Do you have "moobs"? Don't use marijuana.

Moobs?

Moobs is a shortened name for “man boobs”, which is a slang term for male breast tissue, also known in medical terminology as gynecomastia.  Gynecomastia is far more common than people think.  It affects anywhere from 33-41% of men between the ages of 25 and 45.  And it affects 55-60% of men over the age of 50.  

It also is a matter of considerable distress for men who suffer with it, not withstanding Seinfeld's use of it as a comedic theme in an episode a few years ago. It can be the subject of frequent and humiliating teasing.

Gynecomastia is caused by a hormone imbalance between the male hormone, testosterone, and it’s female counterpart, estrogen.  When estrogen dominates, men are prone to develop “moobs”. 

Now, we are finding in animal studies, that the active ingredient in marijuana may contribute to the imbalance of estrogen over testosterone. Can this cause “moobs” in pot smokers? Are we going find an increase in the occurrence of gynecomastia? I know as a Fort Myers plastic surgeon, I have seen a great increase in the number of men with gynecomastia.  Nationally, the number of men who had surgery for gynecomastia rose 30% from 2011 to 2012.  

So you may want to reconsider the “joint” if you have “moobs”.

ANTI AGING ON THE HORIZON/MARIJUANA

Dr. Robert J. Brueck, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Fort Myers, Florida, with a web site at http://www.Beauty-by-Brueck.com , frequently blogs about matters of health and beauty. Today's subject is marijuana and aging.

I have always said that Californians are often trendsetters in America.

They may have found the secret to “anti-aging”. Marijuana!

As you may know, California has legalized marijuana use for certain medical conditions , as have some other states as well. There now are pot or marijuana shops all over the state and recently the state has started to clamp down on them.

For those looking for something different to do on their vacation next year you may want to consider attending the two-day seminar “Science and Compassionate Care Seminar” in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (Good thing it’s in July and not January. Brrr.)

One of the speakers at the seminar was Dr. Robert Melamede, President and CEO of Cannabis Sciences, Inc. He also is associate professor at the University of California and an expert on the use of marijuana.

(I wonder if there are any “Rocky Mountain Highs” out there.)

Melamede says our brain contains receptors that help regulate memory, mood and appetite, among other things. This is called the endocannabinoid system. Marijuana heightens the sensitivity of this system. He feels marijuana is “an essential nutrient” for its anti-aging properties “by smoothing out” free radicals.

We do know free radicals are the harbinger of or contribute to many diseases in our bodies. Dr. Melamede says, and I quote, “cannaboids have curative or at least palliative properties.”

For those who are daring, you can buy hemp facial cream, Chanvre Crème Protectrice Versage.

For those youngsters out there, just remember that marijuana can contribute to acne and we know how that plagues our young population.

Parents beware! I, for one, would not like a bunch of stoned,pot-smoking drivers on the road - teenagers included. It’s bad enough we have alcohol and DUI. (Maybe we can have a new category ~ SUI - smoking under the influence!)

Dr. Brueck's blog is not medical advice and is intended only to provide new information and insights on topics of current interest.