Just saw this

[drewterry]

STONY BROOK, N.Y., March 24, 2009 – Dale Deutsch, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Stony Brook University and colleagues discovered a new molecular mechanism for the processing of endocannabinoids, brain compounds similar to ..., the active ingredient in ........., and essential in physiological processes such as pain, appetite, and memory. Reported online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the finding could pave the way for new medicines for pain, addiction, appetite control and other disorders.

[LaceyUnderall]

I mean what is the criteria for whether a drug should be regulated or not? Sugar is a drug and its not regulated. Caffeine is a drug and its not regulated. So why the inconsistency? There are several drugs out there that are not regulated.

Because of the delivery. I personally, don't think kids should be able to purchase soda. Look at the rise of attention deficit disorders! And parents taking their kids to starbucks for a frappachino, that's disgusting.

Nicotine has mostly been delivered in a "dirty" way that was harmful not only to the user but to those around the user. That's why nicotine is seen as different than caffeine. Caffeine and nicotine are extremely similar drugs in their effects.

[drewterry]

I mean it all gets a bit sticky doesnt it? This is all aside from the question of whether or not anyone actually has the authority to tell you what you can or cannot do with your own body. Up to and including what you choose to put into it. That seems a bit obscure to me.

[LaceyUnderall]

I mean it all gets a bit sticky doesnt it? This is all aside from the question of whether or not anyone actually has the authority to tell you what you can or cannot do with your own body. Up to and including what you choose to put into it. That seems a bit obscure to me.

"It isn't the governments responsibility to save me from myself"

[leaford]

No. Plain and simple, the body is designed to break down sugars for fuel, It is a necessary part of our bodily functions. Without it, we die, period. ........., aspirin, alcohol, nicotine, etc, CAN be metqabolized, but are neither a natural nor necessary part of our bodily functions. The difference is clear.

[drewterry]

Because of the delivery. I personally, don't think kids should be able to purchase soda. Look at the rise of attention deficit disorders! And parents taking their kids to starbucks for a frappachino, that's disgusting.

Nicotine has mostly been delivered in a "dirty" way that was harmful not only to the user but to those around the user. That's why nicotine is seen as different than caffeine. Caffeine and nicotine are extremely similar drugs in their effects.

Its interesting that you bring up ADD... do you know what ADD medication really is? Its methamphetimine.... street name speed or crystal meth. That is what doctors are prescribing to kids with ADD and those meds are approved by the FDA. So if speed or crystal meth is approved by the FDA then why is it an illegal drug?

[leaford]

STONY BROOK, N.Y., March 24, 2009 – Dale Deutsch, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Stony Brook University and colleagues discovered a new molecular mechanism for the processing of endocannabinoids, brain compounds similar to ..., the active ingredient in ........., and essential in physiological processes such as pain, appetite, and memory. Reported online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the finding could pave the way for new medicines for pain, addiction, appetite control and other disorders.

Key word there is SIMILAR. And it is produced within the body, not taken into the body. BIG differences. That's a neurochemical, not a drug, and the fact that it's similar to ... doesn't make ... a natural part of our bodily functions.

[wv2win]

It's not hypocritical. The FDA would love to consider them drug delivery devices. The courts, though, have ruled otherwise, and congress would have overridden the FDA even if the courts hadn't.

leaford, I believe you are right about Congress and/or the courts not allowing FDA oversight of tobacco. I still think it is hypocritical, however. It is especially hypocritical of Congress. Electronic Vaporizers are simply an "alternative" method of inhaling a mixture of substances just like cigarettes are a method of inhaling a mixture of substances, except the tobacco mixture happens to have 400+ cancer causing agents included that is not found in the "alternative". But lets (our government) continue to support/allow the cancer causing method but regulate at best or ban at worst, the better alternative. There has never been a better example of "hypocracy".

[drewterry]

No. Plain and simple, the body is designed to break down sugars for fuel, It is a necessary part of our bodily functions. Without it, we die, period. ........., aspirin, alcohol, nicotine, etc, CAN be metqabolized, but are neither a natural nor necessary part of our bodily functions. The difference is clear.

How do we define necessary though? I mean all drugs are plant based right? After a certain amount our body stops breaking down sugar and stores it in the form of fat. Too much sugar intake can cause diabetes high blood pressure migraine headaches and a whole slew of other adverse health problems. Our body actually gets all the sugar it needs from normal food. All plants contain sugar.

[LaceyUnderall]

Its interesting that you bring up ADD... do you know what ADD medication really is? Its methamphetimine.... street name speed or crystal meth. That is what doctors are prescribing to kids with ADD and those meds are approved by the FDA. So if speed or crystal meth is approved by the FDA then why is it an illegal drug?

Because the pharmaceutical companies came up with a wonderful way to create lifelong customers. Get parents to think the answer to the behavioral issues in their children are not by diet changes but with a pill. This, in turn, gets kids used to popping pills and then in turn, creates adults who think they NEED a pill to be better.

It is no different than what the cigarette companies have done. The pharmaceutical companies simply do it behind the curtain of government approval.