News: How new NFL mental health policy helps Randy Gregory

glimmerman

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Likely won’t take effect till after the next CBA. Unless they go ahead and change it but I am not sure they will do it effective immediately.

But they maybe considering it because of all the players in the drug program. We don’t hear about it until they fail several tests and get suspended or fined. The random testing started in April so there maybe a huge influx of players failing for weed.
 

805BoysInBlue

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Vilifying marijuana has to do with Hoover and the end of prohibition. The FBI had no reason to continue as an agency after prohibition ended, so in order to continue basically having a purpose they chose to go after marijuana. Which from my understanding they had medical evaluations performed on. 9 of 10 doctors who observed patients said they saw no issue with it, well they ran with the one guy who said it "might" cause hallucinations. It also has to do with the logging industry, hemp has more purposes than we can even imagine including substituting wood in most instances. The pharma industry also has a lot to do with it. They'll make a pill that cost $60 a pill that mimics the effect of weed but not give you the real thing or derivative of it which cost under $5 to produce. I think its time to change the way this world looks at things and this would be a good start.
 

gimmesix

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NFL teams have capable medical people who could be appointed to deal with prescribing marijuana if it's needed for legitimate medicinal reasons. It could also effectively be done under the strict supervision of the team's medical people who prescribe them and not to be overdone. Let's also be aware that opioids can also be abused and be considerably more harmfully overdone as well.

Opioids are abused every day. A lot of them by people they are prescribed to or who get ahold of the opioids prescribed to others.

All drugs used for medicine have the same problem. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be used for medicine; that's the true purpose of their existence. But it also means that just because there may be "legitimate medicinal reasons" doesn't mean that every player or person using them is not abusing them.

Frankly, I think David Irving is a drug abuser and Randy Gregory probably is too. They like getting high and the feeling that it gives them. Does either have legitimate medical reasons for using marijuana? Maybe, but I don't believe that is the primary reason that they use it. I acknowledge that I could be wrong, but I think the evidence points to this.
 

xwalker

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Irving was just a idiot. He worked to get to that level and couldn’t stay clean.

If the rules change I bet Irving suddenly likes football and misses it.

It's unfortunate that the weed issue causes Gregory to get lumped in with bad character players like Irving.

From everything I've seen, Gregory is a reasonably high-character player other than the weed issue.

Irving was kicked off the team in college for an incident where he was arrested (not drug related).

Irving was accused of domestic violence both in college and while with the Cowboys.

Marinelli said Gregory reported last year in amazing physical condition after the long layoff.

Irving showed completely out of shape last year for OTAs.
 

xwalker

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The medical community has already accepted marijuana as an acceptable medication tool - and most states have, too. It's high time the NFL came around.

I know a guy that has the worst ADHD of any adult that I've ever seen.

His friends say that when he smokes weed he has an amazing transformation and is almost like a normal person.

The guy is a plumber and did work for me on some houses that I remodeled.

He has a sort of Rain-man type of process that he goes though to function (constantly repeating things out load).

He is great at doing the job but he can't take the test to get a Master's license because of the ADHD.

Without the Master's license he can't pull permits and is always has to work under a Master plumber.

He says he took ADHD meds for a long time as a kid but that it caused some type of healthy problems.
 

gimmesix

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See you are still on the reefer madness BS. Marijuana is nothing like man made drugs such as meth/coke/heroin. You can not overdose on it. There is no physical addiction to it. You don't beat your wife after smoking it like many do while drinking alcohol. The medical benefits from it are astounding. You don't have to be actually sick to benefit from it. Big deal if people want to get high from it. THC is only 1 of many cannibiniods that all have many benefits with little to no negative side effects.

Google endocannabinoid system.

And some people would choose to ignore that drugs, including alcohol, are harmful if not used properly. I'm all for using drugs as medicine, but I'm totally against the abuse of drugs.

How does marijuana affect the brain?
Marijuana has both short-and long-term effects on the brain.

THC acts on numerous areas in the brain (in yellow).
Image by NIDA
Short-Term Effects
When a person smokes marijuana, THC quickly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream. The blood carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. The body absorbs THC more slowly when the person eats or drinks it. In that case, they generally feel the effects after 30 minutes to 1 hour.

