[DaBulls]

ok, i'm sure we all know people who smoke pot... i have a specific friend in mind, who frequently lifts and does cardio, but he also smokes pot on occasion and yesterday we were discussing what effects that may have on bodybuilding.

does anyone have any information on the possible effects THC may have on building muscle? does it raise estrogen/suppress testosterone? or really have no effect?

[greenwing7]

search... the majority if not all new studies on marijuana research show that there is no correlation between marijuana and testosterone levels. However I think it could really help out during a bulk... also look at Marinol, its the prescription version of pot in pill form pretty much

[ticktwo]

THC lowers testosterone

[DaBulls]

Originally Posted by greenwing7

search... the majority if not all new studies on marijuana research show that there is no correlation between marijuana and testosterone levels. However I think it could really help out during a bulk... also look at Marinol, its the prescription version of pot in pill form pretty much

ya, thanks. good call. i shoulda searched before asking the Q but anyway when i did, i found some studies that say it INCREASED testostere... that's rather interesting... i did find that prolonged use over time can cause diminished production however...

[b unit]

STUDY LINKS USE OF MARIJUANA TO A FLUCTUATION IN SEX DRIVE

By JOEL GREENBERG, SPECIAL TO THE NEW YORK TIMES
Published: July 25, 1981

in excessive amounts yes however in very small amounts it raises them, a small hit of THC

Pharmacological researchers may have resolved the contradiction between scientific findings that marijuana decreases sexual drive and reports from users who maintain the drug works as an aphrodisiac.

In the journal Science three researchers from the University of Texas suggest that tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, marijuana's active ingredient, may affect male sexual activity in two phases. In animal tests, they found, it first raises the level of testosterone and other sex hormones but later may lower hormone levels to far below normal.

Previous laboratory studies failed to detect the initial rise in hormone levels because scientists usually do not begin measuring those levels until at least one hour after the drug is administered, said Susan Dalterio, assistant professor of pharmacology, obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Texas Health Center in San Antonio.

''One thing that bothered those of us who do animal work was that every time we gave THC to mice, they would show a decrease in sexual behavior,'' Dr. Dalterio said in a telephone interview. ''But then human beings who smoke marijuana would tell us, 'Hey, you're crazy! It increases our sex drive.' '' Hormone Levels Measured

In their current study, the researchers measured levels of blood testosterone and luteinizing hormone, or LH, which stimulates testosterone production, within the first hour after feeding liquid THC to mice.

They found that the testosterone level in all the mice jumped almost immediately to about six times its normal amount. Moreover, mice receiving low doses of the drug maintained the high testosterone levels for the entire hour; those receiving much higher doses showed drastic drops in testosterone after 20 minutes to levels considerably below those of mice in the control group.

In a person smoking marijuana, the THC enters the bloodstream very rapidly, Dr. Dalterio said. The drug's almost instant effect on the testes, as shown in the study, would seem to account for the dramatic reports of sexual arousal during and after smoking, she said.

The results also seem to explain previous reports of depleted testosterone levels among heavy marijuana users, according to Dr. Dalterio. In the study doses of THC that were 10 to 100 times higher than the low doses caused a simultaneous rise in luteinizing hormone, which is manufactured in the pituitary gland at the brain's base. Normal Controls Disrupted

In normal sexual stimulation, Dr. Dalterio explained, it takes about 20 minutes for LH to be produced, then travel from the pituitary to the testes, where it helps produce testosterone; in about the same amount of time the testosterone then enters the bloodstream and makes the trip back to the pituitary. This feedback system automatically shuts down when the brain senses an adequate level of sex hormone has been reached.

Heavy doses of THC disrupt the normal flow in this hormonal loop by triggering LH and testosterone production at the same time, she said. This appears to cause a shutdown that sends hormonal levels plummeting 20 minutes after the drug is administered. No such testosterone drop was seen among mice that received low doses.


STUDY LINKS USE OF MARIJUANA TO A FLUCTUATION IN SEX DRIVE - New York Times

[b unit]

just like anything, excessive amounts is harmful

smoking a little "reefer" from time to time is ok health wise but legally depending on where you live is another story

i'll leave u with arnold's take on it

[greenwing7]

In my opinion, I personally would smoke a joint over a 12 pack any day if I had to choose the lesser of the two evils, legality may be an issue however

[mfbb]

maybe he is the exception...but my old training partner is a pretty serious with mari-j and he is an animal...keeps his diet clean and uses moderate doses of gear but he's only 22 and 6'1 230 something and prob 9-10% bf

and when i was heavy on the pot and bulking i had no problems

[Mike Combs]

guys i've smoked mary jane for ever and it never hurt my bodybuilding career

[Mike Combs]

just rolled and smoked a fat one tonight guys after a great leg workout at my local gym

ate plenty of good food and i'm now considering a visit to my local cat house for some good old fashioned loving, gets tough being by yourself sometimes

least the girls where i go think i've still got it and i'm old enough to be their grandfather, lol

they call me sexy legs and really show me a good time, i'm even considering using that aspire i've been reading so much about to help me a little more to get my money's worth

i love my herbs and sex

[RenegadeRows]

pros:
mind muscle connection
increased hunger
relaxation

cons:
increased estrogen
killing brain cells
paranoia / anxiety / stress

You be the judge

[pist]

I do not believe that THC is neurotoxic, there is even a substantial amount of evidence coming out that it is neuroprotective...

[RenegadeRows]

Originally Posted by pist

I do not believe that THC is neurotoxic, there is even a substantial amount of evidence coming out that it is neuroprotective...

i have a bridge in denverport ill sell to you for cheap ... pm me

[CaponeCEO]

I have a serious consideration about any type of smoking and the effects it has on your lungs. Basically any type of smoking over time hinders the exchange of oxygen in the capilaries in the lung fields....to some degree. I firmly believe that oxygen in the muscles would be directly effected by this, and oxygen is what the muscles crave. Without proper oxygenation the muscle will not have the vital needs to grow.

[Mike Combs]

Originally Posted by CaponeCEO

I have a serious consideration about any type of smoking and the effects it has on your lungs. Basically any type of smoking over time hinders the exchange of oxygen in the capilaries in the lung fields....to some degree. I firmly believe that oxygen in the muscles would be directly effected by this, and oxygen is what the muslcles crave. Without proper oxygenation the muslce will not have the vital needs to grow.

heard of a vapouriser, i been using one for years, no smoke, it's the secret to my on going success in my bodybuilding career & continued good times

you young guys need to remember that, i didn't get where i am today by living stift and rigid

[RenegadeRows]

lol