密歇根新闻广播 医生对吸食大麻的忠告

 

Recreational marijuana is legal in Michigan. But physicians are warning that more research is needed to determine how, exactly, cannabis affects the brain and body.

Dr. Christopher Blazes, addiction¹ psychiatrist² and emergency medicine physician at the University of Michigan, says today’s pot is much stronger than the kind that was around during the 1960s and 1970s.

The percentage of the THC content — which is the most psychoactive component³ of cannabis — is so much different. Back then it was maybe three to five percent, and now, [with] the genetic⁴ engineering of the plants themselves, it's probably around 15 to 20 percent, Blazes said.

Stronger weed produces stronger psychological and physiological⁵ effects, which Blazes says can lead to a range of issues. He notes that users can experience a significant increase in heart rate after consuming cannabis, which can worsen symptoms for those who have underlying⁶ cardiac issues.

Blazes also says that cannabis can exacerbate⁷ psychotic disorders⁸ and even cause episodes of psychosis in those who don't have a history of mental illness.

Although more research is needed to figure out the various physiological and psychological effects of marijuana, Blazes explains that because cannabis is classified as a Schedule 1 drug at the federal level, it's incredibly complicated for medical studies involving the drug to get approved.

In the meantime, Blazes recommends that Michiganders pause for a moment before deciding to take advantage of recreational marijuana's new legal status.

We have certain governmental bodies that are saying — like a lot of the state governments — [that marijuana] is safe and effective for so many different things. But the data really isn't there to support that, Blazes said. So I think we need to take a pause and step back and say, Wait, I'm not going to use myself as a guinea pig and end up being one of those complications that happens.

This post was written by Stateside production assistant Isabella Isaacs-Thomas.

1 addiction   

n.上瘾入迷，嗜好

参考例句：

• He stole money from his parents to feed his addiction.他从父母那儿偷钱以满足自己的嗜好。
• Areas of drug dealing are hellholes of addiction,poverty and murder.贩卖毒品的地区往往是吸毒上瘾、贫困和发生谋杀的地方。

2 psychiatrist   

n.精神病专家；精神病医师

参考例句：

• He went to a psychiatrist about his compulsive gambling.他去看精神科医生治疗不能自拔的赌瘾。
• The psychiatrist corrected him gently.精神病医师彬彬有礼地纠正他。

3 component   

n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的

参考例句：

• Each component is carefully checked before assembly.每个零件在装配前都经过仔细检查。
• Blade and handle are the component parts of a knife.刀身和刀柄是一把刀的组成部分。

4 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

5 physiological   

adj.生理学的，生理学上的

参考例句：

• He bought a physiological book.他买了一本生理学方面的书。
• Every individual has a physiological requirement for each nutrient.每个人对每种营养成分都有一种生理上的需要。

6 underlying   

adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的

参考例句：

• The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
• This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。

7 exacerbate   

v.恶化，增剧，激怒，使加剧

参考例句：

• WMO says a warming climate can exacerbate air pollution.世界气象组织说，气候变暖可能会加剧空气污染。
• In fact efforts will merely exacerbate the current problem.实际上努力只会加剧当前的问题。

8 disorders   

n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调

参考例句：

• Reports of anorexia and other eating disorders are on the increase. 据报告，厌食症和其他饮食方面的功能紊乱发生率正在不断增长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The announcement led to violent civil disorders. 这项宣布引起剧烈的骚乱。 来自《简明英汉词典》