  Physically addicting is untrue in my experience, unless it's very mild.  It's nothing compared to the addiction of nicotine or other drugs.Psychologically, indeed it can be.  However, those who are addicted tend to be those who are swayed easily (or 'bandwagon-jumpers') in my experience.Anyways, this is all straying off topic.   ;  since you like to take the piss: sources:  Nature, NewScientist, WorldHealth, ScienceDaily;Quote:Original post by fooman_69Physically addicting is untrue in my experience, unless it's very mild.  It's nothing compared to the addiction of nicotine or other drugs.In my experience, alcohol isn't nearly as physically addictive as nicotine.  I wouldn't be surprised if marijuana and alcohol are on similar levels of physical addictiveness.Quote:Psychologically, indeed it can be.  However, those who are addicted tend to be those who are swayed easily (or 'bandwagon-jumpers') in my experience.Again, not my experience.  I'd say most people I've known who do smoke it start as bandwagon-jumpers (similar with tobacco), but their psychological addiction doesn't have as much to do with that as it does with it being an escape (similar to alcohol).Quote:Anyways, this is all straying off topic.If anyone mentions marijuana, religion, or politics, it's going to happen.  My appologies if I'm just adding to the noise, but I don't mind tangents so long as the OP doesn't mind and they stay civil (however, discussions on marijuana, religion, and politics rarely stay civil [rolleyes]).;  [Warning! On topic post follows! Wear your eye protection or close your eyes before continuing!]Quote:Original post by GenjixHi,Looking on google it is not clear to me whether brain cells can in fact regenerate and regrow or not (all the information is conflicting) and I cannot find any info on wikipedia. Which is it?Wikipedia on neurogenesisNeurogenesis in the Human Brain:Fact or Fiction?google for neurogenesis for more articles.   ;  from what i've heard some braincells can regenerate but only the ones in the frontal lobe.   