THC acts on specific brain cell receptors that ordinarily react to natural THC-like chemicals. These natural chemicals play a role in normal brain development and function.

Marijuana overactivates parts of the brain that contain the highest number of these receptors. This causes the "high" that people feel. Other effects include:

  • altered senses (for example, seeing brighter colors)
  • altered sense of time
  • changes in mood
  • impaired body movement
  • difficulty with thinking and problem-solving
  • impaired memory
  • hallucinations (when taken in high doses)
  • delusions (when taken in high doses)
  • psychosis (when taken in high doses)


Long-Term Effects
Marijuana also affects brain development. When people begin using marijuana as teenagers, the drug may impair thinking, memory, and learning functions and affect how the brain builds connections between the areas necessary for these functions. Researchers are still studying how long marijuana's effects last and whether some changes may be permanent.

For example, a study from New Zealand conducted in part by researchers at Duke University showed that people who started smoking marijuana heavily in their teens and had an ongoing marijuana use disorder lost an average of 8 IQ points between ages 13 and 38. The lost mental abilities didn't fully return in those who quit marijuana as adults. Those who started smoking marijuana as adults didn't show notable IQ declines.5

In another recent study on twins, those who used marijuana showed a significant decline in general knowledge and in verbal ability (equivalent to 4 IQ points) between the preteen years and early adulthood, but no predictable difference was found between twins when one used marijuana and the other didn't. This suggests that the IQ decline in marijuana users may be caused by something other than marijuana, such as shared familial factors (e.g., genetics, family environment).6 NIDA’s Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, a major longitudinal study, is tracking a large sample of young Americans from late childhood to early adulthood to help clarify how and to what extent marijuana and other substances, alone and in combination, affect adolescent brain development. Read more about the ABCD study on our Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD Study)webpage.

A Rise in Marijuana’s THC Levels
The amount of THC in marijuana has been increasing steadily over the past few decades.7 For a person who's new to marijuana use, this may mean exposure to higher THC levels with a greater chance of a harmful reaction. Higher THC levels may explain the rise in emergency room visits involving marijuana use.

The popularity of edibles also increases the chance of harmful reactions. Edibles take longer to digest and produce a high. Therefore, people may consume more to feel the effects faster, leading to dangerous results.

Higher THC levels may also mean a greater risk for addiction if people are regularly exposing themselves to high doses.

What are the other health effects of marijuana?
Marijuana use may have a wide range of effects, both physical and mental.

Physical Effects
  • Breathing problems. Marijuana smoke irritates the lungs, and people who smoke marijuana frequently can have the same breathing problems as those who smoke tobacco. These problems include daily cough and phlegm, more frequent lung illness, and a higher risk of lung infections. Researchers so far haven't found a higher risk for lung cancer in people who smoke marijuana.8
  • Increased heart rate. Marijuana raises heart rate for up to 3 hours after smoking. This effect may increase the chance of heart attack. Older people and those with heart problems may be at higher risk.
  • Problems with child development during and after pregnancy. One study found that about 20% of pregnant women 24-years-old and younger screened positive for marijuana. However, this study also found that women were about twice as likely to screen positive for marijuana use via a drug test than they state in self-reported measures.9 This suggests that self-reported rates of marijuana use in pregnant females is not an accurate measure of marijuana use and may be underreporting their use. Additionally, in one study of dispensaries, nonmedical personnel at marijuana dispensaries were recommending marijuana to pregnant women for nausea, but medical experts warn against it. This concerns medical experts because marijuana use during pregnancy is linked to lower birth weight10 and increased risk of both brain and behavioral problems in babies. If a pregnant woman uses marijuana, the drug may affect certain developing parts of the fetus's brain. Children exposed to marijuana in the womb have an increased risk of problems with attention,11memory, and problem-solving compared to unexposed children.12 Some research also suggests that moderate amounts of THC are excreted into the breast milk of nursing mothers.13 With regular use, THC can reach amounts in breast milk that could affect the baby's developing brain. More research is needed. Read our Marijuana Research Report for more information about marijuana and pregnancy.
  • Intense Nausea and Vomiting. Regular, long-term marijuana use can lead to some people to develop Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome. This causes users to experience regular cycles of severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration, sometimes requiring emergency medical attention.14
malerestinghead.jpg
Photo by ©iStock/Adrian Hillman
Mental Effects
Long-term marijuana use has been linked to mental illness in some people, such as:

  • temporary hallucinations
  • temporary paranoia
  • worsening symptoms in patients with schizophrenia—a severe mental disorder with symptoms such as hallucinations, paranoia, and disorganized thinking
Marijuana use has also been linked to other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among teens. However, study findings have been mixed.
 

glimmerman

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It's unfortunate that the weed issue causes Gregory to get lumped in with bad character players like Irving.

From everything I've seen, Gregory is a reasonably high-character player other than the weed issue.

Irving was kicked off the team in college for an incident where he was arrested (not drug related).

Irving was accused of domestic violence both in college and while with the Cowboys.

Marinelli said Gregory reported last year in amazing physical condition after the long layoff.

Irving showed completely out of shape last year for OTAs.
Irving don’t care and never has. Wasted talent.

I thought it was weird that after Gregory missed a drug test (same as failing) and was suspended indefinitely for the second time that JJ still thought he would be on the field again this year. Maybe goodell will give him another chance since it was a missed test. I know that they can test you several times a month if they want. It would start to anger me after a while when you know you have gotten clean and they call you a few times a week. He put himself in the position though.
 

Montanalo

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Are you joking

You have one test a year and if you pass you can smoke til you choke

You have to stop for a month in March or July when there is very little pain

If you do manage to fail this open book test then you have to stay clean for 90 days to go back to zero

If not then you have to fail 3 more times to miss 4 games.......the horror

Less than 1% of the NFL playes are caught by this policy
I have no info to confirm or refute the 1% capture rate but, if true, then those caught truly have a substance abuse problem or they are missing a few tools from their garage.

:)
 

Bullflop

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Opioids are abused every day. A lot of them by people they are prescribed to or who get ahold of the opioids prescribed to others.

All drugs used for medicine have the same problem. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be used for medicine; that's the true purpose of their existence. But it also means that just because there may be "legitimate medicinal reasons" doesn't mean that every player or person using them is not abusing them.

Frankly, I think David Irving is a drug abuser and Randy Gregory probably is too. They like getting high and the feeling that it gives them. Does either have legitimate medical reasons for using marijuana? Maybe, but I don't believe that is the primary reason that they use it. I acknowledge that I could be wrong, but I think the evidence points to this.

Much of the present controversy centers around a question as to whether or not the current use of opioids is preferable to cannabis or not. I'm not necessarily confident that the use of opioids is preferable to cannabis and I'm fairly certain it will be the topic of many discussions in the months and possibly even years that lie ahead for the NFL, its players and their union.

It's been said that Randy is plagued by a "social anxiety disorder" which is something that's not altogether unknown by many in this country and elsewhere. It's possible that it's been diagnosed in the many treatments that he's had in the past but not being an expert on such things, I wouldn't attempt to elaborate on something that I've only heard of and not really knowledgeable about.

I suspect Irving to be more into it for the "high" than anything else, although addiction is said to be more commonplace in those with emotional distress. Since he's "retired," it's not the NFL's problem any longer, though.

I really just hope that something can be decided upon that would be more beneficial to the players than what is currently in place. Whether it's destined to come to fruition or not will be interesting, I'm sure, to most of us. Here's hoping it eventually gets worked out to the greatest benefit of the players and their teams as well. I think we can all agree that it would please most of us if a reasonably better solution is found.
 
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Szczepanik

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And some people would choose to ignore that drugs, including alcohol, are harmful if not used properly. I'm all for using drugs as medicine, but I'm totally against the abuse of drugs.

How does marijuana affect the brain?
Marijuana has both short-and long-term effects on the brain.

THC acts on numerous areas in the brain (in yellow).
Image by NIDA
Short-Term Effects
When a person smokes marijuana, THC quickly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream. The blood carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. The body absorbs THC more slowly when the person eats or drinks it. In that case, they generally feel the effects after 30 minutes to 1 hour.

