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Author Topic: Marijuana use sinful for Catholics?  (Read 52829 times)

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Offline Mark 79

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Re: Marijuana use sinful for Catholics?
« Reply #510 on: March 05, 2025, 11:38:30 AM »
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    • The endocannabinoid system—whazzat?

    Your body makes, uses, and needs marijuana-like chemicals called “endocannabinoids.” Your physical and mental health require these endocannabinoids. Members of the Animal Kingdom, from sponges to men, have nerve and other organ receptors that respond to endocannabinoids. A basic understanding of the nervous system illustrates how these endocannabinoids work.

    The basics

    The nervous system works using the movement of chemicals and electricity. In its most simplified fashion, electrochemical activity usually proceeds along the “wires” (axons) of nerve cells (“neurons”) to the tip where special chemicals (“neurotransmitters”) are released into a space between neighboring neurons. The space is called a “synapse”. The neurotransmitter is released from a “presynaptic” neuron, and then diffuses across the synapse to bind to receptors in the neighboring “postsynaptic” neuron.

    Neurotransmitters fit specific receptors to activate (or block) those receptors, sort of like a key in a lock. Our own bodies make endocannabinoids that fit our endocannabinoid receptors. Marijuana works because many of marijuana’s chemicals are like “keys” that fit and activate our different endocannabinoid “locks.” Marijuana’s chemicals are “phytocannabinoids,” plant cannabinoids.



    Endocannabinoids are unique in a few respects. Most neurotransmitters are synthesized in advance by the presynaptic neurons to be stored in tiny packets (“vesicles”) in the cells to be available when needed. Endocannabinoids are not synthesized in advance and stored, but are synthesized on demand for immediate release. Also, it is not the presynaptic neurons but the postsynaptic neurons that synthesize the endocannabinoids. This means that the endocannabinoids are released into the synapse and then diffuse backwards to affect the presynaptic neuron. In a sense, the chemicals go against the flow of “electricity” to modulate the flow of “electricity,” hence endocannabinoids are sometimes classed as “neuromodulators.” Similar chemical interactions also occur in the organs outside of the nervous system.
    The chemicals

    Endocannabinoids are fats (“lipids”), so are able to diffuse quickly through lipid-laden tissues and membranes. In 1992 Anandamide, also known as N-arachidonylethanolamine or “AEA”, was the first endocannabinoid identified and was named from the Sanskrit word “ananda” (“bliss”) joined with “amide,” the name of its general chemical class. So far, other identified endocannabinoids include 2-arachidonylyglycerol (“2-AG”), 2-arachidonyl glyceryl ether (noladin ether), O-arachidonyl ethanolamine (“OAE” or virodhamine), and N-arachidonyl dopamine (NADA). While “your” government tells you there is no medical use for marijuana, Big Pharma has been developing proprietary variations of endocannabinoids and marijuana’s chemicals to sell you.

    The receptor subtypes

    In man the endocannabinoids bind to endocannabinoid receptors of different subtypes distributed throughout our many organ systems. The best characterized of these receptor subtypes are the CB1 and CB2 receptors, however there are likely at least three additional subtypes that are temporarily and not very cleverly named “non-CB1/non-CB2” receptors.

    CB1 receptors

    CB1 receptors are most widely found in the brain, but are not found in the brainstem, the medulla, where our important respiratory and heart control centers are located. It is thought that the absence of cannabinoids receptors in the brainstem accounts for the enormous safety of marijuana. Cannabinoids, unlike opiates, cannot depress the brainstem’s control centers of respiratory and heart function. CB1 receptors are not limited to the brain, but are also widely distributed in the pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, liver, lung, kidney, gut, pain receptors, and even our reproductive systems. Endocannabinoids are suspected to play a role in regulating the implantation of newly conceived babies. There appears to be an optimum level of endocannabinoids for fertility. If levels are too high or too low the baby will not implant properly or grow in the mother’s womb.

