I’ve been reading today the comments to various news columns about Michael Phelps and his bong-sucking photo gaffe. It’s fairly appalling how widely accepted marijuana usage is - even seen as “normal” for teens and young people. People just don’t seem to realize today’s marijuana is not your father’s marijuana. Some THC levels are as high as 30 percent!
I’ve often wondered why so many people with neurocognitive disorders such as ADHD seem to have children with much greater impairments. No doubt, there are many factors at play. But could one factor be damage to sperm and eggs from parental marijuana usage? We know that even diet and alcohol affects long-term sperm/egg health. Why not this high-powered marijuana?
It’s also funny how the people who most rail at psychotropic medications and psychiatric diagnoses are the first to claim that marijuana is “natural” and “herbal.” I think we need more science education in this country.
(Therapy patient — Like your doc, I don’t trust most generics, either. Not for complicated formulations.)
Even as I thrill at Michael’s accomplishments, I worry that parents of children with ADHD will now decide against treatment for them and hope against hope that their child can find an object of passion like Michael did.
As you say, being a major swimming competitor is his hyperfocus. Someone else’s might be serial dating and continual dissatisfaction, spending on Ebay, and worse.
Every person–ADHD or not–should be seen as an individual, in my opinion, and not bundled with stereotypes that might not suit them. And I would hope people with ADHD also get a shot at happiness without having to break world records. It seems to be demanding a lot–and I sometimes wonder at the cost.