Articles tagged with Stimulants
Overdose deaths involving cocaine or methamphetamine increased triply in the shadow of the opioid epidemic. Most fatal overdoses (70%) involved multiple substances, with most being opioids and stimulants. The study highlights disparities in overdose risk from stimulants among Black veterans and rural residents.
A recent study from the University of Georgia found that college students who misuse stimulant drugs are also likely to engage in heavy drinking and marijuana use. The research suggests a strong behavioral link among polysubstance users, highlighting the need for universities to be aware of the additive health effects of these behaviors.
Researchers found that methamphetamine, cocaine, and nicotine withdrawal share similar features in mouse brains, including reduced modularity and increased functional connectivity. This reorganization may contribute to the addictive nature of psychostimulants.
Research in mice reveals that drug withdrawal alters brain activity patterns, causing increased functional connectivity and decreased modularity. This universal effect may be a common trait among different types of addictive drugs.
Overdose deaths involving methamphetamine rose 180% from 2015 to 2019, outpacing increases in methamphetamine use. Riskier patterns of use, including frequent use and co-use with other substances, contributed to the surge. Diverse populations, particularly American Indians/Alaska Natives and young adults, are disproportionately affected.
Researchers found a spike in prescription opioid and anti-anxiety sedative consumption, while illicit drug use plummeted during the early pandemic. The study used wastewater analysis to track community-wide habits and anxiety levels.
Researchers tested 17 supplements containing deterenol and found nine experimental stimulants, linked to nausea, vomiting, and cardiac arrest. Consumers are urged to avoid these products and report any adverse effects to medical authorities.
A study found that nearly a third of US teens and young adults prescribed psychoactive drugs misuse them, with stimulants and tranquillisers being most frequently misused. The likelihood of misuse increases with age, highlighting the need for comprehensive health promotion approaches among youth.
A new study by Boston Medical Center reveals that opioid overdose deaths involving multiple substances are more prevalent among youth than opioid-only deaths. Cocaine and other stimulants were found to be the most common substances involved in these deaths, contributing to a significant increase in rates between 2010 and 2018.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that LGB individuals, particularly bisexual women and gay men, use stimulants at higher rates than heterosexuals. This is linked to minority stress and structural stigma, with potential consequences including substance use disorder and overdose.
A toxicology study found that nonprescribed fentanyl and stimulants were the primary contributors to overdose mortality in BC. Only 8.7% of individuals had taken prescribed opioids, highlighting the need for alternative strategies to address the current overdose crisis.
The study found higher medical and non-medical prescription stimulant use among heterosexuals and certain LGB subpopulations in states without MCLs. States with MCLs had lower odds of medical stimulant use, while bisexual men reported higher non-medical prescription stimulant use.
Two studies have revealed the increasing and widespread use of psychostimulants among medical students, as well as the risks associated with recreational use of laughing gas. Recreational use of laughing gas has been linked to permanent neurological damage and vitamin B12 deficiency, highlighting a growing public health concern.
A new study from Brown University researchers reveals that Ritalin and similar medications primarily direct the brain to emphasize task benefits over costs. The study found that increased dopamine levels in the striatum region motivate individuals to focus on the positive aspects of completing difficult tasks.
A study found that one in 18 physicians received pharmaceutical marketing for stimulant medications, often in the form of food or beverage. The study suggests that subtle marketing tactics may contribute to the increasing prescribing and misuse of these medications.
Overdose emergency departments visits involving cocaine and psychostimulants with an opioid increased significantly since 2006. The study highlights the need for expanded opioid overdose prevention and reversal efforts.
The Lancet report highlights the need for a new international approach to drug use, citing growing problems with stimulant use and emerging issues like cannabis legalization. The authors estimate that increased provision of opioid agonist treatment could help avoid up to 26% of opioid-related deaths.
Early treatment with stimulant medication has strong protective effects against mood disorders, conduct disorders, substance use disorders, driving impairments, and academic failure in children and young adults with ADHD. The study found that three participants needed to be treated to prevent one from developing serious outcomes.
A new study reveals that polysubstance use, where individuals combine opioids with other substances like stimulants, is now the norm in Massachusetts. Social determinants of health, including homelessness and mental illness, are significantly associated with these overdose deaths.
A recent study found that psychostimulants, particularly methamphetamine, play a major role in fatal strokes among young adults. The study analyzed national data and found that nearly a fifth of fatal strokes in adults aged 15-44 were attributed to psychostimulant use.