    A strain of laboratory mice without CB1 receptors, known as “CB1 knockout mice,” suffer from severe memory problems and die early from stroke and heart attack. These observations in mice correlate with research in humans showing the importance of cannabinoids in modulating memory, cardiovascular function, and nerve-protecting effects.

    It is well known that cannabis affects appetite, gives you “the munchies,” and also makes you happy. Research aimed at the role of cannabis in appetite led to the development of very potent appetite suppressants. A drug that blocks CB1 receptors, Rimonabant, was a very effective and widely prescribed appetite suppressant in Europe. Despite its effectiveness in dieting, Rimonabant was pulled from the market. Why? Big Pharma’s drug so completely blocked patients’ natural endocannabinoids that patients were deprived of not only their craving for food, but also deprived of their mental health. Because Rimonabant blocked the mood stabilizing effects of natural endocannabinoids, Rimonabant users were committing ѕυιcιdє in significant numbers.

    What do we learn from these observations? Endocannabinoids maintain our physical health and mental stability. Yes, Divine Providence at work—happy minds and healthy bodies require marijuana-like chemicals!


    Quote from: Mark 79 on March 05, 2025, 11:36:43 AM
    The depletion of endocannabinoids resulted in extremely high rates of ѕυιcιdє.

    A rational person would see ѕυιcιdє as the epitome of unhealthy mind and body.


    CB2 receptors

    CB2 receptors are also widely distributed, most notably throughout the immune system (T-cells, B-cells, macrophages, monocytes, etc.) and hematopoietic (blood-making) system of the spleen, liver, tonsils, thymus, and bone marrow. CB2 receptors are found in the brain, but unlike CB1 receptors that are mostly observed on neurons, the nerve cells, CB2 receptors are found primarily on microglia, the support and immune cells of the brain and spinal cord. CB2 receptors are also prevalent in the gastrointestinal tract and bone. Stimulation of CB2 receptors by endocannabinoids and by marijuana’s phytocannabinoids, especially cannabidiol (“CBD”), appears to down-regulate both the immune system and pain receptors. Endocannabinoids also help to maintain bone mass, preventing osteoporosis.

    It is likely that such down-regulated CB2 receptor activity in pain receptors, the immune system, and the gut explains the observed effectiveness of marijuana in reducing inflammation and pain, especially in inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis, and in neuropathic pain, pain due to disorders of pain receptors. Effects on microglial cells may explain not just the palliative (symptom reduction) effects of marijuana, but also the curative effects observed by some researchers in Alzheimer’s Disease, multiple sclerosis, and a particularly aggressive type of brain cancer, glioblastoma multiforme. Researchers have observed that cannabinoids reduce the hallmark amyloid deposition and neurofibrillatory tangles of Alzheimer’s Disease, the demyelination of multiple sclerosis, and numerous types of cancers.

    Future developments

    As the term “non-CB1/non-CB2 receptors” implies, there are a variety of other receptors that remain to be characterized and their roles elucidated. And so there are…
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    Offline Mark 79

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    Re: Marijuana use sinful for Catholics?
    « Reply #511 on: March 05, 2025, 11:45:45 AM »
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    • Quote from: Meg on Today at 11:24:12 AM
    Quote
    You are the one who said that a healthy mind and body can only be gained from marijuana-like substances. That is an idol that replaces God.

    You are descending deeper, so deep that you now have only lies and distortion at your disposal.

    I have simply stated that our own natural endocannabinoids must be in balance for a healthy mind and body.

    No matter how bitter your animus against me, that fact is not an "idol that replaces God." The fact is actually a recognition of how God created us.

    Your bitter rejection of Divine Providence for having given our bodies the endocannabinoid system stinks of Manichaeism.

    If you don't like how God created us, take it up with HIm.
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    Online Gray2023

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    Re: Marijuana use sinful for Catholics?
    « Reply #512 on: March 05, 2025, 11:49:26 AM »
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    • Quote from: Mark 79 on March 05, 2025, 11:36:43 AM
    The depletion of endocannabinoids resulted in extremely high rates of ѕυιcιdє.

