Quiz

BuzzFeed Staff

Science

<b>This quiz is harder *ahem* than you might think.</b>

This quiz is harder *ahem* than you might think.

Are These Quotes Anti-Pot Or Anti-Masturbation?

Here's the full quote from Dr. Edward John Tilt's 1881 medical reference [_A Handbook of Uterine Therapeutics and of Diseases of Women_](https://books.google.com/books?id=VDMSAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA90#v=onepage&q&f=false):
"Habitual masturbation lowers the whole tone of the system, causes an irritable condition of the temper, the milder manifestations of hysteria, and the gradual and the permanent impairment of the mental faculties."
_Note: Most scientists these days agree that masturbation is not harmful and may well [be beneficial to overall mental and physical health.](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J056v14n02_02)_

Anti-Masturbation!

Is this quote anti-pot or anti-masturbation?

This 1936 quote comes from the International Narcotic Education Association in a pamphlet titled: ["Marihuana or Indian Hemp and Its Preparations."](http://reefermadnessmuseum.org/chap06/RM_Pamphlet.htm) Here's the full quote:   
_"Our Federal Bureau cannot win this fight alone. It is incumbent upon all good citizens, educators, legislators, philanthropic organizations, clubs, religious and civic organizations to join in the fight for the suppression of a vice which is spreading and has become so serious in America."_

Anti-Pot!

Here's the full quote from Dr. Edward John Tilt's 1881 medical reference
 [_A Handbook of Uterine Therapeutics and of Diseases of Women_](https://books.google.com/books?id=VDMSAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA90#v=onepage&q&f=false): "It is not masturbation that causes epilepsy, idiocy, and insanity, but epileptics, idiots, and the insane often fall back on foul practices to diversify the monotony of a miserable life."  
_Note: Most scientists these days agree that masturbation is not harmful and may well [be beneficial to overall mental and physical health.](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J056v14n02_02)_

This 1936 quote comes from the International Narcotic Education Association in a pamphlet titled: ["Marihuana or Indian Hemp and Its Preparations."](http://reefermadnessmuseum.org/chap06/RM_Pamphlet.htm) Here's the full quote:   
"While the marihuana habit leads to physical wreckage and mental decay, its effects upon character and morality are even more devastating. Marihuana sometimes gives man the lust to kill unreasonably and without motive. Many cases of assault, rape, robbery, and murder are traced to the use of marihuana."  
_Note: The link between marijuana use and violence is [disputed](http://dre.sagepub.com/content/41/4/369.full.pdf). Some studies actually suggest that [weed can reduce violence](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25134048)._

Here's the full quote from Dr. Joseph W. Howe's 1884 text [_Excessive Venery, Masturbation and Continence: The Etiology, Pathology and Continence_](https://books.google.com/books?dq=masturbation&id=sB01AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA62#v=onepage&q=vice&f=false):   
"Masturbation is a universal vice in civilized countries. A very large majority of human beings of both sexes indulges in the habit from early childhood.  
In savage lands it is of rare occurrence. Savages live in a state of nature. No moral obligations exist which compel them to abstain from a natural gratification of their passions. There is no social law which prevents them from following the dictates of their lower nature. Hence they have no reason for adopting onanism as an outlet for passions."   
_Note: Most scientists these days agree that masturbation is not harmful and may well [be beneficial to overall mental and physical health.](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J056v14n02_02)_

Here's the full quote from Dr. Joseph W. Howe's 1884 text [_Excessive Venery, Masturbation and Continence: The Etiology, Pathology and Continence_](https://books.google.com/books?dq=masturbation&id=sB01AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA105#v=onepage&q&f=false):   
"Apathy, loss of memory, abeyance of concentrative power and manifestation of mind generally, combined with loss of self-reliance and an indisposition for or impulsiveness of action, irritability of temper, and incoherence of language are the most characteristic mental phenomena of chronic dementia resulting from masturbation in young men."  
_Note: Most scientists these days agree that masturbation is not harmful and may well [be beneficial to overall mental and physical health.](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J056v14n02_02)_

That quote is from the former United States Drug Czar [John P. Walters](http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/white-house-drug-czar-research-and-mental-health-communities-warn-parents-that-marijuana-use-can-lead-to-depression-suicidal-thoughts-and-schizophrenia-54240132.html). Here's the full text:  
 "A growing body of evidence now demonstrates that smoking marijuana can increase the risk of serious mental health problems. New research being conducted here and abroad illustrates that marijuana use, particularly during the teen years, can lead
 to depression, thoughts of suicide, and schizophrenia. This is yet another reason that parents must stay closely involved with their teens and ensure that they are not smoking marijuana."  
_Note: The link between marijuana and schizophrenia is [disputed](http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-marijuana-cause-psychosis/), but a growing body of evidence does [suggest harm](http://aapgrandrounds.aappublications.org/content/33/3/36.short) from marijuana to pre-adult users._

Here's the full quote from Dr. Joseph W. Howe's 1884 text [_Excessive Venery, Masturbation and Continence: The Etiology, Pathology and Continence_](https://books.google.com/books?dq=masturbation&id=sB01AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA102#v=onepage&q=ten%20per%20cent&f=false):   
"The principal authorities on the subject say that ten percent of all cases of insanity are traceable to masturbation and sexual excess."  
_Note: Most scientists these days agree that masturbation is not harmful and may well [be beneficial to overall mental and physical health.](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J056v14n02_02)_

This 1936 quote comes from the International Narcotic Education Association in a pamphlet titled: ["Marihuana or Indian Hemp and Its Preparations."](http://reefermadnessmuseum.org/chap06/RM_Pamphlet.htm) Here's the full quote:   
"The habitual use of this narcotic poison always causes a very marked mental deterioration and sometimes produces insanity. Hence, marihuana is frequently called “loco weed” (loco is the Spanish word for crazy."  
_Note: The link between marijuana and psychosis is, at best, [disputed](http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-marijuana-cause-psychosis/)._

Don't worry! Spurious anti-masturbation arguments from the 1800s are strikingly similar to spurious anti-pot arguments of the 1900s and beyond. It's real hard to tell the difference! Your friends would likely do no better.

That's understandably weak!

Oh man! Spurious anti-masturbation arguments from the 1800s are strikingly similar to spurious anti-pot arguments of the 1900s and beyond. It's real hard to tell the difference, so we are shocked you did so well! No way your friends would do better.

That's shockingly good!

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