Sales of prescription psychiatric drugs such as Xanax and diazepam have increased significantly on the UK's darknet marketplaces. The study found that Xanax sales are catching up with diazepam, accounting for nearly a third of all sedative sales.
Researchers conducted a long-term study on rhesus monkeys and found that chronic exposure to methylphenidate, a commonly prescribed ADHD drug, did not increase cardiovascular risks in healthy children. The study's findings contribute important evidence to an ongoing controversy over the safety of stimulant therapy for ADHD.
A new study found unpredictable and potentially harmful levels of higenamine in US weight-loss and sports/energy supplements, urging consumers to use caution. The researchers call for independent testing and certification of dietary supplements to minimize adverse health effects.
A new study in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that stimulants like methylphenidate improve classroom behavior and performance by enhancing specific cognitive processes. The more medication helped kids hold and manipulate information in working memory, the greater the classroom benefit.
Researchers developed a new membrane with nanoscale pores that allows for controlled sweat stimulant release, mitigating issues with direct dermal contact and sweat dilution. The technology has the potential to improve wearable biosensing devices for measuring small samples of sweat.
A University of Maryland study found that individuals who regularly consumed highly caffeinated energy drinks over five years were more likely to use cocaine and non-medically use prescription stimulants. The research suggests a potential link between energy drink consumption and increased risk for substance use among young adults.
Research reveals that current or past stimulant use can lead to psychomotor control deficits, affecting everyday tasks. Heavy users experience persistent tremors even after months of detoxification.
Researchers at Mainz University Medical Center found that high-performance chess players can enhance cognitive functions with stimulants without compromising creative thinking. The study revealed that methylphenidate and modafinil improve chess performance in short, timed matches but not in longer games.
Research suggests that recreational amphetamine use may hasten the biological ageing of the heart, with effects seen in both men and women. The study found that amphetamine users showed signs of premature ageing of the heart, even after accounting for other cardiovascular risk factors.
Researchers found unemployed workers had the highest risk of misusing prescription opioids, while those out of the workforce entirely were most at risk for misusing prescription stimulants. Nonmedical prescription opioid use costs the US $42 billion in lost productivity annually.
A new study by Massachusetts General Hospital finds that college students who misuse prescription stimulant medications are more likely to exhibit clinically relevant psychiatric dysfunction. The report also highlights immediate-release stimulants as a particular risk factor for misuse.
Research suggests that prolonged drug use can damage the brains of cocaine and methamphetamine users, leading to difficulty with moral decision making. The study found abnormal neural activity in the frontal lobes and limbic regions of their brains during moral processing.
A new study by the Endocrine Society finds that children and teenagers taking ADHD stimulant medications may have lower bone density, a condition that can increase fracture risk or osteoporosis later in adulthood. The study suggests that these patients may need monitoring of their bone health during treatment.
A University of Florida Health study found that 88% of teens who misused prescription stimulants got them from someone else. The study also highlighted differences in behavior and friend networks between those who exclusively used stimulants non-medically and those who reported both medical and non-medical use.
A study of 382 COPD patients found that acetazolamide did not significantly reduce the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation. The drug was administered to patients with metabolic alkalosis, but its effectiveness in reducing ventilation time was uncertain.
A new review of studies found that psychostimulant treatment for ADHD significantly reduces the risk of anxiety. Higher doses of psychostimulants appear to be associated with a greater reduction in anxiety risk.
A new study at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found no increased risk of cardiovascular side effects or death in children with ADHD and severe heart conditions treated with stimulants. The medication also showed significant improvements in ADHD symptoms. Researchers are next studying the effect on electrocardiograms.
A new study found that long-term stimulant abuse had more significant effects on brain volume in women compared to men. Women who were previously dependent on stimulants showed significant loss of gray matter volume and vast changes in brain structures important for decision making, emotion, and reward-processing.
A new study published in Radiology found that substance abuse has long-term effects on brain volume in women, with significant reductions in gray matter volume in several brain areas. In contrast, men showed no such brain changes after abstinence from stimulant use.
A national study of over 240,000 teens found that prescription stimulant misuse peaks between 16-19 years old. Education programs should start in middle school to prevent such misuse.
A study found that smaller volumes in certain brain regions, such as the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex, predict an increased likelihood of escalating stimulant use. Researchers identified individual differences in brain structure as potential biomarkers for vulnerability to drug addiction.