    A rational person would see ѕυιcιdє as the epitome of unhealthy mind and body.
    Why is there a depletion of endocannabinoids?  Besides cannabis, where else would you get such things.  Sorry if you already answered this.
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    Offline Mithrandylan

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    Re: Marijuana use sinful for Catholics?
    « Reply #513 on: March 05, 2025, 11:49:46 AM »
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    • I'm not in a position to lecture about biology or anything, but some users here could really benefit from just a really basic understanding of some basic biological concepts.

    Mark really clearly explained how our body produces endocannabinoids (i.e., cannabinoids that our own body, by design, without any outside influence, makes by itself) to regulate physical and emotional pain sensors.  Soubirous had a good post about this earlier. That prefix "endo" refers to something already happening within our bodies, that our bodies are designed to produce and regulate. In this sense at the very least it is simply true that cannabinoids are indeed required for proper maintenance of bodily and emotional health.  

    As with any other endogenously produced chemical, it can be lawful and in some cases even required to exogenously (i.e., from outside the body) supplement for proper bodily/emotional function.  Marijuana is the primary example of an exogenous form of cannabinoids.  Using marijuana in a proper amount therefore promotes the required cannabinoidal functioning within the human body.

    TLDR: it's required in the same way that vitamin supplements are required.  Vitamins are indeed required for properly bodily function, even though not everyone needs to supplement them.



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    Offline Mark 79

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    Re: Marijuana use sinful for Catholics?
    « Reply #514 on: March 05, 2025, 11:52:56 AM »
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    • Quote from: Gray2023 on March 05, 2025, 11:49:26 AM
    Why is there a depletion of endocannabinoids?  Besides cannabis, where else would you get such things.  Sorry if you already answered this.

    See the relevant excerpt above: https://www.cathinfo.com/fighting-errors-in-the-modern-world/marijuana-use-sinful-for-catholics/msg975397/#msg975397

    Quote
    …A drug that blocks CB1 receptors, Rimonabant, was a very effective and widely prescribed appetite suppressant in Europe. Despite its effectiveness in dieting, Rimonabant was pulled from the market. Why? Big Pharma’s drug so completely blocked patients’ natural endocannabinoids that patients were deprived of not only their craving for food, but also deprived of their mental health. Because Rimonabant blocked the mood stabilizing effects of natural endocannabinoids, Rimonabant users were committing ѕυιcιdє in significant numbers.…

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    Offline Meg

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    Re: Marijuana use sinful for Catholics?
    « Reply #515 on: March 05, 2025, 11:56:00 AM »
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    • Quote from: Mithrandylan on March 05, 2025, 11:49:46 AM
    Mark really clearly explained how our body produces endocannabinoids (i.e., cannabinoids that our own body, by design, without any outside influence, makes by itself) to regulate physical and emotional pain sensors.  Soubirous had a good post about this earlier. That prefix "endo" refers to something already happening within our bodies, that our bodies are designed to produce and regulate. In this sense at the very least it is simply true that cannabinoids are indeed required for proper maintenance of bodily and emotional health. 

    So our minds bodies require the intake of marijuana-like substances in order to be healthy? Doesn't that mean that we have to injest or smoke marijuana in some form in order to be healthy? And what exactly are marijuana-like substances? Cannabinoids can only be found in marijuana, right? There are no other sources that I know of. 
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    ~St. Robert Bellarmine
    De Romano Pontifice, Lib.II, c.29

    Offline Mithrandylan

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    Re: Marijuana use sinful for Catholics?
    « Reply #516 on: March 05, 2025, 11:57:44 AM »
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    • Quote from: Meg on March 05, 2025, 11:56:00 AM
    So our minds bodies require the intake of marijuana-like substances in order to be healthy? Doesn't that mean that we have to injest or smoke marijuana in some form in order to be healthy? And what exactly are marijuana-like substances? Cannabinoids can only be found in marijuana, right? There are no other sources that I know of.
    Our bodies require marijuana like substances to be healthy, which is why a healthy and properly functioning body already makes them even if we don't ingest marijuana. 
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    Offline Mithrandylan