THC acts on specific brain cell receptors that ordinarily react to natural THC-like chemicals. These natural chemicals play a role in normal brain development and function.

Marijuana overactivates parts of the brain that contain the highest number of these receptors. This causes the "high" that people feel. Other effects include:

  • altered senses (for example, seeing brighter colors)
  • altered sense of time
  • changes in mood
  • impaired body movement
  • difficulty with thinking and problem-solving
  • impaired memory
  • hallucinations (when taken in high doses)
  • delusions (when taken in high doses)
  • psychosis (when taken in high doses)


Long-Term Effects
Marijuana also affects brain development. When people begin using marijuana as teenagers, the drug may impair thinking, memory, and learning functions and affect how the brain builds connections between the areas necessary for these functions. Researchers are still studying how long marijuana's effects last and whether some changes may be permanent.

For example, a study from New Zealand conducted in part by researchers at Duke University showed that people who started smoking marijuana heavily in their teens and had an ongoing marijuana use disorder lost an average of 8 IQ points between ages 13 and 38. The lost mental abilities didn't fully return in those who quit marijuana as adults. Those who started smoking marijuana as adults didn't show notable IQ declines.5

In another recent study on twins, those who used marijuana showed a significant decline in general knowledge and in verbal ability (equivalent to 4 IQ points) between the preteen years and early adulthood, but no predictable difference was found between twins when one used marijuana and the other didn't. This suggests that the IQ decline in marijuana users may be caused by something other than marijuana, such as shared familial factors (e.g., genetics, family environment).6 NIDA’s Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, a major longitudinal study, is tracking a large sample of young Americans from late childhood to early adulthood to help clarify how and to what extent marijuana and other substances, alone and in combination, affect adolescent brain development. Read more about the ABCD study on our Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD Study)webpage.

A Rise in Marijuana’s THC Levels
The amount of THC in marijuana has been increasing steadily over the past few decades.7 For a person who's new to marijuana use, this may mean exposure to higher THC levels with a greater chance of a harmful reaction. Higher THC levels may explain the rise in emergency room visits involving marijuana use.

The popularity of edibles also increases the chance of harmful reactions. Edibles take longer to digest and produce a high. Therefore, people may consume more to feel the effects faster, leading to dangerous results.

Higher THC levels may also mean a greater risk for addiction if people are regularly exposing themselves to high doses.

What are the other health effects of marijuana?
Marijuana use may have a wide range of effects, both physical and mental.

Physical Effects
  • Breathing problems. Marijuana smoke irritates the lungs, and people who smoke marijuana frequently can have the same breathing problems as those who smoke tobacco. These problems include daily cough and phlegm, more frequent lung illness, and a higher risk of lung infections. Researchers so far haven't found a higher risk for lung cancer in people who smoke marijuana.8
  • Increased heart rate. Marijuana raises heart rate for up to 3 hours after smoking. This effect may increase the chance of heart attack. Older people and those with heart problems may be at higher risk.
  • Problems with child development during and after pregnancy. One study found that about 20% of pregnant women 24-years-old and younger screened positive for marijuana. However, this study also found that women were about twice as likely to screen positive for marijuana use via a drug test than they state in self-reported measures.9 This suggests that self-reported rates of marijuana use in pregnant females is not an accurate measure of marijuana use and may be underreporting their use. Additionally, in one study of dispensaries, nonmedical personnel at marijuana dispensaries were recommending marijuana to pregnant women for nausea, but medical experts warn against it. This concerns medical experts because marijuana use during pregnancy is linked to lower birth weight10 and increased risk of both brain and behavioral problems in babies. If a pregnant woman uses marijuana, the drug may affect certain developing parts of the fetus's brain. Children exposed to marijuana in the womb have an increased risk of problems with attention,11memory, and problem-solving compared to unexposed children.12 Some research also suggests that moderate amounts of THC are excreted into the breast milk of nursing mothers.13 With regular use, THC can reach amounts in breast milk that could affect the baby's developing brain. More research is needed. Read our Marijuana Research Report for more information about marijuana and pregnancy.
  • Intense Nausea and Vomiting. Regular, long-term marijuana use can lead to some people to develop Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome. This causes users to experience regular cycles of severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration, sometimes requiring emergency medical attention.14
malerestinghead.jpg
Photo by ©iStock/Adrian Hillman
Mental Effects
Long-term marijuana use has been linked to mental illness in some people, such as:

  • temporary hallucinations
  • temporary paranoia
  • worsening symptoms in patients with schizophrenia—a severe mental disorder with symptoms such as hallucinations, paranoia, and disorganized thinking
Marijuana use has also been linked to other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among teens. However, study findings have been mixed.