A case report suggests that taking an unlabeled stimulant like BMPEA in a sports supplement combined with exercise can cause a hemorrhagic stroke. The patient reported sudden numbness and clumsiness after exercising, highlighting the potential risks of untested stimulants in dietary supplements.
TSRI scientists find flakka to be equivalently potent as a stimulant, making it as addictive as MDPV or 'bath salts.' The new drug's chemical difference from its cousin makes it highly dangerous and warrants serious concern among police and health officials.
A recent literature review reveals that 17 percent of college students misuse ADHD stimulant medications, often to boost academic performance. Misuse can lead to serious health risks and legal jeopardy, with recreational use being extremely dangerous.
Researchers identified cocaine and amphetamine users as a higher-risk population for suicidal behaviour, with nearly six percent reporting a suicide attempt in the previous six months. The study suggests that stimulant drugs are associated with impulsive behavior and mood changes, which may contribute to the increased risk.
Young adults who don't attend college are at high risk for non-medical prescription opioid use and disorder, while college-educated peers are more likely to misuse stimulants. The study analyzed data from 36,781 young adults aged 18-22, revealing a significant gap in substance abuse patterns between college graduates and non-graduates.
A UCSF study found that HIV-infected men who use stimulants experience difficulties accessing antiretroviral therapy due to concerns over adherence. However, the research shows that these patients can take their medications reliably with integrated care services.
A nationwide study found a small but statistically significant cardiovascular risk associated with stimulant treatment in children with ADHD. The researchers also reported on the relationship between specific stimulant dose and risk of a cardiovascular event.
Treating ADHD with stimulant medication is associated with lower smoking rates, particularly in those taking the medication consistently. The study analyzed 14 longitudinal studies and found a significant association between stimulant treatment and reduced smoking frequencies.
In a Phase 2a pilot study, Neurovance's EB-1020 SR demonstrated statistically significant improvement in ADHD symptoms and executive functioning deficits. The non-stimulant treatment showed promise as a potential alternative to stimulants for treating adult ADHD.
A study found that nearly one in five Ivy League college students misused prescription stimulants to help them study and write papers. The misuse was often viewed as a common occurrence on campus, with 37% of those who used stimulants believing more than 30% of their peers had done the same.
Researchers found that individuals with high rates of future discounting showed significant reductions in substance use after treatment, suggesting that prioritizing instant gratification may be a hallmark of recovery. A simple cognitive test measuring present-moment bias could help personalize addiction treatments.
Research suggests that mephedrone has a higher potential for developing dependence than MDMA, with users experiencing acute withdrawal symptoms after rapid use. The study found that mephedrone's rapid absorption and high psychostimulant action can lead to increased risk of abuse.
The study discovered impaired neuronal activity in the brain associated with anticipatory functioning among occasional 18- to 24-year-old stimulant users. This finding suggests a potential biomarker for identifying at-risk youth long before they exhibit obvious addictive behaviors.
A new study found that children treated with ADHD stimulants experienced slower BMI growth in early childhood, followed by a rapid BMI rebound in late adolescence. Researchers suggest that stimulant use, rather than ADHD diagnosis alone, is associated with higher BMI and obesity.
A study of 2.5 million children over 14 years found no link between ADHD stimulant medications and increased stroke risk in children with or without stroke. Researchers compared medication usage before and at the time of stroke to assess potential risks.
A new study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that smokers addicted to cocaine or methamphetamine can quit smoking while being treated for their stimulant addiction. The study showed that treating tobacco addiction may reduce negative health consequences and improve substance use disorder treatment outcomes.
Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute found that MDPV, a stimulant in 'bath salts', can induce strong cravings and repetitive behaviors similar to those seen in methamphetamine users. The study suggests MDPV may be more addictive than methamphetamine, with rats working harder to obtain the drug.
A study found that insufficient sleep raises levels of a substance in the body that controls pleasurable eating, leading to increased hunger and appetite. The research suggests that this may be due to an elevation in the endocannabinoid molecule 2-arachidonoylglycerol, which is involved in signaling rewarding events and enjoyment of food.
Designer stimulants, packaged as 'bath salts' or household products, have become a growing concern in the US, with reports of agitation, fast heart rates, and violent behavior. Research suggests that these substances can be deadly, with no formal guidelines for medical treatment of acute toxicity.