Dennis RomeroYou couldn't imagine worst news for male stoners than a doctor's contention this week that weed might actually cause some tokers to grow “man boobs.”
Perhaps only a connection between vaginal growth among men and cannabis use would have inspired more uproar in the marijuana community.
Anthony Youn is a plastic surgeon who says when daily smokers come to him for man-boob reduction, the first thing he tells them is …
… to stop smoking dope.
In a piece for the CNN website this week that went viral, Youn argued that studies show the active ingredients in cannabis can decrease the macho hormone testosterone, which can lead to man boobs:
Animal studies have shown that exposure to the active ingredient in marijuana can result in a decrease in testosterone levels, a reduction of testicular size, and abnormalities in the form and function of sperm.
In humans, the effects of marijuana on testosterone and estrogen levels aren't as clear. Lower testosterone levels have been reported in chronic marijuana users compared to nonusers, but not all studies support this.
Credit: Fun bag by Nanette Gonzalez for LA Weekly
In a hard-to-believe claim, the Detroit M.D. suggests that the man-boobs phenomenon affects nearly one-third of the male population.
The assertion has caused a furor in the pot world. And it has raised doubts about the doc's claims, particularly because he's in a position to profit from man-boob-phobia.
Youn is not 100 percent sure on the man-boob-marijuana link, but he says he asked his colleagues about it and found out they also recommend cutting back on cannabis to avoid fun bags for bros.
You would think if this were true, however, L.A. would be awash in man-boobs, since we've been awash in marijuana dispensaries for years.
Thankfully, Los Angeles doesn't appear to have this problem.
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