Harm reduction--the cannabis paradox.

Harm Reduct J

Biology Department, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, 80918, USA.

Published: September 2005

This article examines harm reduction from a novel perspective. Its central thesis is that harm reduction is not only a social concept, but also a biological one. More specifically, evolution does not make moral distinctions in the selection process, but utilizes a cannabis-based approach to harm reduction in order to promote survival of the fittest. Evidence will be provided from peer-reviewed scientific literature that supports the hypothesis that humans, and all animals, make and use internally produced cannabis-like products (endocannabinoids) as part of the evolutionary harm reduction program. More specifically, endocannabinoids homeostatically regulate all body systems (cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, excretory, immune, nervous, musculo-skeletal, reproductive). Therefore, the health of each individual is dependent on this system working appropriately.

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1261530PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1477-7517-2-17DOI Listing

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