6 THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 7, 2008 Study links cannabis, disease BY LAURA MARCINEK STAff WRITER Young people who are heavy smokers of cannabis, a substance found in marijuana, could be at a sig nificant risk for gum disease, accord ing to a study released Tuesday. The study found that partici pants who used cannabis between the ages of 18 and 32 were more likely to have mild and severe peri odontal disease than those who never used the substance. “What we found out is that marijuana does pose a risk above smoking cigarettes,” said James Beck, professor of dental ecology at the UNC School of Dentistry, who helped author the study. Periodontal disease is the loss of gum support around the tooth caused by microorganisms in plaque under the teeth and gums. Some people have the genetic ability to fight the disease more effectively than others. If untreated, the disease can sometimes lead to tooth loss. The two major risk factors for gum disease are diabetes and using tobacco products. But typically, people younger than real world 2 continents, 2 degrees, ljear A graduate program designed especially for engineering, science and lech students looking for a global perspective Applications Due ' April ;in !m ! i! 2 OOX ppp *** Si A i'AmT VTwi i jImV ppp TWfflimßfflMi-• ■ififflilrlWMMißMMr mmmll p p Jr / AAAA ?- fTTHWIHf JENKINS MIIM GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT I$ 1 *> ’ MASTER OF GLOBAL INNOVATION MANAGEMENT * ■ ■ He; ' W K an ability to create his or igh sublime experience. tg better than your course load on the craziest nightlife in Colorado back in town, place to experience higher learning. _ * m m p v ■ 'YtX BRECKENRIDGE j) COLORADO JLU* - The Perfect Mountain Town - 30 aren't as prone to gum disease. “The rule of thumb is you don’t start talking about periodontal dis ease until after the age of 35,” Beck said. Natalie Tiimer. a junior journal ism major, was not surprised by the study's findings. But she said she does not believe the data will change people's habits. “I don't think people think about gum disease until they actually have it," Turner said. Eric Smith, a health educator with Campus Health Services' sub stance abuse prevention program, said marijuana use can affect a student's memory retention and problem-solving abilities. “It's not just the impact on your health, but also it's the effects on your life as a student," Smith said. “From the academic perspective, the effect marijuana can have on your brain is huge." The study started more than 30 years ago when Dr. W. Murray Thomson, professor of dental pub lic health at the University of Otago in New Zealand, began following participants born between 1972 News and 1973. The participants reported on their cannabis and tobacco use four times between the ages of 18 and 32 and were examined for signs of dental disease at ages 26 and 32. “They’re pretty trustful of these investigators, and they would prob ably get a valid response," Beck said. “It’s one of the few studies that would have information like that’ Addiction varies by person and depends on frequency of use. ‘Long-term marijuana abuse can lead to addictions," Smith said. In 2000, the rate of marijuana usage among college students was 33.6 percent a 9 percent increase from 1990. Students interested in quitting should consider meeting with health professionals at Counseling and Wellness Services, Smith said. “Much like smoking, cold turkey might not be the best way to go," he said. “Between the health and legal reasons, that should be good motivation to quit." Contact the University Editor at udesk(wunc.edu. VINCE VAUGHN FROM PAGE 3 Northern Illinois University in Dekalb. Maniscalco was recommended to be on Vaughn's tour by a mutual friend. Ahmed Ahmed, who is also one of the comedians featured in the film. "Getting on the tour was a dream come true for me." said Maniscalco, who has been a fan of Vaughn's work since watching the comic's performance in “Swingers." “You felt like a rock star. It was like traveling with Elvis Presley." Maniscalco said all of the fea tured comics' styles of comedy are different and describes his own material as observational sketches that comment on what people are doing in contemporary society. “I could have done 60 days, it was that great. Being on this tour dwarfed any kinds of complaints you might have," Maniscalco said. “It w-as a little ambitious, 30 shows, 30 nights, but I'm proud of the film and what we’ve done." Contact the Arts Editor at a rtsdesk@ unc.edu. I EPBREAK Trawl the world With Hg ■ *•*> eolege students from ail I over the country I oasy I affordable I Jfk I gfc., _ . > di 11 \ vl efcoHegebreak.com/travel 800,766.2645 OUT OF THIS WORLD MEXICAN % .* i dfephgi. * • w m . iM" • i- . r' _ . .; - ” always fresh, juicy, biq and healthy - . big.cheap.late.great menu sampling: 4r old school veggie burrito* ........2.06 • chicken burr,to where are we? quesadilla ...... ?nfr chapel ; hiH- right across the street chicken quesadilla. „„.4.12