Wonderful job pulling up biased information without context for your own personal agenda. I have extensive knowledge in both THC and CBD as a Doctor. Please do not post information without further research yourself.

First off, your article only mentioned THC, the pyshcoactive component of MMJ. You also failed to list the dosing of THC. You do realize you can achieve all of the same side effects you listed with other CNS and PNS stimulants or depressants? You also failed to recognize the endocannabinoid system and CBD role in sleep/pain improvement.

Feel free to list the side effects of currently prescribed opioids that are commonly used. Which often include respiratory distress and cognition changes, I'll be waiting.
 

gimmesix

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Wonderful job pulling up biased information without context for your own personal agenda. I have extensive knowledge in both THC and CBD as a Doctor. Please do not post information without further research yourself.

First off, your article only mentioned THC, the pyshcoactive component of MMJ. You also failed to list the dosing of THC. You do realize you can achieve all of the same side effects you listed with other CNS and PNS stimulants or depressants? You also failed to recognize the endocannabinoid system and CBD role in sleep/pain improvement.

Feel free to list the side effects of currently prescribed opioids that are commonly used. Which often include respiratory distress and cognition changes, I'll be waiting.

I don't get where pointing out the negative effects of marijuana is an endorsement of opioids. Again, each has their use.

If you are saying that there are no side effects of marijuana, that it has not been bred to have more THC because people want those effects, then I don't care if you are a doctor, you're certainly not one I would trust. The argument against the negative effects of marijuana are disingenuous. There's too much evidence, including the eyeball test, to ignore.

CBD is a different thing entirely than THC and it is what those with medicinal needs actually need from my understanding of it. But what they want is THC, which is why marijuana is being bred the way that it is and is why smoking it for "medicinal reasons" was passed in my state instead of what should have been passed.

People who want to ignore one side or the other of using a drug should be seen as having an agenda. There are two sides of the research for a reason, and most admit that not enough research has been done to understand the full effects either way.

I'm going to stop here on this "debate," though, because I know that it is fruitless and not the point of a Cowboys forum. It just irks me that many who support marijuana use refuse to acknowledge its misuse, especially when it is so easy to see. Use it the right way and marijuana can be an aid. The wrong way and it can destroy lives, just like alcohol (a legal drug) has.
 
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gimmesix

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Much of the present controversy centers around a question as to whether or not the current use of opioids is preferable to cannabis or not. I'm not necessarily confident that the use of opioids is preferable to cannabis and I'm fairly certain it will be the topic of many discussions in the months and possibly even years that lie ahead for the NFL, its players and their union.

It's been said that Randy is plagued by a "social anxiety disorder" which is something that's not altogether unknown by many in this country and elsewhere. It's possible that it's been diagnosed in the many treatments that he's had in the past but not being an expert on such things, I wouldn't attempt to elaborate on something that I've only heard of and not really knowledgeable about.

I suspect Irving to be more into it for the "high" than anything else, although addiction is said to be more commonplace in those with emotional distress. Since he's "retired," it's not the NFL's problem any longer, though.

I really just hope that something can be decided upon that would be more beneficial to the players than what is currently in place. Whether it's destined to come to fruition or not will be interesting, I'm sure, to most of us. Here's hoping it eventually gets worked out to the greatest benefit of the players and their teams as well. I think we can all agree that it would please most of us if a reasonably better solution is found.

More study needs to be done. I think both opioids and marijuana have their place, but we've overprescribed opioids and we'll likely do the same with marijuana. We need to take great care with both to make sure we're not doing more harm than good.

I said my previous post was my last one on the subject, so instead I'll end with this.
 

BigCatMonaco

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since were into the negatives, how about overdose deaths?


Tylenol kills thousands more per year.
 
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