Tadpole Eyes Become More Light Sensitive
When night fell , three of the test subjects smoked while the fourth volunteer ingested a synthetic form of cannabis . Using the latest optic equipment , the men ’ s eyes were then tested to determine if their night vision had improved . Without exception , the tests proved the men ’ s ability to see in the dark had been greatly enhanced .
Tadpole Eyes Become More Light Sensitive
More recently , in a paper published in August 2016 by famed cellular biologist Dr . Lois Miraucourt of the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University , the eye tissue of tadpoles was treated with a synthetic cannabinoid . The results backed up the original observations of M . E . West and the claims of the second study group in Morocco . The tadpoles ’ ability to see in the dark was greatly improved . Essentially , the study showed that the introduction of cannabinoids to the eyes of these tadpoles reduced the chloride ions inside the retinal ganglia cells , which hyperpolarizes the cell , making it able to fire at higher frequencies when stimulated .
What this means is that it makes them more light-sensitive . Utilizing software developed with McGill physics and chemistry professor Paul Wiseman , the research team could detect behavior changes in the tadpoles . Their conclusion was that after exposure to increased levels of cannabinoids , the tadpoles were more able to detect dimmer objects in low light than they had without the cannabinoids . The experiment was completed multiple times with a variety of techniques and the results were consistent , says the paper ’ s senior author , Ed Ruthazer , a professor of neurology and neurosurgery at the Montreal Neurological Institute . In a statement to the university , Ruthazer said that though their findings were somewhat controversial and unconventional , the observable effect was so strong they knew it was an important discovery . It is not yet known if this discovery means cannabinoids have the same effect on human vision , but Ruthazer says the research indicates that they have found a previously unknown role for cannabinoids in brain signaling . The next step is to attempt the experiment with the retina of mice or human retina cell cultures .
For centuries and in many cultures , cannabis has been used in ethnomedicine ( traditional medicine used by indigenous peoples ) for its calming and healing effectiveness on both mental and physical disorders . Unlike historical snake oils that promised to cure everything from gallstones to demonic possession , claims of medical marijuana benefits are now being backed by hard science . In numerous controlled studies by leading researchers at prestigious institutions , more and more discoveries are being made surrounding the mystical and undeniable powers of both cannabis sativa and indica . Moreover , marijuana is now at the forefront of some of the most important research being conducted to date on a host of serious maladies and with some singular results .
Alan Ray has written five books and is a New York Times bestselling author . Additionally , he is a multi-award winning songwriter with awards from BMI and ASCAP . Alan lives in Tennessee with his wife and two dogs : a South African Boerboel and a Pomeranian / Wolverine mix . myhydrolife . com grow . heal . learn . enjoy . 63