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    Re: Marijuana use sinful for Catholics?
    « Reply #517 on: March 05, 2025, 11:59:42 AM »
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    • Meg you're obviously not reading anything Mark has written. 
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    "Be kind; do not seek the malicious satisfaction of having discovered an additional enemy to the Church... And, above all, be scrupulously truthful. To all, friends and foes alike, give that serious attention which does not misrepresent any opinion, does not distort any statement, does not mutilate any quotation. We need not fear to serve the cause of Christ less efficiently by putting on His spirit". (Vermeersch, 1913).

    Offline Mark 79

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    Re: Marijuana use sinful for Catholics?
    « Reply #518 on: March 05, 2025, 12:01:35 PM »
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    • Quote from: Mithrandylan on March 05, 2025, 11:49:46 AM
    I'm not in a position to lecture about biology or anything, but some users here could really benefit from just a really basic understanding of some basic biological concepts.

    Mark really clearly explained how our body produces endocannabinoids (i.e., cannabinoids that our own body, by design, without any outside influence, makes by itself) to regulate physical and emotional pain sensors.  Soubirous had a good post about this earlier. That prefix "endo" refers to something already happening within our bodies, that our bodies are designed to produce and regulate. In this sense at the very least it is simply true that cannabinoids are indeed required for proper maintenance of bodily and emotional health. 

    As with any other endogenously produced chemical, it can be lawful and in some cases even required to exogenously (i.e., from outside the body) supplement for proper bodily/emotional function.  Marijuana is the primary example of an exogenous form of cannabinoids.  Using marijuana in a proper amount therefore promotes the required cannabinoidal functioning within the human body.

    TLDR: it's required in the same way that vitamin supplements are required.  Vitamins are indeed required for properly bodily function, even though not everyone needs to supplement them.
    Thank you.

    To reject the necessity of our endocannabinoids is to reject a fact of Creation and insults the Divine Providence, the Creator who created the endocannabinoid system.

    Accepting the necessity of the endocannabinoid system acknowledges and respects the Creator and His Creation. Such acceptance honors God the Creator, and in no way whatsoever "replaces God."

    Manichaean dualist insanity.
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    Offline Meg

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    Re: Marijuana use sinful for Catholics?
    « Reply #519 on: March 05, 2025, 12:04:22 PM »
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    • Quote from: Mithrandylan on March 05, 2025, 11:59:42 AM
    Meg you're obviously not reading anything Mark has written.

    He defends smoking pot, when some of us have seen the bad effects of this practice. That's not the same thing as what you are saying. Why would someone need to get stoned in order to be healthy? I mean, really?
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    "It is licit to resist a Sovereign Pontiff who is trying to destroy the Church. I say it is licit to resist him in not following his orders and in preventing the execution of his will. It is not licit to Judge him, to punish him, or to depose him, for these are acts proper to a superior."

    ~St. Robert Bellarmine
    De Romano Pontifice, Lib.II, c.29

    Online Gray2023

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    Re: Marijuana use sinful for Catholics?
    « Reply #520 on: March 05, 2025, 12:05:12 PM »
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    • Quote from: Meg on March 05, 2025, 11:56:00 AM
    So our minds bodies require the intake of marijuana-like substances in order to be healthy? Doesn't that mean that we have to injest or smoke marijuana in some form in order to be healthy? And what exactly are marijuana-like substances? Cannabinoids can only be found in marijuana, right? There are no other sources that I know of.
    Our body creates the substance.  Yet as Mark 79 said certain drugs depleted, or all together blocked the natural occurrence in our bodies.  If a drug could do this, maybe bad quality food, vaccines, dyes, and other drugs, can reduce it.  The quickest way to replenish seems to be THC.

