Okay, time for the toxicologst to chime in: this is actually a big part of what I do for a living (no, not smoking pot – LOL – but rather the study of substances and treatment of ingestions).
Marijuana is a VERY complex substance with HUNDREDS of active substances (cannabinoids) in every joint, bowl, bong, brownie or whatever you are using. These agents have a neurological mechanism which is only partially understood and is quite variable in its effects from plant to plant, from one individual to another, from one delivery method to another, and is affected by the user’s expectations and the social setting in which it is used. The stuff has been around for 4000 years and is the most widely abused illicit substance in America with one survey showing 40% of the American population over 12 years of age having done it at least once (so not “everybody” is doing it, even though many are). I’ll stop with that here lest I perseverate further.
Acute toxicity (i.e. “getting high) is typically described with symptoms such as relaxation, heightened sensory awareness, increased appetite, and a sense of well being. That said it has also been reported to produce agitation, nausea and vomiting, psychosis, and paranoia as well as in other instances lethargy, sedation, inability to concentrate, slurred speech and slowed reaction time. Two morals of that story: 1) it is blatantly irresponsible to drive either drunk or stoned! and 2) marijuana is like that box of chocolates from Forrest Gump.
While in most instances of marijuana use, heart rate increases, there have been many reported cases of decreased in heart rate and blood pressure as well. So truth be told, physiologic findings are all over the map. Chronic use leads to a compromised immune system, reduced fertility, lowered testosterone levels (yes, your balls may shrink), “antimotivational syndrome” (ie don’t wanna do a damn thing but sit around and smoke weed), and the typical nicotine related lung and throat cancers as well as a form of emphysema which makes the one caused by tobacco look like a picnic.
Now despite documented focal increases in brain blood flow in some studies (with intravenous THC oddly enough, not smoked or eaten marijuana), there is evidence to show that you think differently with marijuana use, but not necessarily better. With regular use there is documented evidence of impairments in math skills, memory, and verbal expression (“whoah!” LOL). Ever review later on the last essay exam you wrote while stoned?
All that said, it IS theoretically possible for marijuana to enhance the tickling experience for some people in some situations. But the unpredictability of effects and the side effect profile are, in my opinion, not warranting of its use. There may be those who are adolescent enough to think “it won’t happen to me, I can control it” but in my experience a lot of those folks end up “rolling the dice” with the variable effects of this drug one too many times and end up getting burned or God forbid end up seeing me in the ER. There are many better ways to enhance you tickling experience; attend the next Michigan gathering for some ideas!
Hope that helps shed some light on a potentially very complex issue,
With best regards,
Professor Tkl, MD
I see newspaper taxies and marmalade skies.
