Getting tadpoles stoned helps them see in the dark , according to a study that appeared recently in the journaleLife . And while scientist do n’t yet have any evidence that smoking weed can improve thenight visionof human being , the results of this research paint a picture that this could well be the character .
Marijuana contains chemical compound likeTHCthat bind to thecannabinoid receptorsin the mental capacity for produce a compass of effect . Among these is a receptor make out as CB1 , which control several of the whizz typically associate with being stoned . Interestingly , the humanretinacontains a eminent concentration of CB1 receptors , suggesting that ganja probably has an effect on our vision .
To enquire , the study source apply synthetic cannabinoids to the eye tissue paper of tadpoles of the African clawed salientian , and used flyspeck electrode to measure how this regulate the activity of their retinal neurons – bonk asretinal ganglion cells(RGCs ) . Readings indicated a spike in RGC activeness in the front of cannabinoids , suggesting that activating CB1 receptors increases the sensitivity of these light - find cell .
To affirm this , the team then placed the tadpoles in a petri dish aerial along with some black dot that were designed to reckon like marauder , so that the pollywog would consciously avoid them . In dispirited unaccented conditions , polliwog that had received cannabinoids were much better at dodging these Zen than those that had n’t been treat with the drug , indicating that their RGCs had become more sensitive to light , allowing them to see better in the dark .
In their write - up , the researcher excuse that the binding of these cannabinoids to the CB1 receptors in the pollywog ’ retinas resulted in the suppression of a protein called NKCC1 , which transport chloride , K and sodium ions across neuronic membranes .
Blocking the activity of this transporter leads to a decrease in the number of negatively charged chloride ions inside neurons , which make membranes to become hyperpolarized , resulting in an increase in electrical activity .
Though more research is required so as to confirm if marihuana produce the same upshot in humans , the finding of this study certainly bring home the bacon some interesting food for thought as the scientific community go on to probe the drug ’s medicative properties .