    This was just my quick summation of the whole thing.  I could be wrong.
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    Offline Mark 79

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    Re: Marijuana use sinful for Catholics?
    « Reply #521 on: March 05, 2025, 12:10:40 PM »
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    • Quote from: Meg on March 05, 2025, 11:56:00 AM
    So our minds bodies require the intake of marijuana-like substances in order to be healthy? Doesn't that mean that we have to injest or smoke marijuana in some form in order to be healthy? And what exactly are marijuana-like substances? Cannabinoids can only be found in marijuana, right? There are no other sources that I know of.
    [sigh]

    Healthy minds and bodies already make their own endocannabinoids("marijuance-like substances").

    In numerous conditions repeatedly described to you for 3 years, unhealthy minds and bodies can benefit from exogenous supplements.

    For example, if your endogenous thyroid hormone production is inadequate, you become unhealthy. Intake of exogenous thyroid hormone, "medicine," can return the body to health.

    By analogy, a deficiency in endocannabinoids can be repaired by intake of exogenous phytocannabinoids.
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    Offline Meg

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    Re: Marijuana use sinful for Catholics?
    « Reply #522 on: March 05, 2025, 12:12:47 PM »
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    • Quote from: Mark 79 on March 05, 2025, 12:10:40 PM
    [sigh]

    Healthy minds and bodies already make their own endocannabinoids("marijuance-like substances").

    In numerous conditions repeatedly described to you for 3 years, unhealthy minds and bodies can benefit from exogenous supplements.

    For example, if your endogenous thyroid hormone production is inadequate, you become unhealthy. Intake of exogenous thyroid hormone, "medicine," can return the body to health.

    By analogy, a deficiency in endocannabinoids can be repaired by intake of exogenous phytocannabinoids.

    Okay, so it's fine if people become stoned on a regular basis, and become addicted to pot, because in reality, it's making them healthier in mind and body?
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    "It is licit to resist a Sovereign Pontiff who is trying to destroy the Church. I say it is licit to resist him in not following his orders and in preventing the execution of his will. It is not licit to Judge him, to punish him, or to depose him, for these are acts proper to a superior."

    ~St. Robert Bellarmine
    De Romano Pontifice, Lib.II, c.29

    Offline Mark 79

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    Re: Marijuana use sinful for Catholics?
    « Reply #523 on: March 05, 2025, 12:18:22 PM »
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    • Quote from: Meg on March 05, 2025, 12:12:47 PM
    Okay, so it's fine if people become stoned on a regular basis, and become addicted to pot, because in reality, it's making them healthier in mind and body?
    Why do you persist in turning simple and carefully circuмscribed observations into a panoply of hysterical straw man arguments and Procrustean distortions?

    You managed to turn an appreciation of the Creator and His Creation into an accusation of "replacing" Him.

    Do you do this because of ill will or because you are truly incapable of honesty and logic?

    People die from Fentanyl abuse. Should anesthesiologists stop using Fentanyl during anesthesia for surgery?

    Apparently your personal experiences have so traumatized you that you are unwilling to be rational in this discussion.
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    Online Gray2023

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    Re: Marijuana use sinful for Catholics?
    « Reply #524 on: March 05, 2025, 12:21:17 PM »
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    • Quote from: Gray2023 on March 05, 2025, 12:05:12 PM
    Our body creates the substance.  Yet as Mark 79 said certain drugs depleted, or all together blocked the natural occurrence in our bodies.  If a drug could do this, maybe bad quality food, vaccines, dyes, and other drugs, can reduce it.  The quickest way to replenish seems to be THC.

    This was just my quick summation of the whole thing.  I could be wrong.
    The point is that THC could be a useful supplement for those who have low Cannabinoids.  I guess the next question would be is there a way to measure the levels in a person to know if they need supplements, like you would do for Vitamin D.
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